Senior Business Development Lead - Hivemind - Netherlands

Shield AI zoekt een Senior Business Development Lead om de groei van Hivemind Autonomy in Nederland te stimuleren, met focus op defensie- en overheidsklanten. De rol omvat het identificeren, vormgeven en afsluiten van complexe kansen, het opbouwen van duurzame klantrelaties en het uitvoeren van gedisciplineerde capture-strategieën. Je werkt nauw samen met Sales Leadership, Product, Engineering en Strategic Engagement teams om klantbehoeften af te stemmen op Hivemind's autonomiecapaciteiten en missiekritieke resultaten te leveren.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the full sales lifecycle for Hivemind opportunities across assigned accounts/territories (pipeline generation through close)
• Develop and execute territory and capture strategies for priority pursuits, aligning with Shield AI’s long-term strategic plan
• Identify, qualify, and shape new business opportunities through deep understanding of customer missions, budgets, and acquisition pathways
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers, program offices, and influencers across defense and government customers
• Lead proposal development in partnership with BD Operations and cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and value propositions
• Conduct competitive analysis and position Hivemind effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Solutions teams to translate customer needs into compelling technical and operational solutions
• Manage deal progression with rigour (qualification, deal strategy, forecasting accuracy, CRM hygiene)
• Represent Shield AI at industry events, conferences, and customer engagements to expand market presence and pipeline
• Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and leadership on pipeline status, risks, and key milestones

Requirements

• 10–15+ years of experience in business development, sales, or capture roles in technically complex domains (AI/ML, autonomy, SaaS, aerospace/defence, or similar)
• Proven track record of owning and closing deals, particularly within European government or defence markets
• Deep understanding of defence acquisition processes and government procurement lifecycle
• Strong experience developing and executing capture strategies for complex opportunities
• Technical aptitude and ability to engage credibly with Engineering, Product, and Operational stakeholders
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and capable of operating in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor’s degree required

Nice to have

• Experience selling autonomy, AI/ML, or unmanned systems (UAS) solutions
• Prior military experience a plus
• Established relationships within defense, government, or aerospace customer sets
• Experience working with Large Systems Integrators (LSIs) and strategic partners
• Ability to travel as needed for customer engagements and industry events
• Active or eligibility for security clearance
• MBA or equivalent graduate degree