Director, Business Development - Institutional (Space)

TL;DR

Director, Business Development - Institutional (Space): Leading the institutional pipeline and capture management for space safety and debris removal projects with an accent on ESA and EU funding instruments. Focus on shaping complex bids, fostering relationships with national and international space agencies, and aligning product strategy with institutional policy requirements.

Company

hirify.global is a space technology company focused on in-orbit servicing and active debris removal solutions.

What you will do

• Manage the full lifecycle of institutional bids from call opening to submission.
• Track and prioritize institutional funding opportunities across ESA, EU, and national agencies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, finance, and legal for complex consortium-style bids.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key institutional stakeholders and member-state representatives.
• Support the definition of new products and services aligned with institutional programme needs.
• Conduct bid/no-bid reviews and win-theme analysis to ensure high-quality proposal delivery.

Requirements

• Significant experience in bid management within the space industry, specifically with ESA, EU/EIC, or national agency tenders.
• Strong understanding of the institutional space ecosystem, including policy and budget cycles.
• Proven commercial awareness with expertise in risk and opportunity management.
• Excellent communication skills capable of engaging both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) and Active Debris Removal (ADR) activities.
• Fluent English proficiency is required.

Nice to have

• Professional-level proficiency in French or German.
• Existing relationships with stakeholders at the European Commission, ESA, DLR, or CNES.
• Familiarity with defence procurement processes and export control regulations like ITAR.
• Experience with ESA bid financials and PSS form generation.