Director of Program Development

Who is Fikst Product Development?

Fikst, a Re:Build Manufacturing company, is a dynamic product development and engineering consulting firm located in Wilmington, MA. We work with pioneering clients to develop their technology, design their products, and bring those products through to production. Fikst's areas of expertise include industrial products, robotics, biomedical instruments and consumables, microfluidics, specialty plastic design, optics, and design for manufacturing. We have extensive in-house laboratory and rapid prototyping capability including CNCs, 3D printers and laser cutters, which help facilitate our ability to prototype and innovate fast. As part of Re:Build Manufacturing, we are able to collaborate with other member sites and leverage a greater network of capabilities such as composites, industrial design, and software.

Who is Re:Build Manufacturing?

Re:Build Manufacturing is rekindling America's manufacturing base and creating meaningful, sustainable jobs in areas that have been deindustrialized over the past 20-30 years. Our strategy is to employ technology, systems, deep financial resources, and best management practices to compete and win as manufacturers in the global market. We are NOT private equity. We do not buy companies with the intention of selling them. Over the next decades, we want to make a difference in the US Manufacturing economy and the communities in which we operate. We believe in the power of people and the long-term competitive advantage that can be derived from helping our employees achieve their fullest potential.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a highly motivated professional experienced in program development and client engagement. WARNING: This is not a typical “biz dev” position. Everything we do is custom. We work on emerging technologies across life sciences, fluidic systems, greentech, and industrial products and collaborate very closely with our clients to commercialize those technologies. We are looking for someone who has had experience as a practicing engineer developing technology-centric hardware products with a passion for connecting with clients, building relationships, and securing programs that our technical team is excited to work on.

What you'll get to do

• Manage opportunities: Initiate and drive communications with prospective clients, manage overall interactions and information flow in the early stages of the client engagement, leverage our CRM system for contact management, tasks, and deal tracking, and work closely with senior leadership to prioritize opportunities.
• Communicate capabilities and understand client needs: Meet with prospective clients, present our overall capabilities, identify the key areas of opportunity, and assess how we can best support the client team.
• Build client relationships: Develop relationships with key decision-makers and collaborators at client organizations considering both the short term opportunities and the longer term relationship.
• Develop and present proposals: In collaboration with the technical project team, prepare and present proposals, statements of work, and presentations to prospective clients, highlighting our value proposition, technical capabilities, and competitive advantages.
• Initiate and manage legal document execution: Collaborate with the legal team and Fikst leadership to ensure timely execution of NDAs, MSAs, and finalized contracts.
• Negotiate and close program opportunities: Work with the technical project teams and senior leadership to negotiate and close program opportunities.
• Stay connected to project work and advocate for client relationship building: Be engaged and aware of the execution of the various projects. Be an advocate for the mutual success of the engagement throughout the life of the project and for the establishment of a long term client relationship.
• Use your network: Use your network of companies, individuals, and collaborators to expand the awareness of our offering and find opportunities for program engagement.

What you bring to the Team

• Experience: 8+ years in a product development environment. Consulting and/or business development experience is a plus.
• Education: Bachelor Science Degree in engineering or technical field, or equivalent degree, coupled with required experience. 
• Technical Knowledge: First-hand understanding of early-stage technology development and product commercialization, life sciences experience is a plus.
• Passion for business: A true passion to land programs that the technical team is excited to work on and that contribute to the Fikst business. 
• Industry Network and Knowledge: Knowledge of relevant industries and a network of contacts.
• Communication/People Skills: Versatile and professional communication skills - verbal and written - with the ability to articulate sophisticated technical content in a clear and concise manner.
• Team Orientation: An intrinsic desire to work and complete tasks as a team which includes jumping in to support and advise others when needed.

The BIG payoff

We are a company that is going to make a difference in the industries and the communities in which we choose to operate.

Every employee of Re:Build will share ownership in the company and share in the financial rewards of the success we achieve together, at all company levels!

We want to work with people that reflect the communities in which we operate

Re:Build Manufacturing is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Re:Build is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at accommodations.ta@ReBuildmanufacturing.com or you may call us at 617.909.6275.