At Element, we're shaping the future of Aerospace & Defence across Europe. We're looking for an experienced Business Development Director to drive strategic growth across Germany and the Netherlands, leading key customer relationships while inspiring a high-performing commercial team.

Reporting to the Division Sales Director, you'll play a critical role in expanding our market presence, developing winning commercial strategies, and delivering sustainable revenue growth. This role supports our locations in Mülheim, Hamburg, Breda, Amsterdam, and Milan.

What you'll do

• Develop and execute commercial growth strategies aligned with Element's business objectives
• Build and strengthen relationships with strategic customers and key decision-makers.
• Grow existing accounts, re-engage dormant customers, and win new business opportunities
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Business Development Managers, Associates, and commercial support staff
• Drive sales performance through effective pipeline management, CRM excellence, and data-led decision making
• Collaborate with Operations and cross-functional teams to ensure an exceptional customer experience
• Provide market insights and competitive intelligence to support business planning and growth

What we're looking for

• Proven success in either technical, engineering, manufacturing sales and commercial leadership
• Experience managing and developing high-performing sales teams
• Strong business development, negotiation, and key account management skills
• Analytical mindset with the ability to use data to drive commercial decisions (Power BI experience is an advantage)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office
• A degree or equivalent industry experience
• A valid driver's licence and willingness to travel across the region

If you're a strategic sales leader with a passion for building teams, developing customer partnerships, and delivering growth, we'd love to hear from you.

Make Tomorrow Safer Than Today with Element

Salary range: 75.000€-105.000€

#LI-DG

To apply please email derek.grist@element.com

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) 

“If you need an accommodation filling out an application, or applying to a job,  please email Recruitment@element.com”