Growth & Market Expansion Director

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At Nova Sky Stories, we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment, we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting‑edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. with teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events. Follow us @NovaSkyStories

About the job

About this role

Nova Sky Stories is seeking a Business Development leader to act as a force multiplier for the executive team. Reporting to the CFO and working closely with senior leadership, this role sits at the center of the company’s most critical growth initiatives.

As the CEO engages with global brands, partners, and senior decision makers, you will translate those interactions into tangible outcomes including market entry, enterprise opportunities, and new revenue streams, ensuring nothing is lost between vision and execution.

You will operate at the intersection of strategy and execution, owning high priority initiatives from initial thesis through delivery and scale. From evaluating new markets to driving complex, cross‑functional efforts, you will ensure the company’s most important opportunities are rigorously assessed, decisively executed, and fully realized.

This role is designed for someone with strong analytical rigor and the professional maturity to operate credibly in high‑stakes environments, both internally and externally.

Responsibilities

• Assess the ongoing flow of opportunities arising from the CEO's network including partnerships, enterprise deals, new revenue streams, and geographic expansion and recommend prioritization based on strategic and financial merit
• Identify and evaluate new markets, leading outbound efforts to secure initial customers and establish early traction
• Support partnership and deal execution from initial engagement through term sheet, contract, and early implementation, working closely with legal, finance, and operating teams
• Contribute to international expansion initiatives, including market thesis development, entry strategy, competitive analysis, and the operational planning required to scale in new geographies
• Drive cross‑functional alignment and follow‑through across the leadership team, ensuring that key commitments are tracked and executed against
• Develop financial models, market sizings, ROI analyses, and competitive assessments to support executive decision‑making

Working with the CEO & executive team

• Participate in the majority of high‑priority external meetings and occasionally represent the company in conversations the CEO is unable to attend
• Own the follow‑up cycle for the CEO and executive team’s commercial activities, including action items, ownership, deadlines, and success criteria
• Serve as a strategic thought partner, proactively identifying opportunities, raising risks and tradeoffs, while also contributing a clear perspective on commercial decisions
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, anticipating needs and moving initiatives forward without requiring extensive direction

Qualifications

• 7–12+ years of experience in strategy, investment, business development, or operating roles within high‑growth or complex businesses
• Proven track record of owning and delivering high‑impact initiatives with measurable results
• Strong commercial instincts with experience structuring and closing meaningful deals
• Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate insights into action
• Advanced financial modeling skills (Excel / Google Sheets)
• Experience working closely with senior leadership and influencing critical decisions
• Ability to operate in ambiguity and take ownership of undefined, high‑stakes problems
• Executive presence and strong communication skills

It’s a plus if you have

• MBA or advanced business degree
• Experience in capital‑intensive or hardware‑driven industries (drones, robotics, aerospace, industrial tech)
• Background in live entertainment, experiential marketing, or large‑scale event production
• International experience operating across multiple markets and cultures

Who you are

• A builder who thrives in fast‑paced, resource‑constrained environments
• Highly accountable with a bias toward action and outcomes
• Comfortable switching between strategy and execution seamlessly
• Naturally curious, adaptable, and energized by solving complex problems
• Motivated by impact and excited to help scale a global business

Salary Range

$150,000 - $200,000 USD

Compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company matching
• Flexible PTO and paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Company‑paid holidays
• Equity opportunities for eligible employees

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting the operational backbone of a company redefining storytelling in the sky, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to help keep Nova Sky Stories flying high.