Spaceport Business Development Manager

Highly motivated and experienced Business Development Manager to drive our expansion within the European NewSpace and Aerospace market. Including, but not limited to suborbital/orbital launch sites, launch service providers, satellite manufactures/operators, new concepts of operation etc. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the European space ecosystem, a proven track record of successful contract negotiations, and a passion for identifying and securing new business opportunities. This role will be instrumental in expanding our customer base and establishing strategic partnerships within the region. The ideal candidate will enjoy the outward facing part of the role as much as the close collaboration with the Andøya Spaceport team in Andøya, Oslo and the U.S.

The prospective Spaceport Business Developer will be located at our Lysaker office.

Tasks/responsibilities

• Market Analysis & Strategy:
  • Conduct in-depth market research to identify key trends, opportunities, and competitive landscape within the European NewSpace/Aerospace sector.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive business development strategy for the region, aligned with the company's overall growth objectives.
  • Identify and prioritize target customers, including space agencies, prime contractors, and emerging NewSpace companies.
    
    
• Lead Generation & Qualification:
  • Proactively identify and qualify new business leads through networking, industry events, conferences, and online platforms.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders within target organizations.
  • Develop and deliver compelling presentations and proposals tailored to the specific needs of potential clients.

• Contract Negotiation & Closure:
  • Lead and support the negotiation of complex contracts, including sales agreements, partnerships, and joint ventures, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the company.
  • Work closely with legal, finance, and engineering teams to ensure contract compliance and successful execution.
  • Manage the entire sales cycle from initial contact to contract closure and handover to project management.

• Relationship Management:
  • Develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with existing clients and partners, ensuring customer satisfaction and fostering future opportunities.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing industry insights and guidance on relevant solutions.
  
  

• Reporting & Forecasting:
  • Maintain accurate records of all business development activities and opportunities within the company's CRM system.
  • Provide regular reports on sales performance, pipeline development, and market trends to senior management.
  • Contribute to sales forecasting and budgeting processes.

• Public Relations (PR):
  • Building relationships with journalists, bloggers, and influencers to secure positive media coverage.
  • Distributing news announcements about company milestones, product launches, or other newsworthy events.
  • Managing and mitigating negative publicity or challenging situations.
  • Engaging with the local community through events, partnerships, or charitable initiatives.
  • Positioning company executives as experts in their field through speaking engagements, articles, and interviews.
  • Proactively building a community, responding to feedback, participating in relevant conversations.Proactively building a community, responding to feedback, participating in relevant conversations.

Qualifications

Mandatory

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Aerospace, or a related field. An MBA or equivalent advanced degree is preferred.

• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, sales, or a related role within the NewSpace or Aerospace industry.
  • Proven track record of successfully negotiating and closing complex contracts with European space agencies, prime contractors, or NewSpace companies.

• Skills:
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with senior-level stakeholders.
  • Fluency in Norwegian and English is required. Proficiency in another European language (e.g., German, French, Spanish, Italian) is highly advantageous.

• Preferred:
  • MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
  • Strong understanding of the European space market, including key players, funding mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks.
  • Experience with government procurement processes (e.g., ESA, national space agencies) is highly desirable.

European Union Citizenship/ European Economic Area Citizenship

Personal qualities

• Willingness to travel frequently within Europe.
• Strong passion for space exploration and development.
• Good management skills of complex and structural processes.
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and deliver products on time.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Advocate for safety.
• Willing to assist on a wide topic of tasks Enthusiastic about working newspace.

We offer