Van's Aircraft · 1 month ago
Business Development Manager - Aircraft
Aurora, OR
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
5+ years expVan’s Aircraft is the world leader in manufacturing personal aircraft, and they are seeking an Aircraft Business Development Manager to help connect more people to the joy of flying a Van’s aircraft. This dynamic, customer-facing role requires a passionate IFR-rated pilot who will leverage their aviation knowledge to guide customers through the sales journey and maintain strong relationships.
Manufacturing
Responsibilities
Leverage your aviation knowledge and strong interpersonal skills to showcase the benefits of owning a Van’s aircraft
Engage with prospective customers to understand their mission, flying experience, and preferences—then match them with the right RV model and build path (kit or factory-built)
Guide customers through the full sales journey, from initial inquiry to final delivery, ensuring a positive and informative experience at every stage
Prepare and deliver persuasive sales presentations and aircraft demonstrations tailored to each prospect
Maintain accurate and timely records of sales activity, track progress toward individual and team sales goals, and report updates to management
Continuously monitor the personal aviation landscape—including competitive aircraft, features, and trends—to inform both customer guidance and internal strategy
Travel regularly to meet with prospective customers, conduct demo flights, and represent Van’s Aircraft at major aviation events, fly-ins, and trade shows
Accurately prepare sales contracts, documentation, and follow-up materials to support a smooth and professional customer experience
Qualification
Required
FAA Instrument-rated Private Pilot certificate or higher
5+ years of customer-facing sales experience in aviation
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor messages to pilots of all experience levels
Passion for aviation, with deep knowledge of aircraft performance, mission profiles, and ownership considerations
Enthusiastic, self-driven personality with a love for the sales process and a strong internal drive to meet or exceed targets
Willingness to travel for demos, events, and customer visits
Familiarity with CRM tools and organized tracking of customer engagement and deal flow
Preferred
Experience with demo flights or CFI background
Company
Van's Aircraft
Van’s Aircraft, Inc. designs and manufactures kits for one, two, and four-seat aluminum kit aircraft.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Rian Johnson
President & CTO
Greg Hughes
Vice President - Chief Operating Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase