Head of Business Development, Middle East (R5057)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. About Shield AI: Shield AI is a venture-backed defence technology company building the world’s best AI pilot and next-generation autonomous aircraft. Founded in 2015, Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. With a recent valuation of approximately $12.7B, Shield AI develops autonomy software, unmanned aircraft systems, and AI-enabled ISR capabilities that actively support defence and security operations worldwide. Shield AI works side-by-side with military and government customers to solve complex operational challenges in some of the world’s most demanding environments. The company’s products, including V-BAT, X-BAT, Hivemind autonomy software, and advanced mission systems are designed to deliver operational advantage while reducing risk to human operators. Shield AI believes the greatest victory requires no war. Job Description: The Head of Business Development, Middle East serves as Shield AI’s senior District leader, responsible for driving integrated District strategy, sales growth, and program sales execution across multiple priority markets (excluding Saudi Arabia). This role ensures successful and compliant execution of active deal programs, aligns cross-functional teams across countries, and serves as the primary interface with senior government, military, and industry stakeholders at both national and District levels. This position holds accountability for District pipeline growth and developm

What you'll do:: Serve as Shield AI’s senior District representative across the Middle East, engaging senior military, government, and industry stakeholders while ensuring operational and regulatory compliance across activities in the district. Develop and execute a unified District strategy aligned with priorities in Middle East integrating country-level efforts into coordinated campaigns across CENTCOM, the GCC (excluding Saudi Arabia), and bilateral frameworks. Own district quota and sales performance, including pipeline development, forecast accuracy, order intake, and opportunity execution from shaping through close. Provide strategic direction and coordination for Country Business Development Leads across the District, setting priorities, driving execution discipline, and aligning stakeholder engagement and market strategy. District business growth across Shield AI’s product portfolio, including V-BAT, X-BAT, ViDAR and Hivemind, ensuring alignment with product and regional leadership priorities. Oversee cross-functional coordination across Business Development, Government Relations, Program Management, Legal, Contracts, PX, Marketing and Customer Operations to support successful capture, execution, and customer outcomes. Ensure successful execution of active district opportunities, maintaining accountability for performance, timelines, customer satisfaction, and long-term strategic growth. Build and maintain a disciplined, data-driven district pipeline and stakeholder engagement strategy to support sustained growth and follow-on business opportunities. Develop and manage district partnerships, resellers, and strategic industry relationships to expand market access and accelerate operational execution. Identify and mitigate political, procurement, operational, and strategic risks across the district while providing executive visibility into performance, risks, and growth outlook. Required qualifications:: Typically requires 10+ years of experience in defence, m