The Sales Director for Cybersecurity Solutions plays a critical role in driving strategic growth and business expansion across multiple industries, including automotive, financial services, operational technology (OT), industrial cybersecurity, defense, energy, and critical infrastructure. This role is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive sales strategies tailored to OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and enterprise clients, ensuring market positioning, revenue targets, and client relationships align with business objectives.
Leading a dedicated sales team, the Sales Director collaborates with cross-functional departments such as R&D, marketing, and product management to align cybersecurity solutions with evolving market demands. They oversee high-stakes negotiations, structure complex deals, and secure large-scale contracts while maintaining a strong focus on compliance with industry regulations and standards. Additionally, they provide continuous market analysis, staying ahead of industry trends and monitoring competitive activities to maintain a market-leading position. Given the company’s growth strategy and the need to expand beyond the DACH region, this role is pivotal in driving business development efforts into new international markets. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in business expansion, identifying new industry verticals, and fostering strategic partnerships. This position demands a proactive leader who can manage risks, scale market reach, and ensure cybersecurity solutions meet the specific needs of diverse industries while driving sustained revenue growth.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and execute sales strategy: Define and implement a strategic sales plan targeting OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, financial institutions, energy providers, and industrial manufacturers, to expand market reach.
* Client relationship management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across industries, ensuring cybersecurity solutions meet customer needs and regulatory requirements.
* Revenue growth and target setting: Drive revenue by setting ambitious sales targets, identifying new business opportunities, and expanding into global and non-automotive markets.
* Team leadership and development: Lead and mentor a high-performing sales team, fostering a results-driven and customer-centric culture.
* Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with R&D, product development, and marketing teams to align cybersecurity solutions with emerging threats and market demands.
* Market analysis and competitive intelligence: Conduct in-depth research on cybersecurity trends, threat landscapes, and competitor activities to stay ahead of industry shifts.
* Negotiation and contract management: Lead negotiations for large-scale enterprise contracts, structuring complex deals while ensuring compliance with industry cybersecurity regulations.
* Regulatory compliance and industry standards: Ensure all solutions align with automotive, financial and industrial cybersecurity standards, as well as evolving regulatory frameworks.
* Budgeting and performance tracking: Oversee financial planning, sales forecasting, and performance metrics to optimize revenue growth and profitability.
* Risk management and business development: Identify and mitigate risks while actively fostering strategic partnerships to drive long-term growth in cybersecurity solutions.
Technical Expertise
* Proven sales experience in cybersecurity: Demonstrated success in selling cybersecurity solutions across industries such as automotive, financial services, industrial cybersecurity, energy and critical infrastructure, with a strong track record of closing complex, high-value deals.
* Industry expertise: Deep understanding of cybersecurity standards, regulations, and frameworks, particularly in automotive, financial, industrial, and critical infrastructure sectors.
* Negotiation & contract management: Extensive experience leading high-stakes negotiations and managing large-scale contracts, ensuring profitability while addressing customer needs and regulatory requirements.
* Technical knowledge: Strong understanding of cybersecurity products, vehicle connectivity software, threat detection, endpoint security, encryption, and risk management—with the ability to position solutions effectively for various industries.
* Market analysis & strategy: Ability to conduct in-depth market research, assess competitive landscapes, and track emerging cybersecurity threats to adapt sales strategies and maintain a competitive edge.
Experience and Professional Qualifications
* In-depth knowledge of business models, pricing strategies, and value propositions in cybersecurity and related industries, enabling the development of effective, customer-centric sales strategies.
* Experience in creating and executing sales strategies aligned with business objectives, with a strong focus on market penetration, revenue growth, and profitability in highly competitive markets.
* Proven ability to manage and expand relationships with key stakeholders, including OEMs, automotive suppliers, financial institutions, and industrial clients, ensuring long-term partnerships and client satisfaction.
* Expertise in selling complex cybersecurity solutions by clearly articulating technical benefits and ROI to non-technical decision-makers, bridging the gap between technical capabilities and business needs.
* Strong track record of consistently meeting and exceeding sales targets through a data-driven approach to performance tracking, reporting, and forecasting.
* Professional qualifications such as an MBA or a degree in Business, Sales, or Marketing, demonstrating a strong foundation in commercial practices and B2B business development.
* Advantageous to have knowledge of cybersecurity regulation such as ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155, particularly in their application to cybersecurity frameworks.
* Fluent in English, with additional language skills considered a plus.
Preferred Location: The ideal candidate is based in Munich, Germany or Budapest, Hungary.
Seniority level
* Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Sales and Business Development
Industries
* Computer and Network Security
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