Business Development Manager

About the job

VentureOne is the dynamic commercialization arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council. We are dedicated to turning applied research from the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) into game-changing commercial products and solutions that address industry challenges worldwide.

We launch ventures that bring deep tech solutions to market, partnering with trusted industry and government entities to ensure our solutions address real-world needs. We also help strengthen the Middle East’s tech ecosystem by providing collaboration opportunities and access to key services including state-of-the-art lab testing and a library of patented tech products.

About the role

We're hiring a Business Development Manager to drive commercialization and revenue generation across three national centers: the Autonomous Robotics Research Center (ARRC), the Propulsion and Space Research Center (PSRC) and the Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC).

This role is for a proven business developer who thrives at the intersection of advanced technologies and commercial strategy. Reporting to the BD Director for ARRC, PSRC and SSRC, you'll be responsible for translating cutting-edge secure and autonomous systems research into tangible products, identifying and pitching them to market opportunities and creating revenue streams.

What You'll Do:

· Support business development initiatives across autonomous and secure systems for government, defense, security and civil applications in the land and air domains.

· Identify, pursue, and support the closure of commercial opportunities with enterprise clients, government agencies, and defense contractors

· Support with building and manage sales pipelines from initial market research through contract negotiation and deal closure

· Drive revenue growth through direct sales, licensing agreements, and technology transfers

· Develop go-to-market strategies for emerging autonomous and secure solutions, including product strategies, pricing models and market positioning

· Conduct market analysis to identify new business opportunities, competitive landscapes, and industry trends

· Manage client relationships and serve as a commercial interface between the centers and potential customers

· Collaborate with technical teams to understand capabilities and translate research outputs into compelling commercial propositions

· Market the technologies and products at industry conferences, trade shows, and commercial forums to generate leads and build market presence

· Support with the negotiation of contracts and commercial agreements while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and IP protection

What We're Looking For:

· 3–5 years in business development, technology commercialization, or sales roles in deep tech environments (mandatory)

· Experience in related aerospace and defence technologies is essential - understanding of airborne and autonomous systems, typical civil and defence use cases, and regional focus areas (mandatory)

· Proven track record of supporting the generation and management of commercial opportunities - demonstrated ability to support the building of pipelines, qualify leads, and convert them into revenue

· Strong hunter mentality with experience in consultative selling and complex B2B/B2G sales cycles (mandatory)

· Experience working with government and defense sectors preferred, including understanding of procurement processes

· Technical background or ability to quickly understand complex technologies and communicate their commercial value

· Excellent negotiation skills with experience of working with structured licensing deals, joint ventures, and technology partnerships

· Strong analytical and market research capabilities to identify opportunities and assess market potential

· Entrepreneurial mindset with experience in startup environments or technology transfer organizations

· Excellent communication and presentation skills for engaging with C-level executives and technical stakeholders

· Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally to meet with clients and attend industry events