ECO Magazine
Ocean Career: Saildrone European Head of Defense Business Development
ECO Magazine, Stuart, Florida, United States, 34997
Ocean Career: Saildrone European Head of Defense Business Development
19 August 2025 Saildrone is a defense company delivering maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance products to military, homeland security, and commercial customers. Our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are extreme‑endurance platforms equipped with advanced sensors and proprietary AI to provide persistent insights above and below the sea surface. With more than 2,000,000 nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone USVs are trusted by governments worldwide. Our vehicles set the standard for cost‑efficient maritime intelligence in the world’s harshest environments. Backed by legendary investors, including: Capricorn, Social Capital, BOND, and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, Saildrone is on track to become the market leader in USVs for tomorrow’s navies. With the establishment of Saildrone Denmark in Copenhagen, we are creating the hub for our European operations—providing regional business development, government relations, mission planning, local support, training, and integration capabilities to European allies and customers across the Baltic and North Seas. With the establishment of Saildrone Denmark in Copenhagen, we are creating the hub for our European operations—providing regional business development, government relations, mission planning, local support, training, and integration capabilities to European allies and customers across the Baltic and North Seas. The Role
The European Head of Defense Business Development will lead Saildrone’s defense market engagement across Denmark and broader Europe, with primary responsibility for identifying, capturing, and growing defense-related revenue. Based in Copenhagen, you will develop and execute a targeted defense sales strategy, build deep relationships with defense stakeholders, and secure major programs in maritime domain awareness and ocean survey for military customers. Key Responsibilities
Defense Business Development Strategy & Pipeline Development Develop and own the defense business development strategy for Denmark and key European defense markets.
Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline across ministries of defense, navies, coast guards, and allied defense organizations (e.g. NATO and the European Union). Align European defense sales initiatives with Saildrone corporate targets and product roadmaps.
Stakeholder Engagement & Account Leadership
Serve as Saildrone’s primary interface with senior defense decision-makers in Denmark and other European nations. Develop trusted relationships with acquisition authorities, program managers, and military end-users. Represent Saildrone in European defense industry associations, NATO working groups, and key maritime defense forums.
Capture & Proposal Management
Lead end-to-end capture activities: opportunity identification, bid strategy, teaming, proposal management workflows, and contract negotiations. Partner with Saildrone corporate proposal and engineering teams to ensure offerings are compliant with European defense procurement requirements and tailored to local operational needs.
Monitor European defense budgets, procurement timelines, and modernization priorities. Analyze competitive offerings and position Saildrone as the market leader in uncrewed maritime domain awareness and mapping solutions. Provide feedback to program management and product teams on evolving operational needs and emerging technology requirements. Coordination with Regional & Global Teams
Collaborate closely with global Saildrone operations to ensure consistently successful program delivery. Work with the corporate defense business development team to share best practices, intelligence, and resources.
Qualifications
Proven track record in defense sector sales with significant experience selling to ministries of defense, naval forces, or maritime security agencies in Europe. Strong understanding of European defense procurement frameworks, offset requirements, and industrial participation models. Minimum 8–10 years of experience in defense business development or sales leadership. Military experience is desirable. Background in maritime systems or defense technology strongly preferred. Skilled negotiator with experience managing large, complex contracts. Bilingual in English and Danish Eligible for Danish and NATO security clearance. Willingness to be based in Copenhagen and travel extensively within Europe.
Salary : DKK 850.000 kr. to DKK 1.150.000 kr. per year Chemistry, engineering, biology, physics, statistics, ecology, communications, and computer science are just a few of the disciplines that govern the…
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19 August 2025 Saildrone is a defense company delivering maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance products to military, homeland security, and commercial customers. Our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are extreme‑endurance platforms equipped with advanced sensors and proprietary AI to provide persistent insights above and below the sea surface. With more than 2,000,000 nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone USVs are trusted by governments worldwide. Our vehicles set the standard for cost‑efficient maritime intelligence in the world’s harshest environments. Backed by legendary investors, including: Capricorn, Social Capital, BOND, and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, Saildrone is on track to become the market leader in USVs for tomorrow’s navies. With the establishment of Saildrone Denmark in Copenhagen, we are creating the hub for our European operations—providing regional business development, government relations, mission planning, local support, training, and integration capabilities to European allies and customers across the Baltic and North Seas. With the establishment of Saildrone Denmark in Copenhagen, we are creating the hub for our European operations—providing regional business development, government relations, mission planning, local support, training, and integration capabilities to European allies and customers across the Baltic and North Seas. The Role
The European Head of Defense Business Development will lead Saildrone’s defense market engagement across Denmark and broader Europe, with primary responsibility for identifying, capturing, and growing defense-related revenue. Based in Copenhagen, you will develop and execute a targeted defense sales strategy, build deep relationships with defense stakeholders, and secure major programs in maritime domain awareness and ocean survey for military customers. Key Responsibilities
Defense Business Development Strategy & Pipeline Development Develop and own the defense business development strategy for Denmark and key European defense markets.
Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline across ministries of defense, navies, coast guards, and allied defense organizations (e.g. NATO and the European Union). Align European defense sales initiatives with Saildrone corporate targets and product roadmaps.
Stakeholder Engagement & Account Leadership
Serve as Saildrone’s primary interface with senior defense decision-makers in Denmark and other European nations. Develop trusted relationships with acquisition authorities, program managers, and military end-users. Represent Saildrone in European defense industry associations, NATO working groups, and key maritime defense forums.
Capture & Proposal Management
Lead end-to-end capture activities: opportunity identification, bid strategy, teaming, proposal management workflows, and contract negotiations. Partner with Saildrone corporate proposal and engineering teams to ensure offerings are compliant with European defense procurement requirements and tailored to local operational needs.
Monitor European defense budgets, procurement timelines, and modernization priorities. Analyze competitive offerings and position Saildrone as the market leader in uncrewed maritime domain awareness and mapping solutions. Provide feedback to program management and product teams on evolving operational needs and emerging technology requirements. Coordination with Regional & Global Teams
Collaborate closely with global Saildrone operations to ensure consistently successful program delivery. Work with the corporate defense business development team to share best practices, intelligence, and resources.
Qualifications
Proven track record in defense sector sales with significant experience selling to ministries of defense, naval forces, or maritime security agencies in Europe. Strong understanding of European defense procurement frameworks, offset requirements, and industrial participation models. Minimum 8–10 years of experience in defense business development or sales leadership. Military experience is desirable. Background in maritime systems or defense technology strongly preferred. Skilled negotiator with experience managing large, complex contracts. Bilingual in English and Danish Eligible for Danish and NATO security clearance. Willingness to be based in Copenhagen and travel extensively within Europe.
Salary : DKK 850.000 kr. to DKK 1.150.000 kr. per year Chemistry, engineering, biology, physics, statistics, ecology, communications, and computer science are just a few of the disciplines that govern the…
#J-18808-Ljbffr