Director of Business Development

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for a role, Director of Business Development.

Imagine combining the excitement of building something new with the confidence of joining a company that already knows how to win. Ariane Group is the industrial prime contractor for Europe’s Ariane 6 launcher, on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), and for the M51 strategic missile on behalf of the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency, DGA.

Internationally recognized for its innovative, competitive solutions, Ariane Group has expertise in state-of-the-art technologies, from the chemistry of propellants and composite materials to liquid, solid, and electric space propulsion systems. Ariane Group also offers a broad range of space, defense, and industrial equipment and services, both individually and together with its subsidiaries Sodern, Pyroalliance, Nuclétudes, and APP.

The defense business focuses on Strategic Missile Systems, Long-Range Strike Systems, and Critical Defense Infrastructure. Ariane Group is the prime contractor for France’s M51 nuclear deterrent missile family and manages system design, development, production, through-life support, operational readiness, and future upgrades. The company is currently developing a long-range land-strike capability along with hypersonic and advanced propulsion technologies. Additionally, Ariane Group develops ground systems for space security infrastructure, strategic command and control support, and launch and missile test facilities

Ariane Group has come to Colorado with the creation of its subsidiary, Sodern America, to develop its space equipment manufacturing activity in the United States. Sodern America marks Ariane Group’s first industrial presence on American soil to support the group’s fast-growing equipment manufacturing activity in this market and to strengthen the commercial foothold of Ariane Group in the US market. Sodern builds sensors for the defense and space sectors and is a critical electronics manufacturer in the Ariane Group portfolio.

It opens strong growth prospects for several fast-growing activities at Ariane Group and its subsidiaries.

Ariane Group Holding is a 50/50 joint venture between Airbus and Safran. The company was created by combining the two firms’ space launch and missile activities and serves as Europe’s leading launcher and strategic missile prime contractor.

The Director of Business Development for Ariane Group Defense is a leadership position responsible for driving growth and market expansion within the US. This go-to-market leader will focus on identifying and capturing new business; they will be solution-oriented and work with Ariane Group’s leadership to execute on the broader strategy. S/he will immediately focus on honing and expanding the dialogue about customer needs—the Director must be comfortable establishing a new market motion and being a feedback mechanism with the customer.

Entrepreneurial in spirit, this pivotal new leader will develop growth opportunities for Ariane Group’s products, equipment, and services within the US defense sector, including nozzle throats and extensions, divert and attitude control systems and components, Ceramic Matrix Composite components and materials, variation thrusts, separation systems and equipment, igniters, energetic materials and many others. The role requires close functional follow-up with Ariane Group program teams in France and Germany.

Development opportunities may lead to the creation of production capacities to meet US needs.

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the changing defense acquisition landscape, requiring relevant agency touchpoints for long‑term engagement alongside…