Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the Board – Autonomous EV Fleets & Robotics

Location: United States (Remote / Travel as needed for board meetings)

Time Commitment: Approx. 2–3 days per month (higher during funding/M&A cycles)

Client: ReachX client engagement

About the Company

Our client is a high-growth robotics pioneer delivering hands-free, autonomous charging solutions for electric vehicle (EV) fleets.

• Product: Its flagship solution features an AI-driven robotic arm mounted on an overhead rail using soft robotics and computer vision to automatically detect charging ports and plug in without human intervention. The unit operates across all EV types, connector standards, and charger brands, achieving a >99.9% plug-in success rate in live deployments.

• Market: Primary focus is on robotaxi and autonomous depot operations, with plans expanding toward a broader depot automation platform (including interior cleaning and inspection).

• Funding & Stage: ~$56M raised to date (backed by premier international VCs, corporate venture units, and public investment banks).

• Next Phase: Transitioning from validated pilots to volume rollout across North America and Europe scheduled for 2027.

Role Purpose

The Chair will guide the Board and executive leadership as the business transitions from a venture-backed deep-tech innovator into a scaled global industrial enterprise.

We are seeking a US-based Non-Executive Chair with proven leadership in the robotic, electric vehicle (EV) fleet, or autonomous vehicle (AV) sectors. The Chair will run an effective board, advise the CEO, unlock commercial doors across North American fleet operators and automotive OEMs, and shepherd major capital transactions (Series B, growth capital, and M&A).

Key Responsibilities

Domain Leadership, Strategy & High-Stakes Decision-Making

• EV & Robotics Strategy: Lead the Board in evaluating and approving key strategic decisions as the company transitions from depot pilots to mass commercial rollout in autonomous EV fleet markets.

• Platform Expansion: Shape critical strategic choices regarding platform extensions (depot automation, interior cleaning, inspection), pricing models, and contract manufacturing partnerships.

• Commercial Access: Leverage executive connections within the EV fleet, robotaxi, and automotive ecosystem to connect the company with major autonomous fleet operators, vehicle OEMs, and energy/infrastructure players.

Fundraising, Capital & M&A

• Fundraising Leadership: Architect and lead the strategy for upcoming growth capital rounds (Series B and beyond), helping secure high-caliber US and international lead investors across mobility, deep-tech, and energy funds.

• M&A & Strategic Transactions: Spearhead the Board’s evaluation and execution of potential M&A opportunities, strategic joint ventures, OEM partnerships, and long-term exit strategies.

• Investor Alignment: Maintain alignment across a diverse global cap table spanning institutional VCs, corporate venture arms, and strategic backers.

Board Governance & Leadership

• Board Operations: Chair Board meetings (6–8 annually), establishing agendas focused squarely on commercial strategy, risk mitigation, operational scale-up, and value creation.

• Board Composition: Design the optimal balance of executive, investor, and independent seats, establishing required sub-committees (Audit, Remuneration, Nomination).

• Governance Standards: Maintain reporting, safety, and compliance standards expected by growth investors, automotive OEM partners, and potential acquirers.

Executive Partnership & Mentorship

• CEO Partner: Serve as an authoritative sounding board, mentor, and sparring partner for the CEO without stepping into day-to-day executive execution.

• Executive Recruitment: Lead annual CEO performance reviews and support senior US hiring (CFO, US Managing Director, Vice President of Scale-Up Operations).

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience & Expertise

• EV Fleet, AV, or Robotics Sector Expertise: Significant executive or board-level experience within electric vehicle (EV) fleets, autonomous vehicles (AV/robotaxis), robotics, or smart charging/depot infrastructure.

• US Base & Geographic Footprint: Based in the United States with extensive networks throughout the North American mobility, tech, and industrial ecosystems.

• Board Leadership: Demonstrated success as Chair or Non-Executive Director of a venture-backed or PE-backed technology/hardware company navigating commercial scale-up.

• Fundraising & M&A Track Record: Proven record guiding growth-stage technology or industrial companies through major capital raises, strategic OEM investments, or M&A transactions.

• Industry Network: Direct relationships with robotaxi operators, EV fleet managers, automotive OEMs, utility/charging infrastructure leads, or mobility growth investors.

Desirable Criteria

• Track record taking a deep-tech hardware or robotics product from pilot phase to high-volume manufacturing and deployment.

• First-hand operational knowledge of robotaxi depot environments and automated infrastructure dynamics.

• Experience managing transatlantic expansion models between North America and Europe.

Personal Qualities

• Strategic Independence: Able to offer constructive, high-value challenge to both the executive team and institutional investors.

• Consensus Builder: Skillful at uniting founders, venture capital partners, and corporate strategic backers.

• Low-ego, discreet, and deeply focused on long-term enterprise value generation.

Engagement Terms

• Title: Independent Non-Executive Chair of the Board – Autonomous EV Fleets & Robotics

• Location Requirements: US-based

• Time Commitment: ~2–3 days per month (higher during fundraising or M&A cycles).

• Meetings: 6–8 meetings per year (mix of in-person travel and remote).

• Tenure: 3-year initial term (renewable).

• Compensation: Annual retainer fee plus equity allocation (vesting over the term) aligned with growth-stage benchmarks.

First 12 Months: Success Metrics

1. Establish a formal Board calendar, sub-committee structure, and growth-stage reporting pack within the first two quarters.

2. Challenge and approve the comprehensive scale-up plan for the 2027 North American autonomous fleet rollout.

3. Launch and guide the next funding round targeting premier North American and global growth capital/mobility investors.

4. Support the successful recruitment of key executive talent (including CFO and US operational leadership).

5. Facilitate at least two high-level introductions resulting in commercial negotiations with major robotaxi operators, EV fleet managers, or automotive OEMs.

Activity: Interim COO, Other Specialist, Portfolio Manager/CIO, C-Level Growth, Investor Relations Professional, Corporate Finance Advisor, Interim CFO/Controller, Strategy Consultant, Risk Manager

Sector: Financial Services, Fintech, Business Services, Artificial Intelligence, Robotic, Clean Tech, Materials, Mobility, Cybersecurity, Automotive, IOT, Industry, Technology, Machine learning, Cloud, Infrastructure, Software, Big data, Transport

Skills: Investor Relations, Negotiation, Due Diligence , Financial Analysis, Portfolio Management, Deal Sourcing, Digital Transformation, Strategic Planning, Risk Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Finance, Business Planning, Project Management, Financial Forecasting, Consulting, Financial Modelling, Project Implementation, Market Segmentation, Pre-deal Analysis

Years of Experience: 5-9 years, 10-14 years, 15+ years, 0-4 years

Region: EU, USA, Europe - non EU, UK, Global, Other