Business Development Manager

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

The Business Development Manager - Belgium, NATO & Luxembourg will be responsible for building Shield AI’s business opportunities primarily in Belgium, NATO & Luxembourg focused on orders execution and growth. He/she will be responsible for engaging with customers, NATO (and NSPO) officials, attending events, and product demonstrations. This person will operate on a small team with a demanding work and travel schedule and a very high level of responsibility and accountability to perform and deliver results, but will undoubtedly have the opportunity to make an outsized impact and become a major contributor to the company.

What You'll do:

• Engage with customers and NATO regularly to present and offer Shield AI´s product portfolio

• Attend trade shows, exhibitions, or other industry events to expose Shield AI products

• Devise and coordinate marketing and government relations opportunities

• Build and devise the structure of industry partnerships

• Plan and execute product demonstrations

• Work cross-functionally to provide responses to or address customers needs

• Lead proposal response

• Develop offset strategies

Required Qualifications

• Exceptional communicator: strong written, verbal, and presentation skills and the ability to communicate seamlessly at all levels  of business and government

• Charismatic leader, with the ability to motivate and inspire others and impart excitement about Shield AI’s mission, technology, and products

• Desire to help build the defining defense technology company of this century

• Thorough understanding and knowledge of the military operations and the acquisition process that allows you to maintain strong customer relations

• >6 Years of relevant military or prior defense industry or other international business experience

• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with demonstrated success in meeting and exceeding critical goals and deadlines

• Strong international relationships and demonstrated ability to work well across and with various cultures, customs, etc.

• Strong technical knowledge within the UAV and/or AI disciplines (or demonstrated desire ability to learn quickly)

• Willing and able to travel internationally, frequently and without restriction, including customer sites

• Team oriented with the ability to communicate with a understanding of nuances associated with being collaborative while also  being blunt and forthright

• Technically competent in the myriad of systems that are required to function at the speed of business

• Bachelor’s Degree or appropriate military education

Preferred Qualifications

• Specific strategy or business development experience in Europe (focus Belgium, NATO & Luxembourg)

• Specific background and experience in working with NATO and NSPO (Foreign Military Funding (FMF), Foreign Military Sales (FMS))

• Prior UAV or AI business development experience in a defense-related context

• Proven leadership and/or operational experience within the DoD or international equivalents (e.g., MoD)

• Demonstrated understanding of specific Army/Navy/etc. operational scenarios and systems

• Strong research and analysis skills

• Relevant Foreign Language Skills (e.g., European languages)

Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.