Director of Business Development - Defense (Europe)

Orca AI; United States; À distance; GBP 120 000 - 180 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Orca AI is seeking a high-impact Director of Business Development to lead growth in defense and government sectors across Europe. You will own the end-to-end deal lifecycle from capture to closing, working in a fast-paced startup environment with a defense-sector polish.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in defense/government, a proven track record closing complex contracts, and startup experience. Based in Europe, with Nordics a plus, you will drive market expansion and strategic partnerships

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in defense and government sectors.
• Track record of closing complex deals with federal/defense customers.
• Direct startup experience with ability to build processes where none exist.

Responsabilités

• Lead capture and closing for major government and defense contracts.
• Identify and penetrate new market segments within defense and federal government.
• Build and manage strategic relationships that drive revenue and mission success.
• Translate government requirements into actionable feedback for engineering/product teams.

Connaissances

Defense experience

Deal ownership

Startup experience

European location

Description du poste

We are looking for a high-impact Business Development Director to lead our growth within the defense and government sectors in Europe and ROW. This is a role for a closer - someone who possesses the strategic "startup hustle" to navigate emerging tech landscapes and the professional "defense-sector polish" to seal high-stakes defense contracts.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of securing wins with the Defense Organizations and thrives in high-growth, venture-backed environments.

The Mission

As the Director of Business Development, you will be the primary engine for our market expansion. You won’t just be "opening doors" or managing partnerships; you will own the entire lifecycle of the deal—from initial capture and strategic positioning to final contract closing.

Must-Have Requirements

• Experience: 8+ years of professional experience, with a heavy focus on the defense and government sectors.
• Deal Ownership: A documented history of closing complex deals with federal and defense customers.
• The Startup Edge: Direct experience working within a startup environment. You understand how to build processes where they don't exist and move at the speed of innovation.
• Location: Must be based in Europe, Nordics is a plus.

Nice-to-Have

• Maritime/Naval Expertise: Specific experience in shipbuilding, naval systems, autonomous maritime contexts, or maritime defense is a significant plus.
• Growth Pedigree: Previous roles at venture-backed, high-growth defense tech companies.
• Strategic Scope: Demonstrated experience as a Director or Senior IC owning capture efforts, strategic partnerships, and new business wins.
• Career Stability: A history of sustained tenure and professional growth within organizations (we value "builders" over "hoppers").

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Capture & Closing: Own the end-to-end sales cycle for major government and defense contracts.
• Strategic Growth: Identify and penetrate new market segments within the DoD and federal government.
• Partnership Architecture: Build and manage strategic relationships that lead directly to revenue and mission success.
• Market Intelligence: Translate complex government requirements into actionable product feedback for our engineering and product teams.