Business Unit Director

About this job

We are currently looking for a Business Unit Director to join the team in Delft.

At S[&]T, we create a safer and more sustainable world by transforming complex space data into actionable insights. From instrument to application, we manage the full data lifecycle — applying deep technical expertise through advanced software frameworks, information products, and consultancy.

Our society depends on space-based and scientific instruments for essential services such as climate monitoring, navigation, defence, and national security. These systems generate vast amounts of data. Our mission is to unlock its value and turn it into meaningful impact.

To support our continued growth, we are looking for an experienced and inspiring Business Unit Director to lead our Space & Science and Environment & Sustainability business lines. This is a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of technology, market, and people.

Main responsibilities

As Business Unit Director, you hold end-to-end responsibility for the strategic direction, operational performance, and people development of the business unit. You lead multiple highly skilled teams delivering long-running satellite data programmes, ground systems, and innovative data- and AI-driven solutions for international customers.

You will operate as a connector: aligning customer needs, technological capabilities, and organisational goals — while ensuring excellence in delivery and sustainable growth.

Leadership & organisation

• Full responsibility for leading and developing:

3–4 technical delivery teams

• Managed by Technical Leads, delivering complex and long-term satellite data processing projects within time, budget, and scope.

A platform and infrastructure team

• Led by a Technical Manager, responsible for designing, building, and operating data orchestration frameworks and cloud infrastructures.

A team developing data- and AI-driven applications

• Based on satellite data for environmental and sustainability-focused use cases.
• Coach and develop Technical Leads and Managers in leadership, decision-making, and cross-team collaboration.
• Foster a culture of ownership, quality, continuous improvement, and collaboration across disciplines.

Strategy & business development

• Define and execute the business unit strategy in line with S[&]T’s overall objectives.
• Expand and strengthen the portfolio of space-data-based products and services, with a strong focus on environmental, climate, and sustainability applications.
• Develop and scale ground segment and infrastructure services, preferably delivered through SLA-based service models.
• Identify market opportunities, partnerships, and propositions within the space, earth observation, and environmental domains.

Operational & commercial responsibility

• Full P&L responsibility, including portfolio prioritisation and resource planning.
• Ensure delivery quality, financial performance, and progress of long-running customer projects.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, partners, and strategic stakeholders.
• Work closely with sales, product management, and other business units to successfully bring propositions to market.

Reporting & governance

• You report directly to the Managing Director of S&T Netherlands.
• Strategy, policy, and priorities are aligned with the Managing Directors in Italy and Norway, as well as with the COO and CCO, ensuring international alignment, scalability, and commercial effectiveness.

Requirements

Experience & expertise

• Master’s-level working and thinking ability, preferably in a technical or scientific discipline.
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within a technology-driven organisation.
• Strong affinity with space data, satellite systems, data engineering, or cloud/platform technologies (conceptual understanding is key; hands-on expertise is not required).
• Demonstrated experience in developing and commercialising data-driven products and/or services.
• Experience with SLA-based service delivery and managing long-term customer relationships is a strong advantage.
• Affinity with environmental, climate, or sustainability domains is a clear plus.

Leadership & personal profile

• An inspiring and inclusive leader who connects people and builds strong teams.
• Strong coaching skills, particularly in developing senior technical professionals into effective leaders.
• Strategic thinker with a pragmatic, results-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication skills at all organisational levels, both internally and externally.
• Decisive and resilient in complex, project-driven environments.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense for both technology and market dynamics.

What we offer

• A key leadership position in a fast-growing and societally relevant domain.
• The opportunity to work on innovative solutions with real impact on environment, climate, and sustainability.
• Significant autonomy and influence over strategy, portfolio, and execution.
• Collaboration with highly skilled professionals in an international context.
• A competitive compensation and benefits package aligned with the seniority and responsibility of the role.

recruitment@stcorp.nl