Director, European & Allied Defense Business Development

Director, European & Allied Defense Business Development
Location: U.S. Remote (HQ based in Texas)

A high-growth space technology company is redefining how organisations access and apply high-resolution Earth observation data. By simplifying satellite imagery and advanced analytics, this business enables governments, enterprises, and operational users to make faster, better-informed decisions using space-based intelligence.

With increasing demand across defense and intelligence communities, the company is expanding its international footprint and is seeking a senior commercial leader to drive growth across European and Allied defense markets.

The Opportunity

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for building and scaling European and Allied defense business development efforts. You will establish and expand relationships across Ministries of Defense, Allied Command structures, and multinational coalitions, ensuring mission-aligned delivery of geospatial and space-enabled capabilities.

You will shape opportunities early, influence acquisition pathways, and lead pursuits from initial engagement through contract award and long-term account expansion.

Key responsibilities include:

• Building and maintaining senior-level relationships across NATO structures, European Ministries of Defense, national program offices, and operational units

• Identifying and influencing RFIs, RFPs, framework agreements, multinational funding initiatives, and coalition capability programs aligned to geospatial, ISR, and space-based mission needs

• Leading account strategy and capture planning in collaboration with product, engineering, and program management teams

• Driving pursuits from early positioning through award, including teaming strategy, proposal input, pricing coordination, and executive engagement

• Representing the organisation at multinational exercises, demonstrations, defense conferences, and industry forums

• Delivering structured market and competitive intelligence, including analysis of funding streams, capability gaps, coalition priorities, and policy shifts impacting European defense acquisition

• Establishing a regional presence from the ground up, building long-term trust with operators, procurement authorities, and defense leadership across multiple member states

This role reports directly to the Head of Government.

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of experience selling geospatial, space, ISR, or defense technology into European or Allied Ministries of Defense

• Demonstrated ownership of regional pipeline development and account growth

• Strong understanding of NATO structures and European defense procurement pathways, including framework agreements, multinational funding mechanisms, and national acquisition processes

• Proven experience navigating complex, multi-country stakeholder environments

• Track record of shaping and closing multi-year defense contracts or framework agreements, including early-stage positioning prior to formal tenders

• Ability to identify operational capability gaps and translate them into actionable capture strategies

• Experience operating within multinational exercises, coalition task forces, and evolving European security environments

• Willingness to travel extensively across Europe and NATO member nations

• Executive presence with senior military officers and defense officials, balanced with the ability to engage operational users and technical stakeholders

• Independent, self-starting mindset with the ability to build regional credibility from the ground up

• Fluency in English required, additional European languages highly advantageous

What’s on Offer

• Base salary: $150,000 to $170,000

• On-target earnings: $250,000 to $290,000

• Equity potential

• Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 20 days paid time off plus parental leave

• Regular international travel and exposure to senior defense stakeholders

• The opportunity to help scale a mission-driven, space-enabled platform across European and Allied defense markets

This is a rare opportunity to build and own a regional defense business development function within a fast-scaling space technology company. If you thrive in multinational environments, enjoy shaping strategy before formal tenders are released, and want to contribute to the evolution of coalition-enabled space capabilities, this role offers significant ownership and impact.