VP of Sales - Defence (m/f/d)

HAPEKO Hanseatisches Personalkontor Deutschland GmbH; München; Remote; EUR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

HAPEKO Hanseatisches Personalkontor Deutschland GmbH is supporting a client seeking a Vice President of Sales to drive European growth in the defence drone sector. This leadership role focuses on building a scalable European business development organization, expanding into Nordics, Baltics, Poland and CE markets, and forging strategic partnerships with defence bodies and industry players.

Ideal candidates will bring senior commercial leadership, hands-on execution, and a proven track record in

Qualifications

• Proven sales and business development experience in the drone industry (UAV/UAS) within the European defence sector.
• Strong network and market experience in Europe, especially Nordics, Baltics, Poland or CE Europe.
• Experience building and scaling international business development or sales teams.
• Track record of delivering revenue targets and KPIs in complex deals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the European go-to-market and business development strategy.
• Lead, expand and scale the Business Development team with effective sales structures.
• Own sales performance, pipeline, revenue targets and commercial KPIs.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities across Europe.
• Establish and manage strategic partnerships with defence orgs, OEMs, distributors and government stakeholders.
• Oversee complex sales cycles, negotiations, proposals and major RFI/RFPs within defence regulations.

Skills

Drone industry sales

European market expansion

Strategic partnerships

Leadership & team building

P&L ownership

Job description

Our client is a rapidly growing technology leader in the European defence and drone industry. As part of its continued international expansion, we are seeking an experienced Vice President of Sales (remote within Europe) to lead the company's European business development strategy, drive revenue growth and further build and scale its Business Development team.

In this key leadership position, you will take ownership of European market expansion, with a particular focus on the Nordics, Baltics, Poland, Central and Eastern Europe and more. You will be responsible for developing and executing commercial strategies, establishing strategic partnerships and ensuring consistent KPI delivery. The role requires proven experience in the drone industry, a strong track record in European defence markets and a hands-on leadership approach.

• European Sales Strategy: Develop and execute the European go-to-market and business development strategy, driving revenue, margin and sustainable growth across priority markets.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, further build and scale the Business Development team, establishing effective sales structures, processes and performance standards.
• KPI & Revenue Delivery: Take full ownership of sales performance, pipeline development, revenue targets and commercial KPIs, ensuring consistent execution and measurable results.
• Market Expansion: Identify and develop new business opportunities across Europe, with particular emphasis on the Nordics, Baltics and Poland.
• Strategic Partnerships: Establish and manage long‑term relationships with defence organisations, OEMs, distributors, system integrators, prime contractors and government stakeholders.
• Business Development & Execution: Oversee complex sales cycles, strategic negotiations, solution proposals and major RFI/RFP processes while ensuring compliance with relevant defence regulations and export controls.
• Mandatory: Proven sales and business development experience in the drone industry (UAV/UAS) within the European defence sector.
• Mandatory: Demonstrated market experience and an established network in the Nordics, Baltics and/or Poland.
• Several years of senior commercial leadership experience with a proven track record of building, leading and scaling successful international Business Development or Sales teams.
• Demonstrated success in developing European sales strategies, driving market expansion and consistently delivering revenue targets and commercial KPIs.
• Strong understanding of European defence procurement processes, regulatory frameworks and export control requirements.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, combined with a strategic mindset and hands‑on execution capabilities.
• Willingness to travel to Munich on a regular basis to meet your team onsite, combined with flexibility for international business travel.
• Key executive leadership role in shaping the company's European growth strategy and international market expansion.
• Opportunity to build, lead and develop a high‑performing European Business Development organisation.
• High degree of autonomy, strategic influence and direct accountability for commercial success.
• Exposure to leading defence organisations, government stakeholders and strategic industry partners across Europe.
• Opportunity to work with innovative, mission‑critical drone and defence technologies.
• Attractive executive compensation package with performance‑based incentives.
• Long-term career prospects in a rapidly growing international defence technology company.