German Speaking Business Development Manager - Railway (Remote)

Ignite; Berlin; Remote; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ignite, headquartered in Berlin, develops software for rail and public transport infrastructure. We seek an entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to pioneer outbound sales, build trusted relationships, and lay the GTM groundwork across Germany, Europe, and select international markets.

This role focuses on sales development, relationship building, and go-to-market strategies rather than full-cycle account management. Remote with flexible hours, occasional travel for events is expected.

Qualifications

• German language proficiency (C2) required for engaging German public sector and rail operators.
• Full work authorization to work in Germany/EU.
• Experience in B2B lead generation or sales development preferred.
• Ability to build processes and playbooks from scratch with high autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute a practical GTM roadmap within the first six months.
• Identify high-value market segments and key decision-makers in Germany, Europe, and target global markets.
• Establish outbound outreach frameworks and lead management workflows using CRM tools and LinkedIn.
• Lead multi-channel outbound campaigns via cold calling, email, and LinkedIn.
• Engage with public transit operators, passenger rail companies, and public sector agencies.
• Collaborate with external design partners to develop pitches, case studies, and sales collateral.

Skills

Autonomy & initiative

Stakeholder communication

Multi-channel outreach

German language proficiency

Work authorization Germany/EU

CRM & sales tools

Tools

CRM platforms

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

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.

Business Development Manager

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.

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.