VP Business Development Avionics

Job Description

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

TOGETHER WE MAKE THE BIG AMBITIONS OF TOMORROW HAPPEN TODAY

Knowing what Thales does today, means asking where technology is taking us tomorrow. We are creating the waves of digital transformation that will cary our customers into the future. Where these transformations intersect and interfere is where the most interesting and innovative tomorrows are being built. Thales operates at the intersection of these technologies to find every tomorrow.

We are currently looking for a VP of Business Development Helicopters to join our Thales Avionics in Arlington, VA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Overall leadership
  • Develop the overall US avionics business development strategy, as well as internal and external partnerships in strong coordination with FLX strategy team
  • Support the development of the FLX marketing plan (US vision) and the North America marketing plan.
  • Champion collaboration and team work practices
  • Implement efficient tools, methods and behaviors targeting high levels of professionalism and efficiency
  • Coach, mentor and guide the managers in their mission and support them in cross functional interaction
• Lead and manage the Business Development and sales team, which missions are to:
  • Analyze the accessible and non-accessible market, customer needs and developments, budgeted investment programs, competition (strategy, products)
  • Develop and execute formal capture plans as part of cross functional team, and monitor competitor activity for each capture, move opportunities through the business development and proposal processes
  • Track opportunities through the GRCM
  • Ensure that the industry OEMs, US military services (USAF, USA, USMC, USN), other government customers and associated industry partners (both prime and Tier 2 partners) are familiar with Thales’ capabilities in the areas of avionics.
  • Be conversant and aware of Thales’ aviation products and services.
  • Collaborate with all internal participants necessary to support capture efforts, including but not limited to: Thales Avionics’ GBU leadership in France; US and Europe based technical, financial, sales and contracts support personnel; and others (e.g. engineering, services, legal, etc.) engaged in business capture and proposal development processes.
  • Collaborate with Military Aircraft avionics team, Boeing Air Transport BD team, TopMax Sales & Marketing, Thales Visionix BD team to ensure coordinated account management and develop cross-fertilization.
  • Present executive level presentations to customers, partners and high ranking military leadership.
  • Develop with intra-groups teams solutions that increase US local content to the benefit of the end-user satisfaction
• Program execution
  • execute and deliver avionics solutions (Flight Management Systems, Avionics cockpits, Flight controls...), ensuring they meet the technical, schedule and allocated budget performances as well as, specifications, customer satisfaction and delivering as per contract. This is performed in close collaboration with the intra-group entities involved in the solutions,
  • directly manage US local program managers and technical support team
• P&L ownership
  • generate sufficient Order Intakes in the short - medium term to establish an autonomous P&L in the US, initially balanced, progressively more profitable by including more local content
  • be held accountable to the committed budget

Skills and Experience Required:

• Experience in competitive business capture, strategy development, corporate teaming, proposal development, program execution, technical solutions
• Good contextual skills (legal, finance..)
• A strong network of contacts throughout the aviation community both uniformed and civilian and the Defense Industry.
• Familiarity with the acquisition organizations of the associated services.
• Business development experience.
• A strong understanding and experience of avionics systems
• Demonstrated experience leading cross functional teams.
• Experience working within a matrix business environment

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/AA/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled.