Executive Director Defense SATCOM Sales
At a glance
Director-level Sales Leadership role at thinkom. Hawthorne · full-time · $170,000–$250,000 base.
growthroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Set sales priorities with the Defense SATCOM vice president and focus on valuable opportunities and product capabilities
- Find and develop customers among U.S. defense offices, military branches and prime contractors
- Assess deal requirements, revenue prospects, competitive odds and risks before shaping proposed solutions
- Lead negotiations and recommend partner teams or alliances that can improve the chance of winning
- Build lasting ties with defense customers and industry stakeholders, using market and competitor findings to guide positioning
What you bring
- At least five years in sales or business development serving U.S. military or defense markets, or equivalent experience
- Strong writing, speaking and presentation skills for discussions with internal teams and external stakeholders
- Proficiency with Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and qualify for a U.S. DoD security clearance
Who this fits
This director-level sales role suits someone who can lead defense opportunities from early targeting through negotiations and closure. You should be comfortable traveling up to sixty percent, working irregular or extended hours, and shifting priorities. Engineering or related experience in satcom, aerospace or defense electronics is preferred; an active Top Secret clearance is also preferred.
From the employer
Build the Future of High-Performance Connectivity
At ThinKom, we don’t just build antennas - we design high-performance, next-generation mechanical systems that connect the world across air, land, sea, and space. From Inflight Connectivity (IFC) to High-Power Microwave (HPM) systems to Defense SATCOM, our technology operates in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
POSITION SUMMARY
ThinKom is seeking an experienced, results-driven Executive Director in Sales to drive business growth across U.S. Military and Defense SATCOM markets. In this role, you will collaborate with key internal stakeholders to define, refine, and execute comprehensive sales and marketing strategies tailored to defense applications.
You will be responsible for expanding ThinKom’s market footprint by establishing and nurturing strategic relationships with key decision-makers and influencers across the U.S. Department of Defense and major Defense Prime Contractors. From initial opportunity identification and capture strategy through proposal submission, commercial negotiations, and deal closure, you will lead the full sales lifecycle to deliver advanced Defense SATCOM solutions - via both direct government programs and strategic prime partnerships.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Strategic Sales Leadership: Serve as an Executive Sales leader driving revenue generation and sales initiatives across Defense SATCOM markets. Collaborate closely with the Vice President of Defense SATCOM to prioritize target opportunities, refine go-to-market strategies, and focus sales efforts on high-value product capabilities.
- Business Development & Opportunity Capture: Identify, target, and cultivate new customer relationships across key U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) offices, military branches, and major Defense Prime Contractors. Proactively source, evaluate, and pursue new sales opportunities to expand ThinKom’s market footprint.
- Sales & Marketing Strategy: In collaboration with the VP of Defense & Space Sales, VP of Defense SATCOM, and executive management, contribute to the development and execution of long-term strategic marketing plans and targeted sales objectives for the Defense SATCOM sector.
- Deal Screening & Commercial Analysis: Evaluate prospective deals by analyzing market dynamics, requirements, revenue potential, and ThinKom’s competitive win probability. Formulate negotiating strategies, assess business risks, and align proposed solutions with customer and partner mission goals.
- Deal Closure & Partner Alliances: Lead and facilitate commercial negotiations to successfully close key sales opportunities. Identify and recommend strategic partnerships, teaming arrangements, and industry alliances to maximize win probability on specific product offerings.
- Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis: Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, customer requirement shifts, and competitor activities. Leverage insights gained from trade shows, industry publications, and defense forums to inform product positioning and business strategy.
- Client Relationship Management: Build, nurture, and maintain long-term, trusted relationships with current and prospective DoD customers, program managers, and key industry prime stakeholders.
- Professional Standards & Brand Stewardship: Represent ThinKom with the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and confidentiality. Enhance corporate brand recognition and market reputation through highly responsive, professional engagement.
- Professional Development: Maintain technical and industry expertise through continuous learning, active networking, and participation in relevant Defense Satcom professional organizations and industry events.
- Ad-Hoc Support: Execute other strategic or operational business development tasks as assigned.
WHAT YOU BRING
Must-Haves:
- Industry Experience: Minimum of 5 years in sales and/or business development within U.S. Military/Defense markets (or equivalent industry experience).
- Communication & Presentation Skills: Exceptional written, verbal, and formal presentation skills. Capable of communicating calmly, persuasively, and professionally across all organizational levels and with outside stakeholders.
- Organizational & Time Management: Strong ability to prioritize, track progress toward key objectives, manage multiple accounts concurrently, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Professional Temperament & Soft Skills: High energy, creative problem-solving mindset, strong work ethic, and high emotional intelligence. Ability to collaborate constructively across teams, handle internal decision-making diplomatically, and represent ThinKom with uncompromised integrity.
- Technical Proficiency: Proficient with core business software applications (MS Office suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Security & Eligibility: Must be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) due to U.S. Government contract requirements, and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Security Clearance.
Nice-to-Haves (Preferred):
- Technical Background: Engineering-related training, degree, or hands-on industry work experience within Satcom, aerospace, or defense electronics.
- Security Clearance: Active U.S. DoD Top Secret Security Clearance.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Travel & Hours: Requires willingness and ability to travel up to 60% of the time. Subject to irregular and/or extended work hours, as well as shifting priorities in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment.
- Physical Requirements: Frequently sitting, using a computer terminal, and communicating across internal teams and external customers. Occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, reach, bend, and lift, push, or pull up to 50 lbs.
- Work Environment: Primarily standard office and business environments, with occasional presence in facilities subject to loud noises and regulated hazardous materials or chemicals.
WHY JOIN THINKOM?
At ThinKom, you'll work on innovative technologies that connect people around the world. Our engineers are empowered to solve meaningful technical challenges, collaborate with industry experts, and contribute to products that make a real impact. We value innovation, teamwork, technical excellence, and continuous learning while providing an environment where engineers can grow their careers and influence the future of advanced communications technology.
We foster a collaborative culture that values innovation, technical excellence, continuous learning, and professional growth. If you're looking for an opportunity to solve complex engineering challenges while helping shape the future of advanced antenna and electromagnetic technologies, we encourage you to apply.
Salary Range - $170,000 - $250,000 with Large Bonus Potential and Stock Options
ThinKom offer generous benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, 401k Matching (4%), PTO, paid Holidays and Bonus Plan
ThinKom Solutions is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
ThinKom Solutions is a Drug and Alcohol free working environment with a zero-tolerance policy
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