Senior Manager, Defense Networks

sesengin•Reston, VA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

SES Space & Defense delivers secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide. Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical. At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field.
Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive experience in business development, capture management, strategic sales, or growth leadership within defense, aerospace, satellite communications, or government technology sectors.
Demonstrated success developing and winning business opportunities with USSOCOM, SOF Components, Combatant Commands, Department of Defense organizations, or allied Special Operations partners.
Strong understanding of USSOCOM acquisition processes, rapid capability development, OTA agreements, FAR-based procurements, contract vehicles, and the federal acquisition lifecycle.
Proven ability to establish executive-level customer relationships and influence strategic decisions.
Experience managing multi-million-dollar opportunity pipelines and achieving revenue growth objectives.
Strong presentation, negotiation, communication, and executive briefing skills.
Ability to effectively communicate across technical and non-technical organizations.
Active U.S. Secret security clearance required; Top Secret/SCI clearance strongly preferred, or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
Must be able to travel up to 40%.

Nice To Haves

Experience in satellite communications (SATCOM), space systems, secure networking, or managed communications services.
Familiarity with military communications architectures, tactical networking, or resilient space-enabled solutions.
Existing relationships within DoW, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, or international defense organizations.
MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify, develop, and execute strategic business development initiatives supporting company growth objectives within USSOCOM and the SOF enterprise.
Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of opportunities across USSOCOM Headquarters, SOF AT&L, PEO SOF Digital Applications (SDA), PEO SOF Warrior, SOF Components (USASOC, NAVSPECWARCOM, AFSOC, and MARSOC), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), Geographic Combatant Commands, and allied Special Operations organizations.
Lead opportunity qualification, competitive positioning, account planning, and customer engagement strategies.
Develop customer engagement plans aligned with SOF modernization priorities, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), Integrated Deterrence, and the evolving needs of globally deployed special operations forces.
Conduct market analysis, competitive intelligence, technology assessments, and customer research to identify emerging mission requirements and acquisition opportunities.
Collaborate with executive leadership to develop long-term growth strategies supporting the SOF mission and adjacent defense markets.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders across USSOCOM, Component Commands, SOF acquisition organizations, Combatant Commands, defense agencies, and industry partners.
Represent SES Space & Defense at SOF conferences, industry days, customer meetings, exercises, experimentation events, and government-sponsored forums.
Develop strategic partnerships, teaming arrangements, and technology collaborations that strengthen competitive positioning.
Serve as the primary interface between customers and internal engineering, operations, product management, and program teams to align operational needs with technical solutions.
Support capture activities from opportunity identification through contract award.
Develop customer-informed win strategies, value propositions, competitive positioning, pricing strategies, and discriminators.
Coordinate cross-functional teams supporting solution development, technical responses, and proposal execution.
Contribute to proposal reviews, executive briefings, white papers, customer presentations, and technical exchanges.
Maintain accurate opportunity data, pipeline forecasts, and customer engagement activities within CRM systems.
Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, finance, legal, contracts, product management, and program management teams.
Provide market intelligence and customer feedback to influence product strategy, service innovation, and technology investment decisions.
Mentor junior business development professionals while fostering a high-performance growth culture focused on collaboration and mission success.