Director of Business Development

Strategic Talent Partners; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based incentives

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A leading manufacturing solutions provider based in the U.S. is seeking a Director of Business Development to lead efforts in the Aerospace & Defense sector. This role involves cultivating executive relationships, driving enterprise sales, and developing growth strategies. Candidates should have over 10 years of relevant experience, a strong technical background, and the ability to work collaboratively. This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of $90,000.00 to $100,000.00 per year, along with performance-based incentives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of enterprise sales or business development experience in capital equipment, industrial technology, or manufacturing solutions.
• Proven track record of vertical market presence and revenue growth in demanding industries.
• Willingness to travel nationally up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate long‑term relationships with decision‑makers across target verticals.
• Act as a trusted advisor by understanding customer challenges and presenting tailored solutions.
• Develop and execute vertical‑specific growth strategies.

Skills

Enterprise sales experience

Strategic market analysis

Value-based selling

Client relationship management

Technical acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

CRM tools

Job description

Base Pay Range

$90,000.00/yr - $100,000.00/yr

Company Overview

Our client, based in St. Michael, Minnesota, is a leading U.S. manufacturer of ultra-high pressure waterjet cutting systems. Since 1984, they have specialized in building the most durable and precise waterjet solutions for mission-critical applications. Unlike competitors, our client designs and manufactures both pumps and motion systems in-house, offering unmatched reliability and integration.

Their customers span the aerospace & defense, metals distribution, automotive, medical, marine, construction, and industrial manufacturing sectors. With a reputation for 24/7/365 operation, best-in-class after-sales support, and industry-leading reliability, our client is entering an exciting new phase of growth with a sharpened vertical focus and ambitious market expansion.

Core Values

• Think Yes First – seeing problems as opportunities to create value.
• Strive Together to Achieve Excellence – collaborating as a team to solve complex challenges.
• Continuously Inventive – adapting to evolving markets and customer needs.
• Dedicated to Customer Success – measuring success by customers’ long-term results.

Position Overview

The Director of Business Development for Aerospace & Defense will be a strategic individual contributor for a defined vertical market, accountable for building our client’s presence, expanding market share, and driving enterprise sales. This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on execution: setting direction for the vertical, identifying opportunities for growth, and managing the full sales cycle with support from a dedicated technical team.

One of our client’s primary focus verticals is Aerospace & Defense (commercial and defense aerospace, marine, and military/defense applications). In these demanding industries, their durable system design, precision High Rail platform, and exceptional after‑sales service have earned strong customer loyalty. The Director of Business Development will leverage this value proposition to meet vertical‑specific needs, build executive‑level relationships, and deliver measurable growth.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate long‑term relationships with decision‑makers across target verticals
• Act as a trusted advisor by understanding customer challenges and presenting tailored solutions
• Represent our client at trade shows, conferences, and industry events
• Develop and execute vertical‑specific growth strategies
• Prioritize and pursue high‑potential prospects with tailored pursuit plans
• Lead consultative sales engagements, demos, solution design, and ROI discussions
• Manage pipeline, forecasting, and reporting through CRM tools
• Partner with application engineers, marketing, and product experts to deliver solutions
• Collaborate with marketing on campaigns and vertical‑specific initiatives

Skills, Qualifications & Key Competencies

Must‑Have

• 10+ years of enterprise sales or business development experience in capital equipment, industrial technology, or manufacturing solutions
• Bachelor’s degree (Business, Engineering, or related field) or equivalent experience
• Proven track record of vertical market presence and revenue growth in demanding industries
• Deep industry expertise and established relationships within target verticals
• Strategic market analysis and vertical growth planning
• Value‑based and consultative selling – able to connect our client’s differentiators (durability, precision, reliability, after‑sales support) to customer ROI
• Executive‑level relationship building and trusted advisor influence
• Contract negotiation and deal structuring expertise
• Disciplined pipeline management and forecasting with CRM tools
• Strong technical acumen to credibly communicate product differentiators
• Willingness to travel nationally up to 50%
• Resilient, persistent, and results‑driven mindset
• High integrity and professional credibility

Preferred

• Strong industry presence through networking, trade shows, and associations
• Experience selling into highly regulated industries
• Innovative and adaptable approach to changing market conditions
• Customer‑success orientation beyond the initial sale
• Base salary with performance‑based incentives (commission/bonus)
• Professional development opportunities and direct engagement with executive leadership

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Business Development

Industries

Manufacturing