Business Development Director, South Korea

About the role

Telesat is seeking a leader to drive the market entry and growth of the Lightspeed LEO satellite network within South Korea. You will manage local operations and build high-level relationships to secure contracts with government, defense, and telecommunications entities. You will own the strategic direction and execution of the South Korean market for satellite services in close collaboration with regional headquarters in Singapore and global leadership in Ottawa. This role requires you to architect and scale revenue streams by identifying and penetrating key segments such as Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers, telecommunications carriers, and defense or civil government service providers. You will be the primary architect of complex contract negotiations, establishing strategic wholesale partnerships that define market presence and long-term value. Success in this position will depend on your ability to cultivate and manage senior-level relationships with key stakeholders, political entities, and high-level decision-makers across the target ecosystem. You will champion the Lightspeed network to both commercial end-users and government bodies to influence long-term connectivity requirements and digital infrastructure planning. Furthermore, you will analyze the local regulatory, technical, and operational landscape to ensure all market activities are compliant and strategically sound.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute the South Korea market strategy for satellite services in partnership with regional headquarters in Singapore and global headquarters in Ottawa, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Build revenue streams and order backlogs by targeting MNOs, ISPs, telcos, and defense or civil government service providers through tailored value propositions.
• Lead complex contract negotiations and establish strategic wholesale partnerships that create durable competitive advantages and long-term commercial viability.
• Manage senior-level relationships with key stakeholders, political entities, and decision-makers in the target ecosystem to secure strategic commitments and influence procurement outcomes.
• Promote the Lightspeed network to commercial and government end-users to influence long-term connectivity requirements and shape future infrastructure investments.
• Analyze local regulatory, technical, and operational requirements to identify barriers and opportunities within the South Korean market landscape.
• Collaborate with internal product, engineering, and commercial teams to customize solutions for local customer needs, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and adoption.
• Monitor competitive trends and procurement programs to refine regional business plans and maintain a proactive market positioning.
• Develop and maintain a deep pipeline of opportunities across public and private sectors to ensure consistent revenue generation.
• Act as the primary market expert on South Korea for Lightspeed, synthesizing insights and intelligence for global leadership.
• Drive the identification and qualification of new business opportunities, ensuring alignment with Telesat's strategic growth objectives.
• Establish and maintain a strong commercial presence through targeted engagement with industry associations, government bodies, and technology partners.
• Provide accurate forecasting and pipeline management to support executive decision-making and resource allocation.
• Ensure adherence to governance, ethical standards, and corporate policies in all market-facing activities.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in strategic sales, business development, or government relations within the telecommunications, satellite, or defense sectors, demonstrating a consistent track record of success.
• Deep working knowledge of South Korean defense, institutional, and telecommunications ecosystems, including procurement environments and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience engaging with public institutions, government agencies, and industrial partners at the highest levels of decision-making.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex sales cycles involving technical and executive stakeholders, navigating multiple touchpoints and approval processes.
• Ability to navigate politically sensitive environments and coordinate with institutional actors while maintaining strict adherence to compliance standards.
• MBA or an advanced degree in engineering or business, reflecting a strong academic foundation and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Fluency in both Korean and English, written and spoken, ensuring clear and effective communication with all stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in managing C-level and executive-level relationships within complex and matrixed organizational structures.
• Strong understanding of secure connectivity, critical communications, mobility, or satellite communications environments, and their application in public sector contexts.

Nice to have

• Understanding of secure connectivity, critical communications, mobility, or satellite communications environments.

Skills & tools

• Strategic deal structuring
• High-level relationship management
• Cross-cultural communication within matrixed organizations
• Executive presentation and reporting
• Governance and ethical standards

Practical notes

Telesat is an equal opportunity employer. The company provides accommodations during the interview process for qualified candidates; please inform the talent team if you require assistance. All accommodation requests are handled with confidentiality.

This role is based in Seoul, South Korea, and requires full-time on-site presence. The successful candidate will be expected to travel regionally as necessary to support business objectives and engage with key stakeholders. Visa sponsorship will be considered for eligible candidates; please indicate your eligibility during the application process. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, and early submission is strongly encouraged to ensure full consideration. The selected candidate will be required to adhere to all local employment regulations and corporate governance policies as defined by Telesat and local authorities.