Senior Director, Head of WD Capital

Western Digital is seeking a Senior Director to lead and own WD Capital, the company's corporate venture capital (CVC) arm. This individual will serve as the primary owner of WD Capital's strategy and execution: managing and adding value to the existing investment portfolio, building a thesis-driven pipeline of early-stage, strategically relevant companies, and leading the full investment lifecycle across sourcing, diligence, structuring, negotiation, closing, and ongoing portfolio governance. The role requires a rare combination of venture investing experience, technical depth, and the credibility to operate as a trusted partner to business and technical leaders, as well as the executive team. •       Portfolio Ownership & Management:  Own the existing WD Capital portfolio end-to-end; monitor performance, support portfolio companies, manage board/observer seats, evaluate follow-on investment decisions, and drive exit and liquidity outcomes. •       Pipeline Development:  Build and continuously refresh a thesis-driven pipeline of early-stage companies aligned to Western Digital's strategic and technology priorities. •       Investment Thesis Development:  Partner with business leaders, CTO’s office, and Corporate Strategy to develop, test, and evolve investment theses that create strategic value for Western Digital. •       Deal Leadership (Soup-to-Nuts):  Personally lead sourcing, screening, due diligence, valuation, deal structuring, negotiation, and closing for all new investment opportunities. •       Executive & Investment Committee Engagement:  Prepare and present investment recommendations, portfolio reviews, and market insights to the Investment Committee and executive leadership. •       Ecosystem & Relationship Building:  Cultivate a strong network across the venture ecosystem (investors, institutional VCs, founders, and accelerators) to ensure strong deal flow and syndicate access. •       Program Strategy & Governance:  Define and evolve WD Capital's investment strategy, governance framework, and operating processes; establish WD Capital as a best-in-class CVC program. •       Market & Technology Intelligence:  Track startup, technology, and competitive landscape trends relevant to Western Digital's markets and translate them into actionable investment and strategic insights. •       Cross-Functional Partnership:  Work closely with Legal, Finance, Corporate Strategy, and Business leadership to align investments with corporate objectives and ensure disciplined execution. •      Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline required (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related field). •      12+ years of relevant experience spanning venture capital and/or corporate venture capital, with direct experience having led or built a corporate venture capital program or fund. •      Prior experience working within an institutional venture capital fund (e.g., as an investor progressing through Associate, Principal, or Partner-track roles). •      Demonstrated track record independently sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and closing early-stage technology investments from start to finish. •      Experience managing a portfolio of venture investments, including board/observer responsibilities and follow-on/exit decision-making. •      Strong financial modeling, valuation, and deal structuring skills, with sound judgment on risk and strategic fit. •      Deep familiarity with technology sectors relevant to Western Digital (storage, semiconductors, data infrastructure, AI/ML infrastructure, or adjacent deep tech domains). •      Executive presence and strong written/verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership, investment committees, or boards. •      Esta