Location: Seoul (remote, anywhere in Korea), Korea, Republic of
The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a philanthropically powered, science-based think tank and international network advancing alternative proteins (APs) to meet global climate, health, food security, and biodiversity goals. GFI Asia Pacific (GFI APAC) collaborates with scientists, corporates, and policymakers to make plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. GFI is currently establishing GFI Korea as a focus country office; until it is formalized, initiatives may run under the GFI APAC brand, and this role is one of the first hires building the team on the ground.
The Corporate Engagement Lead will drive growth in Korea's biomanufacturing and alternative protein ecosystem, partnering with conglomerates, VCs, and startups to build a sustainable food system. You will lead GFI's private-sector strategy in Korea, working with business leaders and investors to overcome market barriers, implement impactful initiatives, and exchange best practices globally, including securing public funding for commercial scale-up infrastructure. As a senior leader in an entrepreneurial nonprofit you will set the strategic direction of the industry workstream in Korea with significant autonomy.
Key responsibilities: identify systemic alternative protein scale-up barriers across ingredients, manufacturing, infrastructure, supply chains, investment, commercialization, and consumer access; determine priority interventions for the Korean ecosystem using market insights, industry data, and stakeholder input; develop initiatives and mobilize resources and partnerships to improve the taste, price, and accessibility of alternative proteins; work with the Policy Specialist to turn industry needs into policy recommendations and a multi-year strategy to unlock government funding; establish GFI Korea as a credible, evidence-based partner and build relationships across food-tech, biotech, and AP value chains with conglomerates, suppliers, CDMOs, investors, accelerators, and startups; represent GFI Korea at industry events, forums, and in the media; track industry and investment landscape developments and report into GFI platforms; collaborate with GFI APAC's Head of Corporate Engagement and global teams; and support programmatic budgeting and corporate engagement spending with the Operations Manager.
Minimum qualifications: at least 7 years of professional experience in business development, corporate strategy, marketing, management consulting, VC investment, or innovation roles for food or biotech companies; a bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, biotechnology/bioengineering, food science/engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field; deep understanding of Korea's food and/or green bio industry landscapes; proven ability to engage senior corporate stakeholders and influence decision-makers; strong analytical, project management, and organizational skills; native-level Korean fluency and business-level English proficiency. Preferred: experience in the alternative protein ecosystem, comfort working remotely across time zones in an international nonprofit, and strong alignment with GFI's mission.
Terms: full-time, with a 6-month probation before possible transition to a permanent role. Reports to the Director of Strategy & Programs, Korea. Location flexible anywhere in Korea (remote), with weekly co-working days for Seoul-based staff and two in-person full-team meetings a year. Annual salary 100-130 million KRW depending on experience. Benefits include statutory health, pension, workers' compensation and employment insurance per Korean regulations, generous paid and unpaid leave, medical, dental and well-being support, and professional development support. Candidates must have right-to-work and travel permissions in Korea by their start date; visas are not sponsored. Anticipated start date December 2026 - January 2027.
Application deadline: 6 September, 2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Complete the online application form (https://form.asana.com/?k=VpnGMlhH1Lds3nf28VeCWw&d=167772284987522) and upload your CV. Application deadline: 6 September, 2026. Process: screening call; a timed 2-3 hour written assignment; first interview with GFI APAC team members; final interview with GFI APAC leadership; reference check with two referees. Applicants are asked to prepare their application in their own voice.