German Speaking Business Development Manager - Railway

Ignite; Berlin; Remote; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% remote work in Germany

High-spec hardware package

Education & conference budget

Job summary

Ignite, Berlin-based, seeks a entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to pioneer outbound sales from scratch. You will design scalable outreach workflows and build relationships with engineers, maintenance leads, and directors.

This 100% remote role requires German at C2 level and offers periodic Berlin meetups. You will own GTM foundations, engage rail and public transport stakeholders, and drive early opportunities for Europe and beyond.

Qualifications

• Builder mindset with ownership to create scalable processes and playbooks.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build rapport with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Proactive multi-channel outbound outreach and active networking.
• Native-level German (C2) for engaging public sector and rail operator stakeholders; EU work authorization.
• Communicate effectively in English when needed for international outreach.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a scalable outbound GTM strategy for Germany and Europe.
• Lead multi-channel outreach campaigns (cold calls, emails, LinkedIn) and qualify opportunities.
• Engage decision-makers in public transit operators and rail companies; drive discovery meetings.
• Collaborate with executives to navigate tenders, contracts, and international expansion.

Skills

Builder mindset

Communication

Outbound outreach

German language (C2)

Work authorization (EU)

Tools

CRM tools

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Sales automation tools

Job description

Location: Remote within Germany (Hub in Berlin for periodic team meetups)

Employment Type: Full-time (100% Remote / Highly Flexible Working Hours)

Language Requirements: German (C2 level required), English (C1 preferred)

About Us & Our Mission

Headquartered in Berlin, we are an innovative technology provider developing high-impact software solutions for critical rail and public transport infrastructure. Our core mission is to transform complex technical systems into actionable, transparent, and highly secure digital operations. Trusted daily by tens of thousands of transport and logistics professionals, our software plays a vital role in modernizing public transit across regions.

Our culture is built around four foundational values: Partnership & Collaboration, Quality & Regional Rootedness ("Made in Germany"), Customer Focus, and Future Orientation.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial, hands-on Business Development Manager to pioneer our outbound sales operations from scratch, build high-trust client relationships, and lay the strategic groundwork for our expansion across Germany, Europe, and select international markets.

Role Overview

This is primarily a Sales Development, Relationship Building & Go-to-Market (GTM) role rather than a traditional full-cycle Account Executive position.

As our first dedicated business development hire, you will enjoy full operational ownership to design scalable outreach workflows, establish relationships with technical and operational leaders (e.g., engineers, maintenance leads, infrastructure directors), and generate qualified opportunities. Complex contract negotiations, public tender procedures, and final deal closures are handled in close collaboration with executive management.

Operating 100% remotely from anywhere in Germany, you will work side by side with our core engineering team (12 developers) and executive leadership, complemented by regular team meetups in Berlin (monthly or bi-monthly).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Go-to-Market (GTM) Foundations

• Design and execute a practical, structured business development roadmap within your first six months.
• Identify high-value market segments, key operational decision-makers, and growth pockets across Germany, broader Europe, and target global markets.
• Establish modern outbound outreach frameworks and set up streamlined lead management workflows utilizing CRM tools and LinkedIn.

Proactive Outreach & Relationship Building

• Lead multi-channel outbound campaigns through cold calling, personalized digital outreach (LinkedIn/Email), and warm network engagement.
• Engage key decision-makers at public transit operators, passenger rail companies, and public sector transport agencies.
• Conduct initial discovery meetings, present core software value propositions, and nurture long-term, high-trust relationships.

Industry Presence & Marketing Collaboration

• Plan, organize, and represent the company at key industry conferences, trade fairs, and networking events (approx. 2-3 major events annually).
• Collaborate with external design partners to produce compelling pitch presentations, case studies, and sales enablement collateral.
• Amplify brand visibility across digital platforms like LinkedIn to build authority within the public transit ecosystem.

International Expansion Support

• Support market research, partner identification, and initial entry strategies for emerging European and Southeast Asian markets (including potential travel to major events in cities like Singapore, Bangkok, or New Delhi).

Requirements & Qualifications

Must-Haves:

• Builder Mindset & Ownership: High intrinsic drive to build processes and playbooks from scratch with high autonomy.
• Communication & Personal Touch: Exceptional interpersonal skills—confident, empathetic, and effective at building immediate rapport with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Proactive Outreach Drive: Strong comfort level initiating multi-channel outbound contact, cold outreach, and active networking.
• Language Skills: Native-level / C2 German (essential for engaging German public sector and rail operator stakeholders).
• Work Authorization: Valid authorization to work full-time within Germany / European Union.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Prior exposure to the railway ecosystem, public transit (ÖPNV), or municipal infrastructure (e.g., familiarity with Deutsche Bahn, municipal transport authorities, or private operators).
• Professional English proficiency (C1) for international event representation and cross-border expansion efforts.
• Background in B2B lead generation, sales development, or trade event management.
• Hands-on experience with modern CRM platforms, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and sales automation tools.

Core Competencies

• Entrepreneurial & Agile: Eager to test new outreach approaches, iterate quickly, and solve commercial challenges independently.
• Consultative & Patient: Skilled at navigating extended enterprise sales cycles (up to 18 months) with persistence, empathy, and structured follow-up.
• Tech-Curious: Enthusiastic about translating complex software capabilities into clear, business-driven value propositions for end-users.

Why Join Us?

• Greenfield Opportunity & Growth: Be the pioneer setting our sales development playbook, with a clear trajectory to build and lead your own commercial team as we scale.
• Maximum Work-Life Balance: 100% remote working flexibility anywhere in Germany, adaptable working schedules, and options for temporary remote work abroad.
• High-Impact Solution: Drive adoption for software that directly supports, secures, and modernizes essential public infrastructure.
• Direct Access & Visibility: Work directly with executive leadership within a flat-hierarchy, agile environment that values fast decision-making.
• International Scope: Exposure to international market expansion with travel opportunities to major trade shows across Europe and Southeast Asia.
• Professional Support: High-spec hardware package, personal education and conference budget, and dedicated backing for your long-term career development.