Munich, Bavaria
Germany
Salary - €150,000 - €230,000 per annum, dependent upon experience
An Exceptional Opportunity to Build and Lead a German Defence Business
Park Lane Recruitment is representing a major international engineering and defence services group seeking an exceptional commercial leader to establish, develop and lead its business operations across Germany.
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of an entire national market, developing the business from the ground up while benefiting from the financial strength, international capabilities and established reputation of a substantial global organisation.
The successful candidate will be responsible for shaping the German market strategy, establishing relationships with key defence stakeholders, identifying major commercial opportunities and delivering sustainable business growth.
This is not simply a business development position. It is an opportunity to create, lead and grow a national business.
The Opportunity
Reporting into senior international leadership, you will have considerable autonomy to establish the organisation's presence within the German defence market.
You will take responsibility for the German P&L, develop the country's business and bid strategies, and personally drive engagement with defence primes, government agencies, military organisations and the wider defence supply chain.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring someone who combines strategic commercial judgement with the ability and enthusiasm to build relationships, originate opportunities and secure business personally.
You will also collaborate with a counterpart being recruited in Poland, contributing to a coordinated regional growth strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish and lead the organisation's commercial presence across the German defence market.
- Take full ownership of German business performance, including P&L responsibility, revenue growth and strategic development.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive market-entry and business development strategy.
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with the Bundeswehr, German defence procurement authorities, government organisations, defence primes and relevant industry partners.
- Identify, qualify and pursue major defence programmes, tenders and long-term commercial opportunities.
- Shape the country's bid strategy, including opportunity selection, competitive positioning, partnerships and commercial approach.
- Establish relationships across the German defence ecosystem, including manufacturers, systems integrators, technology providers and specialist suppliers.
- Represent the organisation at senior industry, government and military stakeholder meetings.
- Work closely with international colleagues to align German opportunities with the wider group's technical capabilities and strategic objectives.
- Develop a sustainable business pipeline and establish the foundations for long-term expansion.
Essential Requirements
German nationality and security clearance eligibility are mandatory.
Candidates must demonstrate:
- German citizenship and the ability to obtain the necessary German national security clearance.
- Current residence in Germany , with the ability to work from a Munich-based position.
- Native-level or fully professional German language skills, together with the English proficiency required to operate within an international organisation.
- Significant commercial, business development or strategic experience within the German defence, military, aerospace, space or defence technology sectors.
- An established and demonstrable network of relevant contacts across German defence customers, military organisations, procurement authorities, defence primes or associated supply chains.
- First-hand understanding of German defence procurement processes, industry structures, decision-making and commercial practices.
- Evidence of personally developing defence-sector relationships, identifying opportunities and contributing to successful bids, contracts or programme growth.
- Strong commercial judgement, strategic thinking and the ability to operate independently at senior stakeholder level.
- The entrepreneurial drive and practical ability to build a business in a new market.
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