Global Strategic Partnerships Director

About the Role The Global Strategic Partnerships Director will be responsible for accelerating the growth in Crane Authentication’s Identity & Verification (ID&V) business by developing strategic partnerships, opening new routes to market, and creating high-value commercial opportunities with secure document ecosystem partners. This role leads partner-led and business development activities for ID&V, with a strong focus on positioning Crane Authentication as a trusted security feature, authentication technology, and identity solution partner within complex government identity ecosystems. The role works closely with regional sales leaders, product management, technology, commercial operations, and external partners to identify, shape, and convert opportunities that strengthen Crane’s position in passports, national ID, secure credentials, digital authentication, and adjacent identity verification markets. Responsibilities Develops and executes the global ID&V partnership and business development strategy, aligned with the GRS & ID growth plan and priority markets.Identifies, assesses, and cultivates strategic partnerships with passport and ID system integrators, secure document providers, technology partners, government contractors, and ecosystem influencers.Creates new routes to market for Crane Authentication’s ID&V portfolio, including partner-led opportunities, component-supplier models, consortium participation, and co-selling arrangements.Builds a qualified pipeline of ID&V opportunities across priority geographies, ensuring clear opportunity ownership, qualification, next steps, and forecast discipline.Influences end-customer specifications and partner solution designs to position Crane Authentication’s security features, authentication technologies, and digital capabilities early in the buying cycle.Leads commercial engagement for selected strategic opportunities, including opportunity strategy, partner alignment, bid positioning, value proposition development, and negotiation support.Develops structured account and partner plans that define target opportunities, stakeholder maps, commercial objectives, relationship plans, and measurable growth outcomes.Supports regional sales teams by bringing ID&V subject matter expertise, partner access, and opportunity-shaping capability into strategic customer engagements.Drives disciplined pipeline reviews, partner progress updates, and business development reporting to the VP, Sales, GRS & ID.Represents Crane Authentication at relevant industry events, partner forums, government identity conferences, and secure document ecosystem meetings.Provides market, customer, and partner insight to inform the ID&V product roadmap, value proposition, and investment priorities.Works closely with Product, Technology, Commercial, and Operations teams to ensure Crane Authentication can deliver competitive, scalable, and commercially attractive ID&V solutions.Develops clear positioning and value-selling materials for ID&V offerings, including secure identity features, physical-digital authentication, digital verification concepts, and component-supplier propositions.Monitors competitor activity, market trends, regulatory developments, tender activity, and partner movements across the identity and secure document ecosystem.Defines priority customer segments and routes to market for ID&V, including direct government engagement, integrator-led opportunities, national printing works, and technology alliances.Translates customer and partner needs into actionable recommendations for product enhancement, pricing, commercial models, sales enablement, and solution packaging.Supports launch planning for new ID&V capabilities, ensuring the commercial team has the messaging, proof points, partner strategy, and customer targets required to win. Experience: 10–15+ years of enterprise or government sales experience in cybersecurity, digital identity, authentication, or related technologies.Proven success selling into government agencies (federal, state, provincial, or national).Experience with authentication technologies (MFA, biometrics, identity proofing, credential management, secure login, risk-based authentication).Strong understanding of revenue agency workflows, e-government portals, tax filing systems, and citizen identity requirements.Demonstrated ability to close multi-million-dollar deals and manage complex, multi-year sales cycles.Experience with government identity programs (digital ID, eID, mobile driver’s license, national ID systems, GIS/G2 systems).Background in cybersecurity architecture, identity access management (IAM), or fraud-prevention ecosystems advantageous.Existing relationships with public-sector integrators and contract vehicles (GSA, cooperative purchasing, framework agreements).Experience managing and motivating high-performing, geographically dispersed sales teams.Experience collaborating with product marketing to shape go-to-market strategy. Skills & Competencies: Strategic thinker with strong operational discipline and a hands-on, results-oriented approach.Strong understanding of the counterfeiting landscape, supply-chain risks, and consumer-product security technologies.Outward looking and expansive in terms of the breadth of opportunity across regulated markets, demonstrating knowledge of tender as well as demand creation.Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills with a record of achieving margin targets and growth metrics.Ability to influence at all levels across government organizations.High integrity, strong understanding of security risk, and commitment to protecting public-sector data.Proactive, driven, and comfortable with mission-critical, high-visibility government programs.Sophisticated interpersonal and influencing skills with key government level decision makers.Culturally aware with experience navigating global business environments.Strong organizational and communication skills, including executive presentation.Proficient in CRM systems (Salesforce preferable) and MS Office Suite.Excellent communication, presentation, and people skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

Crane Authentication is an Equal Employment Opportunity organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Crane Authentication is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.