Director Strategic Marketing

Job Summary: Reporting to head of Emerging Products division, the Director, Strategic Marketing will shape the Business Unit's long-range market and technology strategy for scale-up, scale-out, scale-across networks, and traditional Datacenter and Enterprise networks as well as maintain a structured view on competitive positioning. 

This role requires a strong understanding of optical networking, data center architectures, and the broader high-speed communications ecosystem, along with the ability to translate market and technology insights into actionable business strategy. The position will work extensively with customers, partners, standards organizations, industry experts, and internal teams across business units. Travel up to 30% is anticipated.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Business Direction

• Own the Transceiver Business Unit's three- to five-year strategic outlook, including market opportunities, technology transitions, market inflection points, and disruptive threats.

• Translate strategic insights into clear recommendations for corporate strategy, portfolio direction, R&D priorities, capital allocation, and executive decision-making.

• Develop strategic scenarios and business cases that support investment decisions, portfolio choices, and long-range growth and profitability objectives.

• Partner with business and functional leaders to establish measurable strategic priorities, milestones, and governance mechanisms, and track progress against them.

Market Intelligence and Competitive Analysis

• Lead market intelligence and strategic analysis, including market sizing, segmentation, competitive assessment, customer needs, and technology adoption forecasting.

• Monitor hyperscalers, neoclouds, systems companies, network equipment manufacturers, switch and ASIC vendors, suppliers, startups, and other ecosystem participants.

• Identify changes in network architectures, standards, customer requirements, supply chains, and competitive positioning that may affect Coherent's growth opportunities.

• Create concise, fact-based analyses and executive-level recommendations for leadership reviews, planning processes, and customer engagements.

• Monitor startups, emerging competitors, adjacent technologies, and potential strategic partners; evaluate acquisition, investment, partnership, licensing, and other opportunities.

• Prepare fact-based assessments of strategic fit, market potential, technical differentiation, execution risk, and expected business impact.

Cross-Business-Unit Strategy and Portfolio Alignment

• Drive alignment and execution across business units by identifying shared technology platforms and common customer requirements.

• Coordinate portfolio synergies and technology roadmaps across lasers, detectors, passive optics, thermal management products, integrated circuits, and related technologies.

• Help define opportunities for platform reuse, vertical integration, differentiated solutions, and improved speed of execution across Coherent's portfolio.

• Facilitate cross-functional decision-making when market opportunities require coordinated action across Product Line Management, R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and Legal.

Strategic Marketing Leadership

• Establish a consistent strategic voice for Coherent across the optical-networking ecosystem and ensure that external messaging is aligned with company strategy and business objectives.

• Partner with Product Marketing, Sales, Communications, and executive leadership to develop positioning, thought leadership, presentations, market-facing content and coordinate demonstrations at trade shows.

• Lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across organizational boundaries without relying solely on direct authority.

• Communicate complex market, technology, and business issues clearly to audiences ranging from technical experts to senior executives.

Education & Experience

• BA or BS in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field required. MBA or advanced technical degree strongly preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in strategic marketing, product management, business strategy, technology strategy, or related leadership roles in optical communications, networking, semiconductors, or a related industry.

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing long-range market, technology, or portfolio strategies in a complex B2B technology environment.

• Strong understanding of data center and optical networking architectures, high-speed optical communications, and relevant customer and supplier ecosystems.

• Proven ability to conduct market and competitive analysis and convert findings into clear strategic recommendations and business actions.

• Experience working with hyperscalers, neoclouds, systems companies, network equipment manufacturers, switch or ASIC vendors, industry consortia, or standards organizations preferred.

Skills 

• Strategic thinker with strong business judgment and the ability to connect market trends, technology transitions, customer requirements, and financial outcomes.

• Ability to work effectively with employees, customers, partners, and industry stakeholders in a multicultural, global environment.

• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, lead through ambiguity, and drive alignment across business units and functions.

• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, written, verbal, communication, and presentation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex issues while maintaining a clear focus on business impact and execution.

• High standard of ethics, professionalism, leadership, collaboration, and accountability.

Working Conditions

• Working conditions typical of a climate controlled and professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, etc.
• Travel up to 30% is anticipated.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.