VP, Business Development

Join to apply for the VP, Business Development - EMEA role at Loft Orbital3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicantsJoin to apply for the VP, Business Development - EMEA role at Loft OrbitalWanna join the adventure?We are seeking aCommercial opportunities across EuropeFrance 2030 initiatives, including the Hexagon projectBuild and manage strategic partnerships like the one Loft just announced with HelsingCNES, European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission (EC)Other institutional opportunities, including DLR, UKSA, and othersWanna join the adventure?We are seeking a VP, Business Development - EMEA to lead and expand Loft Orbital’s business development efforts across key European institutional and commercial sectors. This role is pivotal in strengthening our relationships with European governmental bodies, agencies, and commercial players, with a particular focus on:Commercial opportunities across EuropeFrance 2030 initiatives, including the Hexagon projectBuild and manage strategic partnerships like the one Loft just announced with HelsingCNES, European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission (EC)Other institutional opportunities, including DLR, UKSA, and othersAs a senior leader, you will be responsible for identifying, influencing, and securing strategic opportunities that drive Loft Orbital’s growth in the region. Your role will involve engaging deeply with stakeholders, crafting winning proposals, and ensuring Loft Orbital remains at the forefront of the European space sector.About the Role:Lead Loft Orbital’s business development efforts in Europe with respect to France 2030, CNES, ESA, and European Commission prioritiesDevelop and execute strategies to influence Requests for Proposals (RFPs) by engaging in continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, producing white papers, and increasing Loft Orbital’s visibility and credibilityManage Loft Orbital’s responses to RFPs, including coordinating technical and commercial inputsEstablish a lobbying and communications plan to maximize contract win ratesIdentify and develop new institutional and commercial opportunities within CNES, DLR, UKSA, and other European entitiesBuild and maintain a strong sales pipeline by identifying high-value opportunities and fostering relationships with potential customersLead contract negotiations to successfully secure business dealsRegularly engage with French and European government agencies, leading discussions on both business and technical aspects of Loft Orbital’s offeringsAct as a bridge between Loft Orbital’s engineering team and customers, ensuring technical solutions align with client needsSpearhead the creation of white papers and technical proposals, either through direct authorship or by coordinating internal teamsSynthesize and effectively communicate Loft Orbital’s capabilities, including software development, satellite system design, and satellite operations, to institutional and commercial stakeholders across EuropeMust Haves:Proven track record of securing business with CNES, ESA, EC, and other European government institutionsDeep understanding of the procurement processes and operational structures within CNES, ESA, EC, and the French Government10+ years of relevant experience in a business development or customer-facing role within the space industry, with a strong technical foundation in space systemsExperience in CNES/ESA/EC lobbying and strategic influenceStrong background in technical writing, particularly in RFP responses and proposalsExceptional professional communication and negotiation skillsFluency in French and English, both written and spokenNice to Haves:Existing relationships with DLR, UKSA, and other European institutional stakeholdersExperience working with commercial space companies and understanding of emerging European space market dynamicsBackground in satellite system design, mission operations, or space-related software developmentPrior experience working in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial environmentExperience with emerging European space startups or venture capital-backed space initiativesResearch shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t check all the boxesWho We AreLoft Orbital builds “shareable” satellites, providing a fast & simple path to orbit for organizations that require access to space. Powered by our hardware & software products, we operate satellites, fly customer payloads onboard, and handle entire missions from end to end - significantly reducing the lead-time and risk of a traditional space mission.Our standard interface enables us to fly multiple customer payloads on the same satellite, with capabilities such as earth imagery, weather & climate /science data collection, IoT connectivity, in-orbit demonstrations, and national security missions. Our customers trust us to manage their space infrastructure, so they can focus on what matters most to them: operating their mission and collecting their data.At Loft, you’ll be given the autonomy and ownership to solve significant challenges, but with a close-knit and supportive team at your back. We believe that diversity and community are the foundation of an open culture. We are committed to hiring the best people regardless of background and make their time at Loft the most fulfilling period of their career.We value kind, supportive and team-oriented collaborators. It is also crucial for us that you are a problem solver and a great communicator. As our team is international, you will need strong English skills to better collaborate, easily communicate complex ideas and convey important messages.With 6 satellites on-orbit and a wave of exciting missions launching soon, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA | Golden, CO | and Toulouse, France.As an international company your resume will be reviewed by people across our offices so please attach a copy in English.Seniority levelSeniority levelNot ApplicableEmployment typeEmployment typeContractJob functionJob functionBusiness Development and SalesIndustriesDefense and Space ManufacturingReferrals increase your chances of interviewing at Loft Orbital by 2xSign in to set job alerts for “Vice President of Business Development” roles.Greater Toulouse Metropolitan Area 3 years agoSenior Business Unit Manager - Toulouse, France (H/F)AvioBook Head of Sales and Account Management (H/F)Business Development Representative (H/F)We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. 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