Director Business Development Germany

Position Overview

Kongsberg Defense is looking for a seasoned business development leader to enhance our footprint in Germany and facilitate strategic growth initiatives focused on the Air/Space and Naval/Space sectors. This pivotal role demands a comprehensive understanding of the German defense environment, the ability to cultivate trusted connections with senior-level contacts, and a drive to foster long-term business ventures in coordination with the business development team and VP of Business Development Germany.

Key Responsibilities

• Consistently support sales efforts aligned with acquisition projects and concepts across all company divisions.
• Act as Kongsberg’s representative at the German Federal Ministry of Defence and the Air Force / Navy.
• Serve as the primary intermediary connecting various defense organizations, including ministry departments, service commands, planning offices, and Kongsberg’s internal business units.
• Provide support to all divisions of Kongsberg in their engagements with relevant defense institutions and organizational bodies.
• Prevent conflicts of interest among Kongsberg’s business units and ensure unified presence within the Ministry of Defence and military organizations.
• Develop and maintain influential personal networks in the defense sector.
• Deliver proactive insights, updates, and analysis on customers and trends, considering all procurement dimensions related to Bundeswehr transformation.
• Identify, document, and pursue new business opportunities.
• Assist project management teams in program implementation and execution.
• Represent the company in various industry organizations and associations, including event coordination and association management support.
• Contribute to maintaining customer relationship management within the military sector.

Candidate Profile

• University degree holder, with completed military service or background as a career or temporary service member, including reserve training participation.
• Experience in defense technology with expertise in technology, development, and sales processes.
• Familiarity with customer requirements authorities, procurement bodies such as BMVg, executive agencies, and their organizational frameworks.
• Knowledge of Project-Based Procurement and In-Service Support (PBN).
• Demonstrated strong communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution capabilities.
• Strategic and conceptual thinker with confident customer engagement skills.
• Robust dialogue and information processing talents, coupled with an independent, structured working approach.
• Ability to objectively report findings with insightful recommendations.
• Outgoing and continuously motivated to expand and nurture networks.
• Political acumen, especially in dealings with major German prime contractors.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required.
• Established strong networks within defense technology groups (e.g., FKH e.V., IDLw e.V., DWT e.V.) and the Air Force and/or Navy, including senior leaders and key personnel.

Personal Attributes

• Clear and confident communicator with senior stakeholders.
• Initiative-taking, independent worker with methodical information gathering and sharing.
• Diplomatic and politically sensitive with skill to balance complex stakeholder interests.
• Natural networker focused on building trust-driven long-term partnerships.
• Ability to integrate strategic thought with practical business approaches.

Why Join Kongsberg?

This role offers you the chance to influence Kongsberg’s strategic position in Germany and contribute to key defense and security objectives. Collaborate cross-functionally with highly skilled colleagues and maintain a prominent role in tapping into a market of critical strategic importance.