Business development manager

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – SPACE SECTOR ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Manager to join our client's commercial team on a full-time, permanent basis. This role is pivotal in identifying new business opportunities across a portfolio of space-sector products and technology solutions, building and maintaining strong client relationships, and driving strategic growth within the rapidly evolving space industry. WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO Identify and research potential clients worldwide, with a particular focus on the European market; Develop and maintain long‑term relationships with key stakeholders across commercial, institutional, and defence sectors; Collaborate with sales and technical teams to develop tailored, mutually beneficial proposals; Track, identify, and qualify prospects for inclusion in the sales pipeline; Manage the end‑to‑end business development and sales process, from lead generation through to contract award; Negotiate commercial and contractual terms while ensuring alignment with organisational objectives; Monitor and report on proposal progress, contract deliverables, and business development activities; Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and competitive threats; Gather and analyse customer, competitor, and market intelligence to support strategic decision‑making; Establish and manage strategic partnerships to expand market presence and business opportunities. YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, Physics, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline (Master's degree or Ph D preferred); Proven experience in business development within the aerospace or space sectors, with the ability to identify market needs, emerging applications, and customer requirements, and align technical solutions with organisational capabilities and strategic priorities; Demonstrated ability to define market entry strategies, shape new business opportunities, and position offerings within competitive and evolving markets; Strong understanding of space systems, mission architectures, and enabling technologies, including payloads, subsystems, components, and their applications; Broad knowledge of the global space ecosystem, including institutional, commercial, and defence markets, key stakeholders, procurement models, and funding mechanisms; Familiarity with space‑sector procurement and tendering processes, including those associated with European and international institutional customers; Experience working with contractual frameworks, compliance requirements, planning processes, and risk assessment methodologies; Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences; Strong negotiation skills and the ability to operate effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural environments; Highly developed analytical, organisational, and problem‑solving capabilities. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Permanent employment contract; Full-time position; Hybrid working arrangement in accordance with company policy; Location: Italy #J-18808-Ljbffr