Senior Business Development Director (Aerospace & Defense)

Edison Welding Institute Inc; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

EWI is seeking a Senior Business Development Director to drive revenue in aerospace and defense through strategic growth plans and strong customer relationships. You will collaborate with technical staff, project management, and leadership to secure opportunities and achieve quarterly and annual sales goals.

The role requires deep market knowledge, a consultative selling approach, and the ability to lead cross‑functional teams across commercial and government sectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• Certified or completed sales methodology such as CFS, CSS, Challenger Sale.
• Minimum of 15 years in a technical, consultative sales environment.
• Experience selling services to Fortune 500 companies and multi-stakeholder buyers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute growth strategies and sales plans.
• Build and maintain key account relationships in aerospace and defense markets.
• Lead cross‑functional teams including marketing, engineering, and innovation to hit sales goals.
• Manage the full sales cycle: generate leads, qualify, advance, and close opportunities.

Skills

Consultative sales

Team leadership

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

CRM tools

Job description

EWI is the leader in materials sciences and the go to experts that many of the country’s largest and most innovative organizations call to assist with their most difficult assignments. Our business success relies on strong execution and continuous improvement – driven by the expertise and teamwork of our employees. We are always searching for exceptional candidates to join the EWI team and be a part of our forward-thinking, innovative, best-in-class organization! We have a rich history in the community and are and are proud to call Columbus our home.The Senior Business Development Director generates sales revenue with new and existing clients through the development and execution of growth strategies and sales plans. The primary markets of focus are aerospace and defense. The Senior Business Development Director is tasked with achieving quarterly and annual sales goals across commercial and government sectors, utilizing all of EWI technologies, in support of corporate sales objectives for the fiscal year. This person builds and cultivates strong, lasting customer relationships with keen attention on key accounts. The Senior Business Development Director is responsible for the full sales process working with technical staff, project management, and sales team members to generate leads, qualify, advance, and close opportunities across assigned markets.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Develop and maintain key account relationships within the aerospace and defense industry marketsConsistently achieve $4.0M to $10.0M annually, depending on business conditions and assigned markets or accountsMeet increasing quarterly and annual goals across commercial and government sales, all EWI technologies, and all EWI locationsDevelop and lead effective growth strategies that result in increased sales and revenue with new and existing accountsLead a team effort that includes leadership, marketing, engineering, and innovation to achieve sales goalsProactively plan and execute customer engagements aligned with growth strategies and sales plansPartner with technical staff, sales team members, and customers to understand their company’s business, technology needs, and objectivesCommunicate value through oral and written methods including but not limited to face-to-face engagements, proposals, presentations, web meetings, phone calls, and emailServe as the primary channel for customer communications throughout the sales process including internal coordination across technical staff, project management, contracting, and leadershipKnow EWI’s full suite of service offerings and value proposition; understand and effectively articulate what differentiates EWIUnderstand EWI technologies at the appropriate level to effectively sell the service offeringsIdentify, test the market, and co-develop new offerings and value propositions with leadership, marketing, engineering, and innovationPerform market research under your own direction, while collaborating with leadership, marketing, engineering, innovation, and the sales teamProvide actionable market feedback distilled for EWI’s business and review with leadership and marketingLead large negotiations with internal and external stakeholders related to scope, schedule, budget, IP, and contractsEffectively partner with technical staff, project management, contracting, and leadership to ensure favorable, timely negotiationsDemonstrate mastery of the entire sales process working with, coaching, and advising technical staff, project management, and sales team members to generate leads, qualify, advance, and close opportunities across assigned marketsManaging the client’s access to valuable engineering information prior to sales and coaching technical staff as needed to ensure an exchange of fee for servicesProperly qualify opportunities by setting value proposition, budget, and timing expectations prior to committing to delivering a proposalManage deal cycles between one and six months but could be as long as 24 monthsKNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:Demonstrated knowledge in your market of responsibilityDemonstrated abilities in a consultative sales environmentDemonstrated capacity to learn and sell advanced manufacturing technology offerings including but not limited to materials joining, forming, automation, additive manufacturing, structural integrity, and data scienceStrong resonance between personal mission and EWI’s mission-oriented workNatural leader with ability to motivate and lead cross-functional teams to achieve company objectivesDemonstrate a high level of maturity, polish, and presence with internal and external clientsProfessional writing and presentation skillsAdept at learning quickly and managing changeComfortable in a fast-paced, service-minded, mission-based organization focused on customer successExhibits sound judgment in decision making and executionAbility to multi-task and work autonomously while under substantial schedule and performance pressureStrong interpersonal skills supporting collaboration, negotiation, and teamwork with a diverse group of sales, marketing, engineering, and other internal personnelProficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)50%+ travel expected both locally and nationally including travel to individual customers, other EWI locations, and representing EWI at various events and conferencesStrong preference, but not requirement, to be based in Columbus, OhioEDUCATION:Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience requiredCertified or completed an industry recognized sales methodology such as CFS, CSS, Challenger SaleEXPERIENCE:Minimum of 15 years in a technical, consultative sales environment with a proven track record of successManufacturing solutions and/or advisory services consulting sales experience preferredExperience in selling services to Fortune 500 companies in addition to small/medium-sized companies, including a deep understanding of multi-stakeholder buyer situations and experience in selling high-value, high-cost servicesEXPORT CONTROLS - This position requires access to information and technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government.EOE/M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran StatusAccommodation:Individuals who need reasonable accommodations under the ADA in order to participate in the search and/or application process should contact Human Resources at [phone].