Sales Executive / Business Development Manager (Defense)

Quick Facts

• Focus areas: Cybersecurity, UAS (drones), and new defense technologies

• Role: Identify, develop, and win new defense/security business opportunities

Description

Lead defense-focused business development and sales activities across cybersecurity, UAS/drones, and emerging defense technologies. Identify and develop new opportunities, build long-term customer relationships, and coordinate complex proposals with technical and operational experts through contract signature. Act as the primary point of contact between customers and the organization’s technical units and support procurement and bidding processes.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and win new business opportunities in the defense and security sector

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with defense customers, government organizations, procurement authorities, and industry partners

• Expand existing customer relationships via strategic business development initiatives

• Develop customer-specific sales strategies and customer care plans

• Lead sales activities from opportunity identification to contract signature

• Coordinate complex bids and offers with technical experts and operational teams

• Serve as primary interface between customers and technical units

• Support tenders, framework agreements, and public procurement processes

• Monitor defense market developments, new technologies, and competitors’ activities

• Represent the organization at defense trade shows, conferences, and customer events

Requirements

• Multi-year successful experience in sales or business development in the defense, aerospace, or security sector

• Strong preference: Military background (e.g., former Bundeswehr) or experience in defense administration/public procurement, or equivalent defense-industry experience

• Solid understanding of defense procurement processes and customer structures

• Knowledge of cybersecurity, defense IT, UAS/drones, autonomous systems, or related defense technologies

• Proven ability to create and coordinate complex commercial offers and customer proposals

• Entrepreneurial mindset, high self-motivation, and strong sense of personal responsibility

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and coordinate multiple stakeholders

• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills

• Strong networking skills and customer-oriented mindset

• Fluent German (C1) and English (C1)

Benefits

• Flexible working hours

• Training and further education opportunities

• Mobile work options

• Health offers

• Subsidy for the Deutschlandticket

• Job bike option

• Company pension plans

• Employee benefits for shopping and fitness studios

• Diversity and inclusion as part of the culture (benefits may vary by location/role/business unit)