Director, Business Development
XwingAbout the role
About Us:
Xwing is a cutting-edge aerospace technology company focused on revolutionizing the future of aviation. Backed by industry veterans and top-tier investors, our mission is to build a safer, more efficient, and more accessible air transportation system powered by autonomous flight. By combining artificial intelligence, proprietary software, and hardware solutions, Xwing is bringing uncrewed aircraft to commercial aviation. We are computer scientists, roboticists, and aerospace experts who are at the forefront of the transformation of the aviation industry.
Founded in 2016, Xwing is based in Northern California with offices in San Francisco and in Concord, CA. In 2021, Xwing completed the world's first fully autonomous cargo flight with a remote crew supervising the flight from the ground. In 2023, Xwing became the first company with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification project for an uncrewed aircraft system for large aircraft.
Visit xwing.com to learn more, and see all available positions under "Careers" to join our rapidly growing team.
Who We’re Looking For:
Xwing is seeking an accomplished and results-oriented Director of Business Development to lead all commercial activities within the company. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be responsible for developing and executing the commercial strategy, driving business growth, establishing strategic partnerships, and ensuring successful go-to-market initiatives. This position offers a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of autonomous aviation across both commercial and military applications.Some Key Responsibilities:
- Commercial Strategy: Develop and implement the overall commercial strategy to drive business growth and market penetration, taking into account both commercial and military applications of Xwing's technology.
- Business Development: Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including customer acquisition, strategic partnerships, and expansion into new markets, to achieve revenue and market share targets.
- Partnership Development: Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with key industry players, including aircraft manufacturers, airlines, logistics companies, regulatory bodies, and government entities, to drive adoption and maximize market reach.
- Go-to-Market Planning: Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for Xwing's products and solutions, including pricing, positioning, and marketing plans, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market demands.
- Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential customers, understanding their needs, addressing concerns, and providing exceptional customer service and support.
- Market Intelligence: Stay abreast of market trends, competitive landscape, and industry developments to identify new opportunities, potential risks, and inform business strategies and decision-making.
- Contract Negotiations: Lead contract negotiations and close deals with customers and partners, ensuring favorable terms and mutually beneficial agreements.
- Team Leadership: Build and manage a high-performing business development team, providing coaching, mentorship, and guidance to foster professional growth and maximize team effectiveness.
- Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, finance, and legal, to ensure seamless execution of business development initiatives and successful project delivery.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience: A minimum of 7 years of experience in business development, sales, or related roles, preferably within the aerospace, DoD, aviation, or technology sectors. Experience in military domains is highly desirable.
Desired Qualifications:
- Business Acumen: Strong business and financial acumen with a proven track record of developing and implementing successful commercial strategies, driving revenue growth, and delivering on business objectives.
- Industry Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the aerospace industry, including key commercial and military stakeholders, market dynamics, regulatory landscape, and emerging trends. Familiarity with autonomous systems and aviation technologies is a plus.
- Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and develop innovative business models to capitalize on market potential.
- Partnership Management: Proven experi
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