Vice President, International Business Development

Position description

We live in a world where the boundaries between nations, industries, and technologies are evolving at an unprecedented pace. New global powers, shifting international alliances, and the accelerating pace of technological innovation are creating vast opportunities – and new challenges. Thriving in this dynamic landscape demands visionary leadership. At BAE Systems, we seek an accomplished leader to join our team as Vice President of International Business Development, someone who will navigate global geopolitical shifts, identify emerging opportunities, and drive growth in a world where the rules of the game are being rewritten. At BAE Systems, we deliver mission-critical capabilities that protect our customers, strengthen global security, and advance technological innovation. Are you ready to help lead BAE Systems into the future?

Build on a Legacy of Innovation
Our employees develop and deliver the world’s most advanced aerospace and defense systems, from full-spectrum Electronic Warfare to state-of-the-art CNI systems to advanced flight controls. We’re a team of innovators, driven by a passion for delivering solutions that ensure global security and mission success. With a presence that spans air, land, sea, and space, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in both military and commercial markets.

Lead Our International Business Development Team
We’re seeking a highly accomplished executive to lead our International Business Development team for the Electronic Systems (ES) sector. As Vice President of International Business Development, you’ll play a key role in driving growth in global aerospace and defense markets, partnering closely with Sector and Business Area leadership to shape international market strategies, identify new opportunities, and drive captures that align with our global business objectives.

An Executive Leadership Role with Global Impact
In this critical leadership position, you’ll influence, align and execute business strategies to expand our footprint in key international defense and aerospace markets. You’ll cultivate and maintain influential relationships with international customers, global defense ministries, OEMs, and strategic partners, ensuring our internal strategies align seamlessly with global market opportunities. Your expertise in international defense procurement – including foreign military sales (FMS), direct commercial sales (DCS), and global defense partnerships – will be essential in driving our global growth strategies.

Collaborate with Exceptional Talent
You’ll work closely with business area leadership, product line directors, and capture teams to provide actionable intelligence, shape strategic investments, and position BAE Systems for success in international programs. With customer engagements spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and other key regions, you’ll ensure alignment with global trends, customer requirements, and competitive dynamics.

Join a Culture of Innovation and Collaboration
At BAE Systems, innovation thrives on diversity, collaboration, and inclusion. We draw strength from diverse perspectives and foster an environment where everyone contributes and succeeds. Our mission is clear: “We Protect Those Who Protect Us” and “We Innovate for Those Who Move the World.” If you’re a experienced international business development leader passionate about driving innovation, achieving success, and creating a global impact, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive international business development strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives, identifying key markets and emerging opportunities that drive sustained growth.
2. Customer Engagement: Build and maintain strategic relationships with international customers, defense ministries, and industry partners to gain key insights and position our company for strategic wins.
3. Defense Budget Analysis: Conduct in-depth analysis of defense budgets across key countries to understand total available budget for acquisition, priorities, and trends, translating insights into actionable strategies for business areas and their product lines.
4. Market Prioritization: Utilize market and budget analysis to recommend market prioritization, identifying which markets should be priority markets, which require less emphasis, and which should receive no emphasis, ensuring our resources are focused on high-growth opportunities. Influencing and aligning with business plans and forecasts is imperative.
5. Country Strategies: Create and implement tailored country-specific strategies, addressing cultural, regulatory, and industrial considerations essential for successful market entry and expansion.
6. Capture Management: Oversee major international pursuits, ensuring a disciplined approach to market entry, bid strategies, and competitive positioning.
7. Market Intelligence: Continuously analyze international defense and aerospace trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging customer requirements to inform strategic decisions.
8. Team Development & Leadership: Inspire, organize, and equip the international BD team (~15 members, including 10 direct reports) to achieve strategic objectives, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and results-driven execution.
9. Regulatory & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with international regulations, export control laws (e.g., ITAR, EAR), and U.S. security requirements, understanding international acquisition regulations and industrial participation requirements.
10. Growth & Expansion: Identify and pursue opportunities for joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and technology transfers to expand our global market reach, driving revenue growth and diversification.

This position is a hybrid role which involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remotely.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, International Relations, Engineering, Economics or a related field enabling a global business acumen.
• Minimum of 15+ years proven leadership in international business development or program management within the aerospace and defense industry.
• Demonstrated success leading international business captures, with deep knowledge of foreign military sales (FMS) and direct commercial sales (DCS).
• Deep understanding of global defense markets, customer needs, and government procurement processes … not just the “what” … but also the “why”.
• Comprehensive knowledge of how aerospace and defense systems are used by our customers from a mission perspective.
• Expertise with U.S. and international regulatory frameworks ( ITAR, export compliance) and safeguarding sensitive information.
• Advanced strategic thinking, business acumen, and analytical skills, capable of making data-driven decisions to capitalize on market opportunities.
• Proactive and results-oriented mindset, with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines leveraging resources in a matrixed organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively domestically and internationally (50%+ travel)
• Proven ability to tailor industry best practices to ensure lean, effective business winning.
• Ability to develop customer/supplier engagement strategies to provide the right message, to the right person, at the right time.
• High proficiency in leveraging Microsoft Office suite, Salesforce, and standard CRM tools to create, collaborate, and disseminate critical intelligence.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills to develop and grow relationships with executive leadership, senior government and industry leaders worldwide.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills.

TEAM LEADER EXPERIENCES:

• Demonstrated ability to build and lead a geographically dispersed, high-performance team, ensure alignment with strategic objectives, and deliver results.
• Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.
• Experience designing and executing large business area strategies and associated campaigns.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Master’s degree and 20+ years’ experience in leadership roles
• Complex profit & loss (P&L) experience
• Professional capture management training and certification
• Senior level operational military experience

• Experience leading international business development efforts for a major defense contractor.
• Background in international offset agreements, industrial participation, or technology transfer programs.
• Multilingual capabilities are a plus

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $196296 – $333704

Application instructions

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