Space Business Development Manager

Serco is seeking a Sales and Business Development Manager to join our Space business, based in Darmstadt, Germany.

The successful candidate(s) will be proactive, positive, innovative, customer focused, responsive, and able to develop and sell tailored solutions whilst consistently delivering results. This role holder will be responsible for end-to-end business development throughout the entire bid lifecycle (typically from Gate 0 through to Gate 5), including win theme development and refinement, pursuit strategy, pricing, teaming, competitive analysis and black hats, solution development, and colour team reviews.

This role reports directly to the Serco Business Development Director for the Programme Management and Engineering domain and will work closely with the Space leadership and contract management teams to deliver on the German growth plan.

Key Responsibilities

• In a dynamic market environment, meet the growth objectives set by the German business development plan both in terms of Order Bookings and margins, contributing to account management activities.
• Implement the commercial strategy and sales plan established by the Space Business Development Director
• Ensure deals are successfully managed according to corporate governance processes.
• Develop a pipeline of new business opportunities to ensure growth targets are achieved.
• Analyse market trends, competitor activity, regulatory changes, and emerging space‑related services.
• Understand Serco’s capabilities and assess them against customer requirements and challenges, identifying gaps and promoting Serco capabilities and solutions.
• Map potential partners, clients and ecosystems with Serco offerings.
• Coordinate organic growth actions with other contract managers and business development managers.
• For each opportunity, develop a win strategy with compelling win themes, competitive analysis, and a price‑to‑win strategy.
• Manage the full sales cycle—from initial contact to negotiation and contract signature.
• Work with internal teams—from bid to solutions architects—to prepare winning proposal, bis and RFI/RFP responses.
• Develop consultative relationships with all customers to position Serco at the heart of upcoming opportunities.
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships within the customer community and industry to identify new business opportunities and partnerships aligned to the growth plan.
• Support the development of a network of senior relationships with customers and potential customers.
• Work closely with solutions, marketing, and operational teams to align business and technical strategies.
• Collaborate with business development teams to understand and analyse unsuccessful bid activity and ensure these insights feed into future proposition development.
• Support the representation of Serco in all relevant professional associations.
• In coordination with the Space marketing team, attend and coordinate Serco’s presence at sales events and fairs.
• Contribute to content creation including whitepapers, presentations, and strategic briefings.

Skills

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Business.
• Deep understanding of satellite systems, space missions, or space data applications.
• Strong knowledge of Navigation and/or SatCom domains is an asset.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to translate technical capabilities into commercial value propositions.
• Open minded and able to interact with confidence with all stakeholders.
• Motivated by challenge and looking for business success.
• Enjoys teamworking and is used to cooperate with bidding, legal, finance and operational teams in an international environment.
• Exercises good judgement with decision‑making skills.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to assimilate information quickly, cut through to determine resolution, communicate key messages simply and effectively to the business.
• Fluent in English and German.
• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in the space sector (commercial and/or government, space agencies).
• Knowledge of the German space ecosystems.
• Demonstrated success in sales, partnerships, or business development roles within the space sector.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Existing network with key actors in the European or global space ecosystem.
• Knowledge of procurement processes for institutional programs.

Package Description

• Hybrid working model for flexibility.
• 30% discount on the Deutschland ticket for easy travel.
• Subsidised Wellpass – access to 12,500+ fitness and wellness options across Germany.
• JobRad
• Pension and health schemes.
• 30 days of holiday for balance and exploration.
• Corporate benefits – exclusive employee discounts at partner companies.
• Extensive annual training and development opportunities.
• Company events and employee initiatives focused on sustainability, inclusion, and diversity.