Director of Business Development

Director, Commercial Business Development – Emerging Aerospace Technology

Location: Remote / U.S.-Based | Major Metropolitan Area or Proximity to Major Airport Preferred

Travel: Up to 40%, Including Some International Travel

Industry: Commercial Technology | Aerospace | Geospatial | Remote Sensing | Advanced Communications

The Opportunity: Turn Breakthrough Technology Into a Commercial Business

I'm partnering with an innovative aerospace technology organization preparing to significantly expand the commercial applications of its proven stratospheric platform technology.

We're looking for a commercial business development leader who knows how to take emerging technology to market, identify profitable applications, build strategic customer relationships, and turn early opportunities into scalable revenue.

Where You'll Drive Commercial Growth

The commercial potential spans multiple industries where persistent monitoring, connectivity, and real-time intelligence can deliver measurable value. Here are the different areas successful candidates backgrounds can come from:

Energy, Utilities & Critical Infrastructure:

• Develop commercial opportunities with electric utilities, pipeline operators, energy companies, and infrastructure owners.
• Introduce solutions supporting asset monitoring, damage detection, risk mitigation, and operational visibility.
• Build relationships with commercial operators managing geographically dispersed assets.

Telecommunications & Emergency Connectivity

• Identify opportunities with telecommunications providers, network operators, and technology partners.
• Develop solutions for communications continuity, disaster recovery, and connectivity in underserved or disrupted areas.
• Establish strategic partnerships that expand market access and recurring revenue opportunities.

Maritime & Offshore Operations

• Pursue opportunities with commercial shipping operators, ports, offshore energy companies, and maritime technology providers.
• Position persistent monitoring and surveillance capabilities to improve operational awareness, asset protection, and maritime intelligence.

Earth Observation, Data & Geospatial Markets

• Develop relationships with geospatial analytics companies, agricultural technology providers, insurers, and environmental monitoring organizations.
• Create commercial applications for high-resolution imagery, remote sensing, and persistent data collection.
• Explore data-as-a-service, subscription, and recurring-revenue opportunities.

Disaster Monitoring & Risk Management

• Build commercial relationships with insurance providers, utilities, telecommunications companies, and disaster response technology organizations.
• Develop applications supporting wildfire detection, storm and flood monitoring, early warning, and risk assessment.

What You'll Lead:

Build the Commercial Growth Strategy

• Develop and execute a multi-year commercial business development strategy focused on market penetration, customer acquisition, and sustainable revenue growth.
• Evaluate market potential, identify the most attractive commercial verticals, and establish priorities for investment and business development.
• Own commercial pipeline development, bookings, revenue planning, budgets, and forecasting.
• Identify anchor customers and create strategies to expand early wins into long-term commercial relationships.

Lead and Develop the Business Development Team

• Manage, mentor, and expand a team of business development professionals.
• Establish clear sales objectives, performance metrics, account strategies, and market coverage.
• Build a commercially focused sales culture centered on accountability, collaboration, and measurable results.
• Help shape the organization as new markets and revenue opportunities emerge.

Commercialize Technology & Create New Revenue Streams

• Translate sophisticated aerospace capabilities into compelling commercial solutions with clear customer value.
• Partner with engineering, product development, and operations to define scalable service offerings.
• Develop pricing structures, go-to-market strategies, and business models, including subscription services, data partnerships, payload hosting, and flight services.
• Convert demonstrations, proof-of-concept initiatives, and pilot programs into repeat business and long-term contracts.

Develop Strategic Partnerships & Close Business

• Establish relationships with commercial enterprises, technology providers, sensor manufacturers, data analytics firms, telecommunications carriers, and systems integrators.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations, partnership agreements, and high-value contracts.
• Engage directly with senior executives, technical stakeholders, and C-suite decision-makers.
• Pursue relevant state, local, and international opportunities that complement the commercial growth strategy.
• Represent the business at industry events, customer demonstrations, and executive meetings.

What We're Looking For

We need a leader who understands that selling an emerging technology requires more than a strong network. It requires the ability to identify a real business problem, create a compelling commercial solution, and build a profitable market around it.

Required Experience

• 10+ years of progressive business development or sales experience within commercial technology, aerospace, advanced communications, geospatial, or related industries.
• 3+ years of experience leading, coaching, and developing business development or sales professionals.
• Demonstrated success developing new commercial markets, generating revenue, and closing significant customer agreements.
• Experience launching, commercializing, or scaling an innovative product, service, or technology.
• Strong understanding of commercial sales cycles, strategic account development, pricing, and contract negotiations.
• Ability to build financial models, revenue forecasts, budgets, and business cases supporting market expansion.
• Experience establishing strategic partnerships and developing sustainable customer relationships.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate technical value propositions to business and C-suite audiences.
• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field.

Experience That Will Make You Stand Out

We're particularly interested in leaders who bring commercial relationships and market knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

• Energy & Utilities: Electric power, renewable energy, oil and gas, pipeline operations, and infrastructure monitoring.
• Telecommunications: Wireless networks, connectivity solutions, network infrastructure, and communications services.
• Geospatial & Earth Observation: Satellite imagery, remote sensing, GIS, mapping, and geospatial data platforms.
• Maritime & Offshore: Maritime technology, vessel monitoring, port operations, and offshore energy.
• Insurance & Risk Analytics: Catastrophe modeling, environmental risk assessment, and disaster intelligence.
• Agriculture & Environmental Technology: Precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and data-driven resource management.

You do not need to be an expert in every market listed above. We are interested in leaders with deep commercial expertise, established customer relationships, and a proven record of building business within at least one relevant industry vertical.