Senior Director, Sales

Job Description / Duties and Responsibilities

• Own and execute AERO International’s long-term commercial growth strategy with full accountability for order intake and revenue performance.
• Lead and direct all sales and business development activities, including licensed manufacturing and MRO growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, and key customer engagement.
• Provide executive leadership and accountability for the AERO pre-award organization, including business development and account management functions.
• Drive disciplined opportunity management through compliance with AMS standards for pipeline development, proposal execution, pursuit governance, and conversion performance.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing commercial team, fostering a culture of accountability, professional development, and succession readiness.
• Serve as executive owner of AERO International’s primary strategic OEM partnerships, ensuring long-term alignment, growth execution, and value creation.
• Collaborate with and support growth priorities across other AMS businesses, promoting enterprise alignment and cross-portfolio opportunity development.
• Represent and advocate AERO customer and partner interests within the broader AMS organization.
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders and shared services, including Engineering, Program Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Group-level functions.
• Actively participate as a senior member of the AMS Leadership Team, contributing to overall enterprise strategy and performance.
• Represent AERO International with customers, OEM partners, and industry stakeholders, including participation in key meetings, negotiations, and industry events.
• Travel as required (up to 50%) to support customer engagement, business development activities, and strategic partnerships.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated executive-level commercial leadership mindset with the ability to balance near-term execution and long-term strategic growth objectives.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop commercial teams, with a demonstrated record of team and career development.
• Strong executive communication skills, capable of influencing internally at the senior leadership level and externally with OEMs, customers, and partners.
• Expertise in managing complex sales cycles and multiple strategic pursuits simultaneously, with disciplined prioritization and execution.
• Results-oriented leader with strong critical thinking, negotiation, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strategic curiosity and market insight, with the ability to translate customer requirements, platform knowledge, and market trends into executable growth opportunities.
• Proficiency leveraging CRM systems and analytics to drive pipeline rigor, forecast accuracy, and commercial performance.
• Effective communicator to enable collaboration – both to motivate and lead internal teams and drive conversion of customer opportunities.

Education and Experience Requirements

• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive commercial experience with proven results in leadership, business development and sales required, preferably in the defense sector.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Experience leading an integrated sales team in a complex trading environment
• Proven ability to utilize a CRM tool effectively to drive productivity and improve customer experience
• Extensive experience working with US military requirements, acquisition processes, and operational agencies
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of tools
• Able to regularly visit key division customers
• Able to work extended hours when necessary

Preferred

• Technical sales/business development
• Military background
• Background/experience with defense OEMs and related platforms