Business Development Manager

SES Space & Defense; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense is looking for a Manager, Business Development to expand their presence in the U.S. Government market. The successful candidate will enhance customer relationships, identify growth opportunities, and align business strategies with government needs.

This role requires a Bachelor's degree and over 5 years of experience in business development, particularly within the Department of Defense or U.S. Government organizations. Skills in strategic thinking, communication, and project management are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant business development, capture, or government market experience.
• Experience supporting the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, NASA, DISA or U.S. Government organizations.
• Understanding of U.S. Government contracting and budgeting processes.

Responsibilities

• Expand SES Space & Defense’s presence across U.S. Government market.
• Develop and strengthen customer relationships and identify growth opportunities.
• Support short- and long-term strategic plans under senior leadership.
• Perform market analysis and develop market campaign plans.

Skills

Business development

Customer relationship management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Cyber, Intelligence, Aeronautics, Engineering or related discipline

Master's degree preferred

Job description

What You’ll Do

The Manager, Business Development is responsible for expanding SES Space & Defense’s presence across the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and broader U.S. Government market. This role develops and strengthens customer relationships, identifies new growth opportunities, and translates mission needs into innovative space and connectivity solutions that create long‑term value for customers. Working closely with engineering, program management, products, and executive leadership, the successful candidate will shape capture strategies, guide business pursuits, and drive revenue growth aligned to the company’s strategic objectives. The position requires an understanding of government acquisition processes, competitive market dynamics, and emerging technologies across the space and defense ecosystem. This is an opportunity for a business leader who combines customer intimacy, strategic thinking, and technical curiosity to help advance SES Space & Defense’s role in delivering mission‑critical capabilities to government partners.

• Promote and foster continued business development opportunities with existing customers
• Expand and grow the business base by developing new customer relationships
• Support the company’s short‑ and long‑term strategic plans to meet or exceed revenue and earnings objectives under the direction of senior leadership
• Maintain overall responsibility for the accuracy and achievement of bookings forecasts and ensure CRM tools remain current and up to date
• Visit and prospect new and existing customers on a regular basis
• Perform competitive market analysis and monitor industry activity to identify customer needs and emerging opportunities
• Develop and execute short‑ and long‑range market campaign plans to achieve financial objectives and support product and service innovation
• Oversee and monitor bid and proposal budgets
• Assist in planning, designing, and implementing business plans, revenue forecasts, demand analyses, and capture strategies
• Partner closely with Program Management, Engineering, Product, and other internal organizations to coordinate customer engagement activities and market strategies
• Deliver presentations on the company’s portfolio of products and services
• Develop proposals, responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), and white papers supporting government pursuits
• Attend customer meetings, industry events, and trade shows as required
• Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values, and culture of the organization

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Cyber, Intelligence, Aeronautics, Engineering, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of relevant business development, capture, or government market experience
• Master’s degree preferred
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Experience supporting the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, NASA, DISA, Space Development Agency, research laboratories, or other U.S. Government organizations
• Experience with optical communications technologies preferred
• Active U.S. DoD security clearance preferred or the ability to obtain one
• Understanding of U.S. Government contracting, acquisition, and budgeting processes
• Excellent planning, organizational, project management, and time management capabilities
• Advanced knowledge of industry markets, products, and emerging technologies

SES Space and Defense is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.