Senior Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager - Eastern Europe and Beyond

Paris, France | 3-4 days a week in the office | Regular travel (30-40%)

The company

Imagine knowing about a flood or a drought before it arrives. That’s what this company does. They use satellite data and AI to forecast how water moves through the world, and they help governments, energy companies, insurers and river basin authorities plan around it. It’s practical, high-stakes work that protects communities, infrastructure and livelihoods.

They’re a growing, mission-led team of hydrologists, analysts and engineers who are moving into an exciting new phase. This new hire will be a key part of their growth over the next 1-2 years.

The role

You’ll lead commercial growth across Eastern Europe initially and into other regions around the world. You’ll be selling complex technology solutions to top tier customers including government agencies, institutions and large organisations. Their deals are complex, with long sales cycles and they work in a highly relationship driven market.

There is a warm pipeline for this person to pick up and move through the sales funnel, so you won’t be starting from a blank page. But you need to be comfortable with new business development, finding new opportunities, seeing what’s happening in the market and opening new doors with customers and strategic partners.

Day to day, that means:

• Finding, qualifying and winning new business with public and institutional clients
• Building trusted relationships, from technical managers right up to ministerial decision-makers
• Leading or supporting tender responses and contract negotiations
• Working with funders such as development banks and international donors to help structure and finance projects
• Keeping the CRM up to date so the whole team can see what’s moving
• Travelling to meet clients and move deals forward

Who we’re looking for

A collaborative, highly communicative, team player who knows that sales can't work in silo. Someone who is proactive in working with hydrologists and analysts to build solutions and answer complex questions.

You’ll have:

• Experience selling complex technology projects (ideally something involving hardware and software if possible)
• Experience selling to government and / or utilities
• The patience and people skills to build trust across different cultures and ways of doing business internationally
• A proactive streak; you go and find the opportunity rather than wait for it
• Fluent English - we are based in Paris, but operate in English day to day.

It would be a real plus if you also have:

• Knowledge of the Eastern European market and how deals get done there
• Fluent Russian (highly desirable but not essential)
• Experience with development financing or international cooperation projects A background in environmental, water or data-driven services
  • Knowledge of the Eastern European market and how deals get done there
  • Fluent Russian (highly desirable but not essential)
  • Experience with development financing or international cooperation projects
  • A background in environmental, water or data-driven services

  What’s on offer

  • A role with a clear purpose, protecting people and places from water-related risk
  • A new Paris office near Galeries Lafayette, with a team that works together collaboratively 3-4 days / week.
  • Direct access to the experts and technology behind what you’re selling
  • Real influence on how a growing company approaches its markets