business development manager d&i

About Planetek Italia
Planetek Italia is a leading Italian company in the field of geospatial technologies and Earth Observation solutions, with more than 30 years of experience in transforming satellite, aerial, and drone data into actionable insights. We operate across multiple sectors — including environmental and land monitoring, smart cities, open government, defence and security, scientific missions, and planetary exploration — supporting public institutions, private organizations, and international agencies in managing complex spatial challenges.

Our expertise spans geospatial data analytics, on-board software for satellites, ground segment systems, Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) compliant with INSPIRE, and cloud-based SaaS platforms designed to support decision-making in dynamic and mission-critical environments. Among our flagship innovations is Rheticus, an award-winning cloud platform that delivers continuous and automated geospatial monitoring services.

Planetek Italia is part of the D-Orbit Group, with offices in Italy, Portugal, the UK, Greece, and the USA, operating in both national and international markets.

Alongside Planetek Italia S.r.l., the group comprises Planetek Hellas e.p.e., as well as two university spin-offs — GAP S.r.l. and GEO-K S.r.l. — both specialized in the processing of remotely sensed data captured by optical and radar sensors.

Driven by innovation, collaboration, and a strong commitment to sustainability, Planetek Italia brings together multidisciplinary teams of engineers, analysts, developers, and domain experts. We believe in creating technologies that help organizations better understand the world, make informed decisions, and contribute to a more sustainable and secure future.

THE CHALLENGE OF A "BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER D&I" AT PLANETEK ITALIA
As a Business Development Manager in the Defence & Intelligence sector at Planetek Italia, you will play a central role in expanding our presence within the international security, defence, and intelligence ecosystem. You will identify new business opportunities, build and nurture strategic relationships with key institutional stakeholders, and translate complex operational needs into high-value geospatial solutions. You will work closely with technical, product, and proposal teams to design innovative offerings, ranging from satellite-based services and SaaS platforms to advanced geospatial information systems and onboard software for space missions.

In this role, you will be responsible for driving commercial strategies, managing the entire business development lifecycle, supporting proposal preparation for tenders and strategic programs, and contributing to long-term partnerships with defence organisations, prime contractors, and technology integrators.

Your work will directly support Planetek Italia's mission to integrate cutting-edge geospatial technologies into the defence and intelligence domain, enhancing situational awareness, decision-making, and operational effectiveness for national and international stakeholders.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
As a Business Development Manager in the Defence & Intelligence sector, you will be responsible for driving Planetek Italia's commercial strategy within one of the company's most strategic and high-impact markets. You will identify emerging opportunities, develop long-term relationships with Defence and Intelligence institutions, and position our geospatial solutions as enablers of operational superiority and informed decision-making. You will lead the full business development cycle, from prospecting and stakeholder engagement to opportunity shaping, proposal development, and contract acquisition, working closely with cross-functional teams to craft tailored, technologically advanced solutions.

Your role will involve analysing customer needs and operational scenarios, contributing to strategic bids and partnerships, and ensuring that Planetek Italia is effectively represented in programs, initiatives, and procurement processes at both national and international levels. Ultimately, your work will directly support the growth of our Defence & Intelligence portfolio and strengthen our role as a trusted partner in space and geospatial domain.

YOUR BACKGROUND:
You have a solid track record in Business Development, Sales, or Strategic Account Management within the Defence & Intelligence sector, ideally working with geospatial technologies, Earth Observation solutions, ICT systems, or complex engineering programs. You understand the dynamics of the Defence ecosystem, including procurement processes, capability development cycles, and the roles of national institutions, Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and major industrial players.

Your experience enables you to interpret operational needs, evaluate technical requirements, and translate them into compelling value propositions. You are comfortable navigating complex stakeholder environments, fostering strategic relationships, and contributing to high-level partnerships and tender processes.

Driven by curiosity and a strong sense of initiative, you combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution. You thrive in multidisciplinary contexts, communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, and have the ability to work autonomously while contributing to shared team goals. Fluency in English and a background in engineering, computer science, geospatial sciences, or related fields are considered a strong plus.

So you must be able to:

• Develop and execute business development strategies tailored to the Defence & Intelligence sector.
• Build, nurture, and expand relationships with Defence institutions, Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and major industry players.
• Understand complex operational scenarios and translate stakeholder needs into high-value geospatial and EO-based solutions.
• Engage with multidisciplinary internal teams to craft competitive technical and commercial proposals.
• Navigate procurement frameworks, tendering processes, and contractual requirements specific to the Defence ecosystem.
• Identify market trends, emerging needs, and strategic partnership opportunities that can enhance Planetek Italia's positioning.
• Communicate effectively with both technical and executive-level stakeholders, articulating value propositions clearly and convincingly.
• Manage multiple opportunities simultaneously, prioritizing efforts to achieve commercial targets and strategic objectives.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT:
At Planetek Italia, we believe that results matter more than hours and that people come before skills. We value passion, accountability, and a strong sense of purpose in everything we do.

Ethics, professionalism, and openness are the principles that shape our culture and guide our interactions with colleagues, partners, and customers.

Choose Planetek Italia if you're looking for an environment where enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment can thrive, and if you're ready to play a key role in developing a strategic business area for our company.

Your main office will be in Bari, but you will work predominantly in a remote-first model, with frequent opportunities to travel internationally.

WHAT WE OFFER:
At Planetek Italia, we know that great work isn't done without a phenomenal team.

We are always looking to hire the best talent and recognize that diversity in our experiences and backgrounds makes us stronger. We strive to create a culture where everyone feels safe sharing ideas and driving innovation.

We believe that our people should continually acquire knowledge and skills, so we are committed to providing you with everything that can help you grow, including books, workshops, conferences, and training.

ARE YOU INTERESTED?
Let us know who you are, what you've accomplished so far in your career and what your goals are for the near future.

Along with your CV, please provide us with a short note in reply to the following two questions:

• Why would you like to bet on a company like Planetek Italia?
• Why should we bet on you?

If your profile aligns with what we're looking for, we will contact you to learn more about you and explore the opportunity together.