Why Join Shape?
At Shape, we are building partnerships with the world's most innovative companies and helping create the products and technologies that will define the future. This role offers the opportunity to work alongside a customer that continuously reimagines what is possible across mobility, intelligence, energy, automation, and beyond.
If you are energized by innovation, inspired by transformative technology, and motivated to help shape the future of multiple industries, we want to hear from you.
Position Summary:
Shape Corp is seeking an exceptional Global Key Account Director (GKAD) to lead one of our most strategically important global customer relationships. This role is designed for a business leader who thrives at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, mobility innovation, energy storage systems, and disruptive technology.
The GKAD serves as the enterprise owner of the customer business system, integrating commercial strategy, customer influence, operational execution, financial performance, and long-term growth into a single accountable leadership role. This individual will partner with a globally recognized innovation leader that is redefining industries through connected mobility, autonomous technologies, AI-enabled products, energy infrastructure, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
Success in this role requires an individual who is energized by rapid change, willing to challenge conventional thinking, and capable of shaping opportunities years before they become formal sourcing decisions. The ideal candidate is motivated by the opportunity to help Shape become a critical strategic partner to a company building the future.
Why This Role Matters
This is not a traditional automotive account management position.
The customer is undergoing one of the most ambitious transformations in modern industry- evolving from a vehicle manufacturer into a broader technology ecosystem focused on:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Autonomous transportation systems
- Energy generation, storage, and distribution
- Advanced manufacturing technologies
- Connected infrastructure and mobility platforms
- Aerospace-adjacent and next-generation technology opportunities
As a result, the GKAD must think beyond traditional vehicle programs and develop strategies that position Shape to participate across multiple future growth platforms.
This role offers a unique opportunity to help define Shape's future with a customer that continues to reshape entire industries and challenge established business models.
Key Responsibilities:
Enterprise Account Leadership
- Own the global business relationship and long-term growth strategy.
- Serve as the primary integration point between customer strategy, commercial growth, operational execution, and financial performance.
- Develop and execute multi-year account plans that align with Shape's strategic objectives.
- Lead global account governance and executive engagement processes.
Strategic Growth & Opportunity Development
- Identify emerging business opportunities before formal sourcing activities begin.
- Build influence with executive, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and product development stakeholders.
- Develop growth strategies that extend beyond current product portfolios into future technologies and adjacent markets.
- Position Shape as a preferred innovation partner through early engagement and strategic collaboration.
Commercial & Financial Leadership
- Maintain accountability for revenue growth, profitability, margin performance, and strategic account health.
- Lead commercial negotiations and business case development.
- Balance opportunity pursuit with disciplined financial decision-making.
- Ensuring account growth aligns with enterprise profitability objectives.
Cross-Functional Integration
- Align engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, finance, and program management around customer priorities.
- Drive organizational responsiveness and execution excellence.
- Eliminate internal barriers that limit growth or customer satisfaction.
- Ensure commercial commitments translate into successful operational outcomes.
Executive Influence
- Cultivate executive-level relationships throughout the customer's global organization.
- Anticipate shifts in technology, strategy, and market direction.
- Serve as Shape's chief advocate and strategist for the account.
- Provide market intelligence and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Requirements:
What We Are Looking For
Required Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Technology, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic account management, business development, commercial leadership, or general management.
- Demonstrated success managing complex global customer relationships.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization.
- Strong commercial, financial, and negotiation capabilities.
- Ability to travel globally as needed.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience supporting highly innovative technology-driven customers.
- Knowledge of advanced manufacturing environments.
- Exposure to mobility, automation, energy, AI, robotics, industrial technology, or aerospace markets.
- MBA or advanced technical degree.
- Experience working with rapidly scaling organizations and high-growth business models.
Success Profile:
The ideal candidate:
- Thinks like an enterprise business leader rather than a traditional salesperson.
- Is energized by ambiguity, disruption, and rapid market evolution.
- Demonstrates curiosity about emerging technologies and future industries.
- Influences without authority and creates alignment across diverse stakeholders.
- Identifies opportunities before competitors recognize them.
- Balances strategic vision with disciplined execution.
- Makes high-quality decisions in fast-changing environments.
- Builds deep trust with executive-level decision makers.
- Sees customer ecosystems, not just customer programs.
- Is motivated by helping Shape participate in transformational growth opportunities.
Key Leadership Competencies:
