Director Business Development

Methode Electronics is a global leader in innovative electronic solutions, serving industries such as automotive, data centers, industrial, defense, aerospace, and consumer electronics. With a strong commitment to engineering excellence, quality, and continuous innovation, Methode delivers cutting-edge technologies that power today’s most advanced products. Our collaborative culture and focus on professional growth empower employees to make a meaningful impact while building rewarding careers. Joining Methode means being part of a forward-thinking team that values integrity, creativity, and driving the future of technology. 

This role will develop and nurture business opportunities with new and growth customers in the defense and aerospace industries in targeted strategic adjacent markets to maximize Methode revenue and profitability, with significant focus on growth of product sales with new customers.  Working through both direct and indirect go to market channels, it will continually pursue ways to establish and grow Methode’s value proposition and relevance to new customers.  This is a builder/leader role in a critical industry segment for Methode.  This role reports to the Business Unit Leader, Industrial Power. 

Responsibilities: 

• Accountable for growth results across a set of targeted defense & aerospace segments and/or accounts where Methode’s capabilities are aligned with trends 

• Establishes the defense & aerospace business development function and leads the team as business growth is achieved 

• Identify and exploit changes in defense related procurement by developing relationships with specifiers, contractors and producers of equipment that could incorporate Methode’s products and technologies 

• Establish relationships and influence perception of Methode’s capabilities against the background of key industry trends 

• Identify barriers and obstacles to new business growth, whether internal capabilities, internal or external organizational gaps, or other factors in the external environment 

• Develop and nurture an opportunity pipeline that aligns to Methode’s capabilities  

• Perform other duties as assigned 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) required  

• 10 years of relevant business experience 

• Prior active-duty military experience or defense contracting background is strongly preferred 

• Familiarity with specific government requirements for sensitive defense and aerospace contracts is strongly preferred 

• Requires strong negotiation and persuasion skills 

• Proven track record in a senior business development role, developing new relationships, paths to market and critical market need insights 

• Able to use structured frameworks to capture and quantify the value of unmet end-customer needs and forecast market development potential 

• Able to play a collaborative role in iterating product-market fit with engineering, manufacturing and strategy leadership teams 

• Experience operating within or supporting Department of Defense (DoD) environments, command structures, or military installations is not required, but is a plus 

• Familiarity with military terminology, protocol, and operational logistics is not required, but is a plus 

• Prior experience with electro-mechanical products is a plus, but is not required 

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship. Methode Electronics is not able to provide visa sponsorship—now or in the future—for this role.