AV · 3 months ago
Business Development Director - MEA UxS
AeroVironment is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems and tactical missile systems. The Business Development Director is responsible for identifying and developing business opportunities within the Middle East region, focusing on strategic partnerships and market growth.
AerospaceAir TransportationDronesElectric VehicleElectronicsEnergyGovernmentManufacturing
Responsibilities
Responsible for the Middle East major international market segments/regions with full responsibility for business strategy, capture plan development and execution, and progressive sales growth in alignment with AV strategic plans
Provides thought leadership and strategic guidance to the following areas:
Analyzes current and new markets, develop campaign / capture strategies to grow our business
Gathers pertinent information on market, customer structure, and the competition
Identifies funding sources and sales vehicles
Interfaces with local US Government teams
Identifies initial customers and technical/operational requirements including identifying influencers and key decision makers, determine ‘price-to-win’ and shape requirements towards AV products
Responsible for Sales Forecast and AOP planning, tracking and status reporting to Intl Market Segment Lead in support of global sales operations
Identifies and develops key “value-add” partnerships that support AV strategic international growth goals
Build and maintain trusted and solid relationships across the customer organization at all levels, while facilitating the same for others within AeroVironment
Identification and creation of new business opportunities, primarily government but may include civil
Strengthens the company’s reputation within the customer organization
Utilizes new business processes and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool
Creates capture strategies and execution plans with compelling win strategies for ongoing and new business opportunities
Supports monthly forecast review presentations to leadership, as well as annual strategic planning efforts
Prioritizes investment decisions for review, based on customer requirements, and the pipeline
Identify funding sources, sales vehicles, influencers and decision-makers at prospective customers
Communicates regularly with management and work closely with PLM to provide feedback and recommendations substantiated by progressive knowledge of the customer and competitor landscapes
Qualifies new leads and set up meetings to communicate customer requirements, campaign needs, and due diligence results
In conjunction with the Marketing, Flight Ops, Project Management, and Customer Support Departments, organizes and supports trade shows, flight demonstrations, training, and customer service visits
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or relevant discipline; Advanced degree is preferred
Minimum of 12 years of relevant Business Development experience. Prior relevant experience working with customers within the region and understanding customer requirements/needs/issues, with demonstrated success
In-depth knowledge of geopolitics, regional and in-country operational needs relating to autonomous systems, both aerial and ground
Extensive understanding of cultural and political attributes of countries in the area. Proficiency in Arabic language required
Demonstrated experience in writing proposals and winning contracts
Strong track record of successful sales of autonomous systems to defense & security entities in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Experienced in foreign material sales (FMS), direct commercial sales (DCS), export licensing requirements, FCPA regulations, and interfacing with pertinent foreign and US government channels in areas of operation
Must be living in the Middle East region
Must have a valid driver's license and clean DMV record
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required
Preferred
Having broad expertise or unique knowledge, uses skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve goals in creative and effective ways
Strong Business Development acumen
Strong understanding of USG acquisition and program planning processes
Demonstrated business experience working with cross-functional teams
Strong communication, negotiation, strategic planning and interpersonal skills
Computer skills with proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
Able to work with a high level of independence as well as of a part of high-energy teams
Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
Benefits
Medical
Dental vision
401K with company matching
A 9/80 work schedule
A paid holiday shutdown
Company
AV
At AV, we build shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers, delivering systems shaped by real-world missions, not theoretical requirements.
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.68B2025-07-01Post Ipo Equity· $875M
2025-07-01Post Ipo Debt· $650M
2023-09-19Post Ipo Equity· $109.01M
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