Director Corporate Development - Automotive & AI

About the Role

In this role you will lead the development of HARMAN's AI‑focused automotive partner ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on in‑car experience, ADAS, and next‑generation intelligent vehicle platforms. You will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and shaping strategic partnerships, venture investments, and M&A opportunities across the United States, China, and Europe.

The position sits at the intersection of technology, strategy, and corporate development, requiring deep market insight, strong technical understanding, and an established network within the global automotive and AI ecosystem. The role will work in close collaboration with Automotive Technology, Product, and Engineering leadership to perform outside‑in analyses of emerging technologies and companies, translating insights into actionable partnership and investment recommendations.

• Continuously screen and assess the global AI and automotive technology landscape, with focus on in‑car experience, ADAS, AI software stacks, data platforms, and enabling technologies.
• Develop a deep understanding of strategies pursued by OEMs, Tier‑1 suppliers, startups, hyperscalers, and AI‑native companies.
• Provide structured, outside‑in market and competitive analyses to senior leadership, highlighting implications for HARMAN's automotive strategy.

• Build and actively manage a strategic partner ecosystem spanning technology partners, startups, and innovation leaders in the AI automotive domain.
• Identify, source, and cultivate high‑impact partnership opportunities aligned with HARMAN's product and technology roadmap.
• Act as a senior external representative of HARMAN in the AI and automotive ecosystem.

• Define and refine investment theses for partnerships, venture investments, and M&A in collaboration with Automotive Technology and Product teams.
• Screen, evaluate, and prioritize potential targets for strategic partnerships, minority investments, and acquisitions.
• Lead or support transaction processes including strategic rationale development, valuation, due diligence, and investment committee preparation.

• Work closely with Automotive Technology, Product Management, Engineering, and Business leaders to ensure strategic alignment.
• Translate technical and market insights into clear strategic recommendations for build / buy / partner decisions.
• Support integration and partnership governance activities post‑transaction where applicable.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• MBA (preferred) with focus in Engineering, Economics, or Strategy.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience, including corporate development, strategy, venture capital, M&A, or partner development.
• Proven track record in partner ecosystem development, venture investments, and/or M&A transactions.
• Strong technical understanding of AI and automotive technologies, particularly in areas such as:
  • In‑car user experience & digital cockpit
  • ADAS and intelligent driving systems
  • AI software platforms, cloud & edge AI, data and perception technologies
• Demonstrated ability to perform outside‑in market analyses and translate insights into strategic recommendations.
• Established network within the automotive, AI, startup, and investment ecosystem, especially across the US, China, and Europe.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in strategy consulting is highly appreciated.

• Experience working with or within OEMs, Tier‑1 suppliers, or AI‑native technology companies.
• Hands‑on exposure to corporate venture capital or strategic partnership governance.
• Prior leadership of cross‑functional initiatives in a global, matrix organization.

• Willingness to travel internationally (up to ~25%) and ability to work flexibly across time zones.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and German.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment.

• Flexible work…