Business Development Manager - Security and Defense Sector

AW Connect; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 457,000 - 547,000; Full time

Job summary

AW Connect in Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced Business Development Manager to drive growth in the defense, security and aerospace sectors across the Middle East. You will identify, develop and close opportunities in naval, aerospace, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure domains.

You will manage stakeholder relationships with defense ministries, OEMs and government entities, lead proposals and bids, and foster strategic partnerships to deliver integrated defense solutions.

Qualifications

• Degree required in engineering or related field with relevant master preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in business development, defense, aerospace or maritime sectors.
• Strong network within Middle Eastern defense and government sectors.
• Proven track record in securing large contracts and government deals.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation and proposal writing skills.
• Ability to travel across the region as needed.

Responsibilities

• Market Expansion & Strategy: Identify and pursue new opportunities aligned with defense capabilities (naval, aerospace, cybersecurity, and system integration).
• Develop regional business development plan with KPIs and growth targets.
• Monitor defense budgets, tenders, and policy shifts within GCC and broader MENA region.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Build relationships with defense ministries, government entities, OEMs and private contractors.
• Lead the preparation of proposals RFIs/RFQs and commercial offers with technical and legal teams.
• Negotiate contracts and ensure alignment with internal policies and market standards.
• Partnerships & Alliances: Develop strategic partnerships to deliver integrated solutions; represent at defense exhibitions and forums.
• Market Intelligence & Reporting: Maintain market intelligence, competitor analysis, and provide monthly sales forecasts.

Skills

System Engineering

Naval Support

Aerospace & Space

Cyber & Infrastructure

Strategic Partnerships

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business or related field

Job description

Job Description

Our client is seeking an experienced and driven Business Development Manager to spearhead growth in the defense security and aerospace sector across the Middle East. This role is critical to identifying developing and securing new business opportunities in naval aerospace cybersecurity and critical infrastructure domains. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of defense procurement cycles excellent stakeholder management skills and a passion for innovation in engineering and certification services.

Industry: Defense & Engineering

Focus Region: Middle East

Engagement Type: Integrated Defense Solutions

Salary: AED 45000per month

Key Capabilities

• System Engineering: Architecture integration testing and configuration across platforms
• Naval Support: Combat systems safety engineering HMI EMC logistics
• Aerospace & Space: Ground systems remote sensing onboard equipment
• Cyber & Infrastructure: Cybersecurity homeland security infrastructure resilience
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations in composite materials and maritime certification

Key Responsibilities

• Market Expansion & Strategy
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities aligned with the companys defense capabilities: naval engineering aerospace & space cybersecurity and system integration.
  • Develop and execute a regional business development plan with clear KPIs and growth targets.
  • Monitor defense budgets tenders and policy shifts within Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and broader MENA region.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build and nurture relationships with defense ministries government entities OEMs and private contractors.
  • Act as a trusted advisor presenting the companyssolutions with a deep understanding of client challenges and operational environments.
• Proposal & Bid Management
  • Lead the preparation of proposals RFIs/RFQs and commercial offers in collaboration with technical and legal teams.
  • Negotiate contracts and ensure alignment with internal policies and market standards.
• Partnerships & Alliances
  • Support the development and management of strategic partnerships to codevelop and deliver integrated solutions.
  • Represent the company at defense exhibitions industry forums and regional events.
• Market Intelligence & Reporting
  • Maintain uptodate market intelligence competitor analysis and risk assessments.
  • Provide monthly sales forecasts and strategic insights to the regional leadership team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering Business or related field.
• Minimum 710 years of experience in business development preferably in the defense aerospace or maritime sectors.
• Strong network within Middle Eastern defense and government sectors.
• Proven track record in securing largescale contracts and government deals.
• Excellent negotiation presentation and proposal writing skills.
• Ability to travel across the region as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with naval combat systems space programs cybersecurity etc.
• Arabic language skills a plus.
• Experience with international engineering/consultancy firms is highly desirable.

Required Experience

Manager