Senior Staff BD Account Executive - Autonomy Specialist (R5001)

The Rundown AI, Inc.; Abu Dhabi; Sur place; AED 300 000 - 450 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Shield AI seeks a Business Development/Account Executive focused on driving growth for Hivemind Autonomy across the UAE, particularly within defense and government sectors. This role involves managing the sales lifecycle, developing capture strategies, and fostering customer relationships.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in business development within complex domains and must be fluent in Arabic and English. Strong skills in negotiation and stakeholder management are essential. This position offers a competitive compensation package in line with your country office location.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in business development, sales, or capture roles in complex domains.
• Proven track record of owning and closing deals in UAE government or defense markets.
• Deep understanding of defense acquisition processes and government procurement lifecycle.

Responsabilités

• Own and drive the full sales lifecycle for Hivemind opportunities across assigned accounts.
• Develop and execute territory and capture strategies for priority pursuits.
• Identify, qualify, and shape new business opportunities.

Connaissances

Business development

Sales

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Technical aptitude

Fluency in Arabic

Fluency in English

Formation

Bachelor's degree

Description du poste

Job Description:

Shield AI is seeking a high-performing Business Development / Account Executive to drive growth for Hivemind Autonomy across the Middle East, with a primary focus on UAE-based defense and government customers. This role is responsible for identifying, shaping, and closing complex opportunities while building enduring customer relationships and executing disciplined capture strategies. You will partner closely with Sales Leadership, Product, Engineering, and Strategic Engagement teams to align customer needs with Hivemind’s autonomy capabilities and deliver mission‑critical outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a customer‑first, technically credible seller with strong capture instincts, experience navigating defense acquisition processes, and a proven track record of winning and expanding strategic accounts.

What you'll do:

• Own and drive the full sales lifecycle for Hivemind opportunities across assigned accounts/territories (pipeline generation through close)
• Develop and execute territory and capture strategies for priority pursuits, aligning with Shield AI’s long‑term strategic plan
• Identify, qualify, and shape new business opportunities through deep understanding of customer missions, budgets, and acquisition pathways
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision‑makers, program offices, and influencers across defense and government customers
• Lead proposal development in partnership with BD Operations and cross‑functional teams, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and value propositions
• Conduct competitive analysis and position Hivemind effectively in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Solutions teams to translate customer needs into compelling technical and operational solutions
• Manage deal progression with rigor (qualification, deal strategy, forecasting accuracy, CRM hygiene)
• Represent Shield AI at industry events, conferences, and customer engagements to expand market presence and pipeline
• Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and leadership on pipeline status, risks, and key milestones

Measures of Success (First 6–12 months)

• Strong pipeline generation and progression within assigned accounts and territories
• Successful execution of capture strategies resulting in qualified opportunities and wins
• Improved deal velocity and win rates through disciplined qualification and positioning
• Establishment of trusted relationships with key customer stakeholders and partners
• Consistent, accurate forecasting and high‑quality CRM and pipeline hygiene
• Meaningful contribution to revenue growth across the UAE Hivemind business

Required qualifications:

• 10–15+ years of experience in business development, sales, or capture roles in technically complex domains (AI/ML, autonomy, SaaS, aerospace/defense, or similar)
• Proven track record of owning and closing deals, particularly within UAE government or defense markets
• Deep understanding of defense acquisition processes and government procurement lifecycle
• Strong experience developing and executing capture strategies for complex opportunities
• Technical aptitude and ability to engage credibly with Engineering, Product, and Operational stakeholders
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Self‑motivated, results‑oriented, and capable of operating in a fast‑paced environment
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Must be fluent in Arabic as well as English

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience selling autonomy, AI/ML, or unmanned systems (UAS) solutions a plus
• Prior military experience
• Established relationships within defense, government, or aerospace customer sets
• Experience working with Large Systems Integrators (LSIs) and strategic partners
• Ability to travel as needed for customer engagements and industry events
• Active or eligibility for security clearance
• MBA or equivalent graduate degree

Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.