Senior Director, Strategy & Corporate Development

Lightwave Logic (Nasdaq: LWLG) is a publicly traded materials development company that is conducting cutting-edge work to commercialize its proprietary organic nonlinear polymers for a variety of electro-optic devices and pushing the state of the art in high-speed fiber-optic telecom and data communications. Our development roadmap is designed to disrupt the industry by introducing organic modulators and related photonic integrated circuits that offer superior speed, lower power consumption, and smaller size compared to current technologies. Our materials are extendable into other applications, including sensors and quantum computing. Overview We are seeking an experienced Senior Director, Strategy and Corporate Development, responsible for shaping corporate strategy and owning the corporate development agenda for a growth-stage electro-optic materials and photonics technology company advancing toward broad commercial adoption. The role leads long-range strategic planning, evaluation of inorganic growth options (acquisitions, strategic investments, and partnerships), competitive and market intelligence, and executive- and board-level decision support. It pairs disciplined strategic analysis with the technical credibility needed to assess complex technology choices and translate them into executable business initiatives. Responsibilities Corporate Strategy Lead corporate and business-unit strategy development — long-range planning, growth priorities, and the strategic roadmap supporting the company’s transition from early commercialization to scaled commercial adoption. Translate market and technology insight into a clear, board-endorsed strategic narrative with a sequenced set of milestones and decision points surfaced for board approval. Corporate Development & M&A Own the corporate development agenda: identify, screen, and prioritize acquisition, investment, and partnership opportunities that strengthen the technology position, IP portfolio, and competitive moat. Lead M&A processes end-to-end — target identification, strategic-fit assessment, technical and IP due diligence, valuation framing, negotiation support, and post-transaction integration planning. Develop business cases, market assessments, and executive recommendations to support investment decisions, portfolio choices, and strategic resource allocation. Market & Competitive Intelligence Conduct competitive landscape and market analysis to inform positioning, product direction, and strategic response plans. Independently scrutinize third-party and company-sourced market data so that strategy rests on defensible, primary-source-grounded assumptions. Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Build and manage relationships with strategic partners and ecosystem stakeholders to validate market opportunities and accelerate go-to-market execution. Develop business cases for joint solution opportunities and manage delivery to market with partners. Executive & Board Engagement Advise the CEO, executive team, and board on strategic options, risk trade-offs, technology direction, and business transformation opportunities. Represent strategy, business direction, and competitive positioning to internal leadership, the board, and external stakeholders across geographies. Cross-functional Execution Lead cross-functional alignment across product, engineering, and commercial functions to ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives. Guide complex initiatives that combine business strategy, customer requirements, and technology capability into differentiated positions. IP & Standards Positioning Contribute to IP-portfolio strategy and the company’s positioning in relevant industry and standards forums to protect and extend its competitive moat. Qualifications 20+ years of progressive leadership in technology strategy, corporate development, or business transformation. Demonstrated experience leading or supporting M&A — target assessment, due diligence, negotiation support, and integration. Proven strength in strategic planning, business case development, and competitive/market analysis. Track record of influencing C-suite and senior stakeholders across multiple geographies and business functions. Experience building, mentoring, and scaling technical or strategic teams in matrixed, cross-cultural environments. Demonstrated strategic partnership and ecosystem development experience. Executive MBA (or equivalent business education) combined with an engineering or technical foundation. Benefits Lightwave Logic offers a highly competitive compensation package including stock options, as well as comprehensive benefits including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage (employee and family), a generous PTO policy, $500/year(prorated) company contribution to your medical FSA, and a 401K (safe harbor,4% match). EEO Statement Lightwave Logic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Show more Show less