Who We Are:

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical.

At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

What You’ll Do:

SES Space & Defense is seeking a strategic, growth-oriented Director of Business Development to lead customer engagement, pipeline development, and capture strategy focused primarily on U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), its Component Commands, and the broader Special Operations Forces (SOF) enterprise. This role will drive growth across tactical and expeditionary communications, resilient SATCOM, contested networking, ISR, edge computing, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), and mission-critical space-enabled capabilities supporting globally deployed SOF operations.

The Director will identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities aligned with SES Space & Defense's satellite communications, secure connectivity, managed network services, multi-orbit communications, and resilient space-enabled capabilities that enable SOF missions in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments.

The ideal candidate combines deep knowledge of the SOF community, executive-level customer relationships, technical credibility, and a proven record of successfully growing and capturing complex Department of Defense opportunities.

Primary Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth Strategy

• Identify, develop, and execute strategic business development initiatives supporting company growth objectives within USSOCOM and the SOF enterprise.
• Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of opportunities across USSOCOM Headquarters, SOF AT&L, PEO SOF Digital Applications (SDA), PEO SOF Warrior, SOF Components (USASOC, NAVSPECWARCOM, AFSOC, and MARSOC), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), Geographic Combatant Commands, and allied Special Operations organizations.
• Lead opportunity qualification, competitive positioning, account planning, and customer engagement strategies.
• Develop customer engagement plans aligned with SOF modernization priorities, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), Integrated Deterrence, and the evolving needs of globally deployed special operations forces.
• Conduct market analysis, competitive intelligence, technology assessments, and customer research to identify emerging mission requirements and acquisition opportunities.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop long-term growth strategies supporting the SOF mission and adjacent defense markets.

Customer Engagement & Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders across USSOCOM, Component Commands, SOF acquisition organizations, Combatant Commands, defense agencies, and industry partners.
• Represent SES Space & Defense at SOF conferences, industry days, customer meetings, exercises, experimentation events, and government-sponsored forums.
• Develop strategic partnerships, teaming arrangements, and technology collaborations that strengthen competitive positioning.
• Serve as the primary interface between customers and internal engineering, operations, product management, and program teams to align operational needs with technical solutions.

Capture & Proposal Support

• Support capture activities from opportunity identification through contract award.
• Develop customer-informed win strategies, value propositions, competitive positioning, pricing strategies, and discriminators.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams supporting solution development, technical responses, and proposal execution.
• Contribute to proposal reviews, executive briefings, white papers, customer presentations, and technical exchanges.
• Maintain accurate opportunity data, pipeline forecasts, and customer engagement activities within CRM systems.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, finance, legal, contracts, product management, and program management teams.
• Provide market intelligence and customer feedback to influence product strategy, service innovation, and technology investment decisions.
• Mentor junior business development professionals while fostering a high-performance growth culture focused on collaboration and mission success.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive experience in business development, capture management, strategic sales, or growth leadership within defense, aerospace, satellite communications, or government technology sectors.
• Demonstrated success developing and winning business opportunities with USSOCOM, SOF Components, Combatant Commands, Department of Defense organizations, or allied Special Operations partners.
• Strong understanding of USSOCOM acquisition processes, rapid capability development, OTA agreements, FAR-based procurements, contract vehicles, and the federal acquisition lifecycle.
• Proven ability to establish executive-level customer relationships and influence strategic decisions.
• Experience managing multi-million-dollar opportunity pipelines and achieving revenue growth objectives.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, communication, and executive briefing skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate across technical and non-technical organizations.
• Active U.S. Secret security clearance required; Top Secret/SCI clearance strongly preferred, or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• Must be able to travel up to 40%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in satellite communications (SATCOM), space systems, secure networking, or managed communications services.
• Familiarity with military communications architectures, tactical networking, or resilient space-enabled solutions.
• Existing relationships within DoW, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, or international defense organizations.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

This role is hybrid based in our Reston VA or Tampa FL office or remote based in Fayetteville NC..

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $[MIN] to $[MAX]. The final base salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the position’s location, the candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Where applicable, this position may also be eligible for an annual bonus. Employees are eligible to participate in SES Space & Defense’s benefits programs, which include paid vacation, sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k)-retirement plan; and others.