European Business Development Lead

Our client is seeking a passionate and results-driven Business Development Manager to play a pivotal role in its ongoing growth journey, to drive European sales and market share, and ideally to then progress into a leadership position.

At the forefront of innovation in aerial surveying and mapping operations, our client is a dynamic startup with an established product line, specializing in the OEM production of lidar sensors with a  focus on manned airborne Lidar solutions.

External Business Development Responsibilities:

• Create brand awareness and promote our client’s cutting-edge lidar sensor solutions.
• Conduct market research to identify and reach out to potential customers, system integrators, and distributors.
• Lead marketing efforts to position products in the industry.
• Manage end-to-end customer relations, from lead generation to after-sales support.
• Set ambitious goals: €1-3 million bookings in the first year, aiming for €3-5 million in subsequent years.

Internal Business Development Responsibilities:

• Build and develop the business internally, including recruitment, office setup, and organizational structures.
• Organize and supervise accounting, tax, legal, and IT functions.
• Facilitate team-building initiatives to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Set goals for manufacturing capacity, targeting 10-20 units per year.
• Build and lead a final team of 5-6 members, primarily technical with some administrative roles.

Candidate Requirements:

• A minimum five years’ successful business development and product management experience
• An active network of contacts in the manned airborne lidar, photogrammetry, or surveying industry.
• Proven supervisory / leadership/ people management experience.
• A proactive, determined, and “sleeves-up” attitude.
• The ability to wear multiple hats in a dynamic startup environment.
• A passion for technology and willingness to develop a deep product understanding.
• Strong organizational and team-focused leadership skills.
• Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English and German.
• A long-term commitment to contributing to the company’s success.