European Managing Director

Company Overview
Saildrone is a defense company delivering maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance products to military, homeland security, and commercial customers. Our unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are extreme‑endurance platforms equipped with advanced sensors and proprietary AI to provide persistent insights above and below the sea surface. With
more than 2,000,000 nautical miles sailed and 50,000 days at sea, Saildrone USVs are trusted by governments worldwide. Our vehicles set the standard for cost‑efficient maritime intelligence in the world’s harshest environments. Backed by legendary investors, including: Capricorn, Social Capital, BOND, and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, Saildrone is on track to become the market leader in USVs for tomorrow’s navies. With the establishment of Saildrone Denmark in Copenhagen, we are creating the hub for our European operations—providing regional business development, government relations, mission
planning, local support, training, and integration capabilities to European allies and customers across the Baltic and North Seas.

Position Summary
The European Managing Director – Saildrone Denmark will lead our operations in Denmark and Europe more broadly, with full P&L responsibility. Based in Copenhagen, you will define and execute our regional strategy, drive growth in maritime domain awareness and ocean survey services, ensure operational excellence, and represent Saildrone across the region.

Key Responsibilities
1. P&L Ownership & Business Strategy

• Own the full P&L for Saildrone Denmark, including bookings, revenue growth, and cost management.
• Develop and execute the regional business strategy, aligned with global strategy and European market dynamics.

2. GM (Regional Operations & Leadership)

• In coordination with Saildrone HQ, oversee all local operations: sales, delivery, customer support, training, mission planning, and operations coordination.
• Build and lead a Copenhagen-based team, including business development, sales and capture functions, mission support (service and shore), operations, and logistics.
• Represent Saildrone in the region: engage national and European government agencies, defence, security and offshore energy stakeholders.

3. Market & Customer Development

• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with European ministries, navies, coast guards, border security organizations, offshore energy.
• Lead business development efforts, proposals, contracts and integrations
• Work with global proposals/contracts teams to tailor offerings to European procurement requirements.
• Manage regional account management efforts to ensure customer satisfaction and growth.

4. Mission Support & Program Delivery

• Ensure successful mission planning, deployment, training, and troubleshooting of Saildrone missions in Baltic/North Sea and Arctic waters.
• Monitor key operational metrics: mission uptime, system reliability, client satisfaction, and service delivery quality.

5. Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

• Maintain compliance with European Union and Danish export controls, maritime regulations, and data privacy/security laws relevant to zero‑crew autonomous surface vessels.
• Serve as a regional point of contact for legal, insurance, customs, and regulatory affairs.

6. Stakeholder & Public Affairs

• Represent Saildrone at maritime and defence forums, conferences, exhibitions and government meetings.
• Coordinate with communications and marketing teams to shape the company’s voice and visibility in Europe.
• Serve as public spokesperson for European operations.

7. Operational Excellence & Scaling

• Oversee local processes: training programs, maintenance logistics, inventory, and mission support systems.
• Collaborate with global supply chain, technical operations, and engineering teams to streamline regional deployment capability.

8. Talent & Culture Building

• Recruit, develop, and retain high‑performing local talent across operations, sales, contracting, and technical support roles in Copenhagen.
• Instill Saildrone’s core values: safety‑focused, mission‑oriented, agile, and customer-centric.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience, ideally as regional or country GM with full P&L accountability.
• Experience in maritime, defence, security, or technology-driven hardware/software sectors.
• Proven track record selling to government, defence, or offshore energy clients in Europe.
• Depth in business development, contract negotiation, project delivery, and operational scaling.
• Excellent financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and forecasts.
• Bilingual in English and Danish
• Full time in Copenhagen, travel across Europe as needed.

Why Saildrone?

• Be part of a high-growth, mission-driven company transforming maritime intelligence through uncrewed surface vehicles that have sailed over 2 million nautical miles and accumulated more than 50,000 days at sea.
• Play a critical role in expanding autonomous maritime capacity for Europe’s defence and ocean survey capabilities at a pivotal moment of geopolitical urgency
• Join a multidisciplinary team where innovation, resilience, and operational agility define our technology and culture.