Business Development Manager Defense (m/w/d) Business Development Manager Defense (m/w/d) France/UK or Germany, remote SpotLIGHT of the job Did you know military bases across Europe invest billions every year in modern infrastructure? If you understand the defense world and see business development not just as a job but as your mission – we want you on our team. We’re looking for a Business Development Manager (Defense) to introduce and position our high-performance infrastructure and lighting solutions in mission-critical environments – from military bases to training grounds and logistics hubs. Responsibilities Market Development: Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities within the European and NATO-aligned defense sector. Network Building: Establish a trusted ecosystem of stakeholders—from decision-makers and planners to integrators and prime contractors. Go-to-Market Strategy: Develop tailored market entry strategies that comply with defense-specific standards and regulations. Pipeline Management: Build and manage a cross-border pipeline of opportunities with solid account governance. Market Intelligence: Monitor procurement cycles, competitor moves, and market trends to refine our approach. Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams (product, marketing, operations) to meet client expectations and deliver results. Skills & Experience Industry Expertise: Proven experience working within or alongside the defense and military infrastructure sector. Sales Excellence: Strong track record in international business development and global key account management. Languages: Near-native French, fluent English (spoken and written); German is a plus. Travel Readiness: Willingness to travel extensively across Europe (~60%) and occasionally intercontinentally (e.g., USA, APAC, LATAM). Mindset: Strategic thinker with a hands-on attitude, strong negotiation skills, and a solution-driven approach. What we offer Successful, international group with family DNA. Individual options to ensure a healthy work-life balance. Great team of experts who can support you. Varied field of activity with personal responsibility. Numerous opportunities for further development in an innovative and empowering company. What matters to us We understand not only the power of the visible, but also the invisible. Like light, diversity is intangible, but it is perceptible. We value the uniqueness of every person and see this as a driver of innovation. Qualified applicants will be considered regardless of, for example, origin, skin color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or disability. As the contact person for this position, a great candidate experience is important to me! I will reach out to you within 7 days. Please inform me of any assistance you may need, so I can best support you throughout the hiring process. Talent Acquisition Partner Michelle Kewer T +49 170 3385 197 Who we are At the Zumtobel Group, we are passionate about designing and producing light that empowers humans and brings architecture to life. We continuously push the boundaries in our search for perfection through timeless design, technical excellence and efficient performance. Through light, we create spaces that inspire. As we develop the next generation of lighting, we consider the wellbeing of people and nature. Our lighting is designed for our customers and their individual aspirations. We guide them into a new world of opportunities – as a group, and through all our individual brands, Thorn, Tridonic and Zumtobel. Learn more about our Group in our enlightening video - where WE LIVE LIGHT and thrive together! The result is a series of personal and authentic insights into our corporate culture - illustrated from different perspectives. Follow us: WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT LIGHT. We share a passion for light, creating aesthetic, functional, and sustainable lighting solutions that enhance quality of life. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT CREATING INNOVATIVE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. Sustainability and innovation drive everything we do — shaping a responsible, climate-neutral future. WE ARE INTERNATIONAL AND PERSONAL AT THE SAME TIME. While we have grown from a family business into a global organization, our collaborative spirit and familial culture remain integral to our identity. APPLY HERE