Director of Business Development

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe.

Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission-critical communications.

We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense, you'll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real-world impact across today's most critical missions.

What You'll Do:

In this role, you will lead strategic business development and growth initiatives focused on the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and broader maritime defense mission environment. You will be responsible for developing qualified pipeline, strengthening executive-level customer relationships, and positioning SES Space & Defense to win complex opportunities supporting resilient communications, maritime networking, ISR, tactical data transport, and space-enabled operational capabilities. This role operates at the intersection of customer engagement, capture strategy, and mission solution development, partnering closely with internal technical, operational, and executive teams to shape and close opportunities aligned to Navy modernization priorities and evolving operational requirements.

• Build and execute Navy and maritime-focused business development and account growth strategies
• Develop and maintain qualified pipeline across Navy, Marine Corps, NAVWAR, NAVSEA, NAVAIR, Fleet Forces, Combatant Commands, and allied maritime organizations
• Lead opportunity qualification, customer engagement planning, and competitive positioning activities
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with government, military, and industry stakeholders
• Support capture strategy, proposal development, pricing discussions, and win strategy execution from qualification through award
• Identify emerging opportunities tied to maritime SATCOM, tactical networking, resilient communications, ISR, and space-enabled operational capabilities
• Coordinate closely with engineering, operations, contracts, finance, and leadership teams to align customer needs with technical solutions
• Represent SES Space & Defense at customer engagements, industry conferences, exercises, and strategic events
• Support development of strategic partnerships and teaming arrangements with industry partners and integrators
• Maintain accurate pipeline forecasting, CRM hygiene, and executive reporting related to opportunity status and growth activities

Who You Are:

You are a strategic business development leader with deep experience supporting Navy, maritime, or defense-related mission environments and a proven ability to develop and close complex government opportunities. You understand how operational requirements, acquisition strategy, and mission needs intersect, and you are comfortable engaging both technical and executive-level stakeholders across government and industry organizations. You bring strong customer relationships, capture discipline, and market awareness across areas such as SATCOM, tactical networking, maritime operations, ISR, or resilient communications architectures. You are highly collaborative and able to work across matrixed engineering, operations, and leadership teams to shape solutions and advance strategic pursuits. Ultimately, you help position SES Space & Defense as a trusted mission partner by driving growth, strengthening customer relationships, and aligning capabilities to evolving maritime defense priorities.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• 10-15+ years of experience in business development, capture, strategic sales, or growth leadership within defense, aerospace, SATCOM, or government technology sectors
• Demonstrated success supporting Navy, Marine Corps, NAVWAR, NAVSEA, NAVAIR, DoD, or allied maritime defense opportunities
• Strong understanding of government acquisition processes, contract vehicles, and federal procurement lifecycle
• Experience managing large, complex opportunity pipelines and strategic pursuits
• Familiarity with maritime communications, SATCOM, afloat networking, resilient communications, or space-enabled operational systems
• Strong executive presence with the ability to build trusted customer and partner relationships
• Experience collaborating across technical, operational, financial, legal, and contracts organizations
• Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI preferred or ability to obtain and maintain

SES Space and Defense is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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