Business Development Manager, South Korea
10 Oct 2025
Seoul, South Korea
Verified by Turrior
Content + Source + Freshness • 16 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
88 / 100
Offer value
This position offers a strong strategic role in a leading defense technology firm with significant potential for impact in South Korea's market.
- Significant impact role in defense technology.
- Engage directly with South Korea's military stakeholders.
- High expectations with rewards for experienced professionals.
Pros
- High impact role in a growing defense sector.
- Opportunity to engage with top stakeholders in South Korea's defense procurement.
- Fluency in Korean and English is a unique asset that is highly valued.
Cons
- Intensive travel may affect work-life balance.
- High-performance expectations may lead to significant stress.
- Limited information about compensation structure.
Who it's for
Mid to Senior Level • On-site with possible travel
Good fit
- Business development experts with defense experience.
- Bilingual professionals fluent in Korean and English.
- Motivated individuals eager to work in a high-impact role.
Not recommended for
- Recent graduates or those without relevant experience.
- Candidates seeking remote or flexible work arrangements.
- Individuals lacking networking skills in the defense sector.
Motivation fit
Desire to contribute to defense innovations and enhance military capabilities.Interest in working on high-stakes projects with significant responsibilities.A passion for engaging in strategic partnerships within the defense market.
Key skills
Business developmentCustomer relationship managementStrategic planningNegotiation
Score: 88/100 AI verified analysis
About the job
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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.
The Business Development Manager will be responsible for building Shield AI’s business opportunities with a focus on order execution and growth in South Korea. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of South Korea’s defense procurement process and demonstrate confidence in engaging with customers, representing Shield AI at industry events, and leading product demonstrations. You will operate on a small team with a demanding work and travel schedule and a very high level of responsibility and accountability to perform and deliver results, with the opportunity to make an outsized impact and become a major contributor to the company.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Support the International Business Development Country Executive, Head of Korea in executing Shield AI’s strategy and objectives.
- Engage with customers regularly to present and discuss Shield AI products (V-BAT, X-BAT, Hivemind Products, and ViDAR).
- Cultivate, nurture, and maintain strong relationships across the ROK Government, military services, and defense industries to ensure engagements with key stakeholders
- Represent Shield AI at trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events, showcasing our technology and capabilities.
- Devise and coordinate marketing and government relations initiatives to increase Shield AI’s visibility and influence.
- Plan and execute product demonstrations for prospective customers and partners
- Customer interface with Embassy, JUSMAG-K, MND, DAPA, Government entities to include think tanks, academia, and local defense industry
- Work cross-functionally to address customer needs and provide tailored responses.
- Lead and coordinate proposal responses and follow through to contract award.
- Develop and implement offset strategies and identify and execute other U.S. defense prime offset obligations.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date opportunity tracking in Salesforce and other business systems.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Exceptional communicator: Fluent in both Korean and English with strong written, verbal, and presentation skills and the ability to engage seamlessly at all levels of business and government.
- Charismatic leader who can motivate, inspire, and impart excitement about Shield AI’s mission, technology, and products with the desire to help build the defining defense technology company of this century.
- Thorough understanding of ROK military operations and acquisition processes with the ability to maintain strong customer relationships.
- Self-motivated and results-oriented, with a track record of meeting and exceeding critical goals and deadlines.
- Proven leadership and/or acquisition and operational experience within the U.S. DoD or international equivalents (e.g., Ministries of National Defense and DAPA) and demonstrated understanding of Korean Air Force, Army, Navy, or equivalent operational scenarios and systems.
- Technical knowledge within UAV and/or AI disciplines, or demonstrated ability to learn quickly.
- Willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally, frequently and without restriction, including to customer sites.
- Team-oriented with the ability to collaborate effectively while also being direct and forthright.
- Proficient in business systems and tools required for high-performance operations
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent military education.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- MBA or equivalent advanced degree is highly valued
- Prior strategy or business development experience in international defense markets.
- Business development experience in UAV, AI, or other defense-related technology contexts.
- Strong research and analysis skills.
Our international team members are employed through our Employer of Record (EOR) and receive a comprehensive international benefits package on top of base salary. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.
