Director, Business Development, MENA

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BlackSky is seeking a Director of Business Development for the MENA region, based in Dubai, to lead the regional sales for government and defense customers and drive new imagery and analytics growth. You will define capture strategies, lead end-to-end deals from lead generation to close, build strategic regional plans, and cultivate senior relationships while shaping go-to-market with cross-functional teams. The role demands a ten-plus year track record in geospatial/ISR analytics, international defense sales, and full-cycle BD; superb negotiation, presentation, and English communication; and the ability to manage complex pipelines and forecasts. Relocation isn’t offered, you must reside in Dubai and be ITAR eligible. Tips: tailor your CV to show regional wins, quantify bookings, highlight CRM use, demonstrate regulatory awareness.

Director, Business Development, MENA

About Us:

BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the world's most advanced space-based intelligence platform and provide customers satellite imagery, automated analytics and high-frequency monitoring of strategic locations, economic assets, and events from around the globe. BlackSky is trusted by the most demanding allied military and intelligence organizations and commercial companies to deliver foresight into critical matters that affect national security and the economy. BlackSky's data enables governments and businesses to see, understand and anticipate change as it happens, giving them the ultimate strategic advantage so they can act quickly. Our global team works with cutting-edge technology to make a difference around the world and prides itself on being people-first, customer-focused and fun.

You will use your background in business development to define sales capture strategies to join our growing international team and achieve successful program awards and product sales. There is a special emphasis on business development, sales execution and strategy in this position to relevant local governments and other defense organizations with a goal of expanding new opportunities. At this time, there are no supervisory requirements. 

A natural born hunter focused on new imagery and analytics business growth for the MENA Region, you will be responsible for leading the company's regional sales efforts, developing and executing sales growth strategies to achieve bookings and revenue goals.  A successful candidate will need to exhibit extensive, high level regional networks and comprehensive knowledge of commercial business practices within the MENA region. We are not able to sponsor relocation for this position and are looking for a someone already located in Dubai. 

Responsibilities:

• Drive customer and opportunity capture engagement across internal and external stakeholders to support net new growth, driving new opportunities, strategy, tactics (OST’s) from lead generation, qualification, opportunity shaping, proposals, negotiations and close.  
• Strategic planning: develop and implement regional sales and account plans to achieve bookings and revenue targets and drive net new business growth.  
• Relationship building: Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders.  
• Sales process development: Contribute to and establish and optimize sales processes and methodologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.   
• Relationship building: Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders.   
• Market analysis: Analyze market trends and customer needs to identify new business opportunities and drive new product development.  
• Reporting and forecasting: Prepare sales forecasts, reports, and budgets.  
• Collaboration: work with other departments, such as government relations, legal, engineering, account management, product marketing and go-to-market, to develop effective engagement strategies and promotional materials.  
• Other responsibilities as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors’ Degree in business or an engineering field. 
• At least ten years of experience in the geospatial, ISR, or analytics industry. 
• At least ten years of experience with international defense and intelligence customers. 
• Full-cycle direct business development experience with a concentration in technical and/or government sales (this does not include sales support, account management, program management or engineering experience). 
• Exceptional negotiation and persuasion skills. 
• The ability to perform top quality presentations. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, fluent in English. 
• Strong organizational skills as a good time manager and effective multi-tasker. 
• Superior complex problem solving and decision-making abilities. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in engineering/technology field or MBA. 
• Experience managing opportunity pipeline in Salesforce, Zendesk or other similar CRM. 

BlackSky is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. #LI-Hybrid

EEO/AAP/ Pay Transparency Statements:

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf