Director of Business Development (GovTech)

TL;DR

Director of Business Development (GovTech): Leading hirify.global's commercial and government expansion across the DACH region with an accent on strategic partnerships with public sector entities and EU regulatory navigation. Focus on building go-to-market strategies, securing high-level government contracts, and establishing the Swiss operational hub.

Location: Zurich (Hybrid) — Must be based in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)

Total target compensation: CHF 190,000–240,000

Company

hirify.global is a high-growth company expanding its climate and drone technology operations into the European market.

What you will do

• Design and execute the go-to-market and account strategy for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, owning the full deal cycle.
• Build trusted relationships with federal, state, and local government bodies, including water, agriculture, and meteorology ministries.
• Map the EU and national funding landscape (e.g., Horizon Europe, LIFE, EIC) to identify strategic financial opportunities.
• Lead the establishment of the Swiss hub, coordinating regulatory, legal, and UAV airspace access under EASA frameworks.
• Hire and lead the subsequent regional team and create scalable playbooks for further European expansion.
• Represent the company in ministerial meetings, industry forums, and national media across the region.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in business development, government affairs, or commercial sales.
• Professional fluency in German and English.
• Proven track record of building a market from zero, including securing first contracts and regulatory clearances.
• Existing industry relationships in water, agriculture, insurance, energy, environment, or airspace sectors.
• Ability to operate at both high-level strategic and detailed operational altitudes.
• Willingness to travel frequently across the DACH region, Brussels, and the U.S.

Nice to have

• Working knowledge of EU funding and EASA drone regulations.
• Established network in Swiss climate and research circles (e.g., ETH Zurich, MeteoSwiss).
• Experience in crafting and closing novel, complex contracts.
• Scientific literacy in meteorology, hydrology, or related fields.

Culture & Benefits

• Annual base salary with a performance bonus tied to individual and company objectives.
• Equity participation in the company.
• Employment structure following Swiss law, including potential 13th-month salary arrangements.
• High-autonomy, "founder-style" role with significant growth opportunities.
• Modern work environment where the use of AI tools is encouraged and expected.