iO Associates
Business Development Manager

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Sales & Business Development - Defence
Remote | Occasional travel across Ireland & Europe
€90,000-€120,000 DOE + Commission/Bonus
EU work eligibility required for security clearance purposes
The Opportunity
Our client is a fast-growing defence technology business preparing for Series A funding next year, with ambitious plans to scale across Europe and international markets.
We are looking for a senior Defence Sales & Business Development professional with strong industry relationships, procurement expertise and a proven track record of winning complex, high-value defence programmes.
You will take ownership of strategic customer relationships and capture opportunities across defence forces, Ministries of Defence, NATO and wider security organisations. Working closely with product, engineering and leadership teams, you will help shape customer requirements, develop solutions and drive opportunities through to contract.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and manage senior relationships across military, government and defence procurement organisations.
- Identify, shape and lead high-value defence opportunities and capture campaigns.
- Develop a multi-year sales pipeline across Europe and selected international markets.
- Translate operational requirements into compelling solutions and commercial proposals.
- Lead bids, negotiations and customer engagements through to contract award.
- Monitor procurement programmes, competitors and emerging defence capability requirements.
- Represent the business at defence exhibitions, industry events and senior stakeholder engagements.
- Help shape product and market strategy through direct customer and operational insight.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Why you're a good match
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What We're Looking For
- 10+ years' experience in defence, military, procurement or defence-industry business development.
- Proven success selling into European MoDs, NATO, government agencies or major defence organisations.
- An established network of senior military, government and procurement contacts.
- Experience with complex defence programmes, ideally across areas such as C4ISR, cyber, space, unmanned systems, sensors or platforms.
- Strong understanding of defence procurement, NATO/EU programmes, FMS and relevant export-control frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience in capture management, bid leadership, negotiation and strategic account development.
- Credibility with military end-users combined with strong commercial and technical understanding.
- Eligibility for relevant EU/NATO/national security clearances.


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Why Join?
This is an opportunity to join a high-growth defence technology company at a pivotal stage of its development. With Series A funding planned for next year, you will have the opportunity to play a significant role in scaling the commercial organisation, expanding into new markets and helping shape the company's next phase of growth.
We are looking for someone who can bring deep defence expertise, trusted relationships and commercial drive-and who wants to have a direct impact on the growth of an ambitious technology business.
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