Business Development Manager

Location: Seoul, Korea, Republic of

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

Since 1983, Thales has been present in the Republic of Korea and have been supporting the country’s ambitions and local industry in the defence, civil aviation, and digital identity and space sectors. Headquartered in Seoul, Thales engages in providing solutions that help customers make critical decisions for domains such as air traffic management, in-flight entertainment, space and digital security. With a strategy of strong collaboration with key industrial players, Thales is helping to build local expertise in Korea by engaging in transfer of knowledge, technology and production.

Thales Korea is seeking a highly driven and strategic Senior Business Development Manager to lead business growth and opportunity capture activities in Korea.

This is a hunter role focused on proactively identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities across strategic and technology-driven sectors. The successful candidate will be expected to independently drive customer engagement, build strong industry networks, open doors within complex stakeholder environments, and convert opportunities into sustainable business growth.

The role requires a hands-on, commercially driven, and entrepreneurial individual with strong strategic thinking, excellent relationship-building capabilities, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and competitive environment.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Business Development & Opportunity Capture

• Proactively identify, originate, and develop new business opportunities within the Korean market.
• Lead strategic sales campaigns and opportunity capture activities from early engagement through contract award.
• Develop and execute winning capture strategies and Business Capture Plans in collaboration with regional and business stakeholders.
• Build, manage, and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities to support sustainable business growth.
• Identify and engage key decision-makers, influencers, customers, and partners across government, enterprise, and strategic industry sectors.
• Drive customer engagement through networking, market intelligence, relationship building, and direct outreach activities.
• Participate actively in bid strategy discussions, opportunity reviews, and tender activities to maximise business success.
• Monitor market developments, customer priorities, competitor activities, and emerging trends to identify growth opportunities and business risks.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, partners, government agencies, and key industry stakeholders.
• Position Thales solutions and services to support strategic growth objectives.
• Develop strategic engagement and account plans to strengthen customer relationships and expand market reach.
• Collaborate effectively with Thales Business Lines and Global Business Units based overseas to support opportunity development and business growth initiatives.
• Act as a key interface between local customers and overseas stakeholders to facilitate business collaboration and alignment.

Market Development & Collaboration

• Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships within the local industry ecosystem.
• Contribute to market growth strategies and business expansion initiatives for Korea.
• Maintain strong awareness of the latest Thales technologies, solutions, and market developments to support customer engagement and opportunity creation.
• Foster a collaborative, proactive, and results-oriented working environment.

Requirements:

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in Business Development, Strategic Sales, Capture Management, or Account Management.
• Proven track record in originating and securing new business opportunities in complex and competitive environments.
• Proven track record within Aerospace, Defense, Security, or other strategic high-technology industries.
• Experience engaging government agencies, institutional customers, or large enterprise stakeholders.
• Experience in defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, telecommunications, critical infrastructure, or other high-technology industries is preferred.
• Experience working within multinational and matrix organisations is preferred.
• Strong understanding of the Korean market and business ecosystem.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong hunter mentality with demonstrated ability to open doors and create business opportunities.
• Highly proactive, resourceful, and self-driven with strong commercial acumen.
• Strong strategic thinking and opportunity capture capabilities.
• Excellent networking, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Ability to positively engage and collaborate with overseas Business Lines, Global Business Units, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong interest and ability to remain continuously updated on emerging technologies, solutions, and market trends.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong resilience and persistence.
• Hands-on approach with strong execution focus and results orientation.
• Ability to operate independently in ambiguous and competitive environments.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.

Language

• Full professional fluency in English and Korean with strong verbal and written communication skills.

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.