(Senior) Manager, Business Development

SES is looking for a Senior Sales Professional to elaborate business development cases for new devel-opment, diversification, and partnership programs, aligned with our strategy, to support and drive the growth of our SES business.

The role involves leading interactions with European governments and organizations, building strategic partnerships while securing funding opportunities for innovation projects and generating revenue pipelines. 

Additionally, the incumbent will oversee the preparation and delivery of proposals by managing multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams, leading contract negotiations, and ensuring a smooth transition to the project and services team following contract signature.

The incumbent will advocate for SES products and services, represent the company at industry events, and work closely with both internal and external stakeholders to assist in preparing the annual budget.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Be responsible for building business development cases for new development, diversification, and partnership programs, focused on Innovation, in relations with SES Techcom strategic business lines such as Quantum Safe Network, European Navigation systems (Galileo / EGNOS), GovSatCom Solution or non-terrestrial 5G/6G.

• Lead interactions with European Governments (Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany as example), and supranational organizations (ESA, EUSPA, EMSA, European Commission) while promoting new products & services solutions.

• Lead multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams to build comprehensive proposals for commercial and publicly funded programs.

• Build strategic partnerships with the relevant industry stakeholders (technology partners, startups, univer-sities and research centres, customers and suppliers).

• Ensure that business requirements for innovation programs are understood and integrated into the tech-nology and product/service roadmap.

• Drive the acquisition of national and international funding opportunities to facilitate development of complex innovation projects

• Oversee engagement with key stakeholders, including managing customer relationships.

• Generate mid to long-term revenues pipeline and backlog in line with SES Techcom and SES Product and Innovation department objectives.

• Screen markets and tendering channels for relevant industry trends and feedback customer and market requirements into the organisation, with a particular focus on European Institutions business.

• Promote SES and SES Techcom new products and services in the market, coordinating the related marketing support as required, and represent SES and SES Techcom at exhibitions, trade shows and conferences.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD, or equivalent) in a relevant scientific, engineering, or business discipline. 
• Minimum 7-10 years of relevant professional experience.
• 5 years of demonstrated success in managing highly complex bids and projects within both commercial and institutional environments.
• Knowledgeable about the dynamics of the environment and the public procurement systems associated with institutional tenders.
• Experience managing P&Ls and financial data relevant for business cases, and revenue and backlog reporting.
• Existing contacts and relationships in the civil and/or defence administrations on national or pan-regional levels.
• Experience in working with the European Commission and/or the European Space Agency (ESA).
• Fluency in English; any other EU language is considered an asset.
• Willing to travel internationally.
• Eligibility for ESA/EU/NATO SECRET clearances is necessary. Candidate must be willing to undergo a security clearance procedure as this position might require holding a security clearance.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to lead cross-functional proposal teams and combine individual responsibilities to achieve successful outcomes.
• Ability to understand and implement long-term strategic plans, develop business plans, and effectively manage and empower necessary resources.
• Innovative spirit, proactive approach towards new technical solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), ability to interact with partners at all levels.
• Strong teamwork skills, with the ability to build and lead internal and external teams by leveraging diverse skill sets and coordinating team members in their respective roles. 
• Communication and influencing, ability to compile, interpret and present information on complex and important issues. 
• Proactive approach towards existing and potential customers.
• Sense of initiative and a can-do attitude. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and in a team.