Overview

Our client is an established European provider of advanced communication systems for the satellite industry, with proven flight heritage and a customer base spanning leading government and commercial programmes internationally. As part of a global space technology group, the business is entering a defining chapter: completing its transformation into a profitable, strategically integrated business unit and serving as a cornerstone of the group's European growth ambitions. The Supervisory Board seeks a decisive Managing Director with full P&L authority to lead this transformation, shape the product roadmap, and build the operational and cultural foundation for sustained growth. This is a rare mandate: genuine transformation leadership, backed by the resources and momentum of a global industry leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Own full P&L accountability for the business unit, reporting directly to the Supervisory Board, with senior leaders across engineering, operations, commercial, and support functions reporting to you.

• Lead the business through a period of significant organisational change, balancing transformation with long-term viability and growth.
• Define and execute the strategic plan to achieve profitability, market share expansion, and full integration into the wider group.
• Drive the product roadmap and ensure the business remains at the forefront of technology advancement in its field.
• Deliver operational excellence and product output that meet the demands of leading international government and commercial customers.
• Build and embed a high-performance culture, working constructively with employee representation and local stakeholders.
• Cultivate relationships with key customers, government agencies, and industry partners across Europe and internationally.

Requirements

Required:

• 10+ years in senior leadership roles with demonstrable success in business development, strategy execution, and revenue growth.
• Proven turnaround or transformation leadership: a track record of returning a business to profitability.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations quickly and make decisive, high-stakes decisions.
• Experience in new space, satellite, aerospace, or defence, ideally including government agencies or constellation programmes.
• Full P&L ownership experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and board-level reporting.
• Sound understanding of satellite hardware, software, or related technologies.
• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Fluent English; EU citizenship (a condition of applicable export control and security regulations).

Preferred:

• Experience leading a business in Germany, including familiarity with works councils and local labour frameworks.
• Leadership within a complex ownership structure (e.g. a subsidiary or business unit within an international group).
• MBA or advanced degree; German language proficiency.

Benefits

Package

• Base salary €240,000 to €290,000.
• Potential equity participation at group level.
• 30 days annual leave, statutory German social insurance.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Based on-site in Munich, with approximately 20% travel.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under EU law and the laws of the respective EU member states.

Commitment to Diversity

Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected. We recognize and celebrate the cultural diversity across EU member states.

Reasonable Accommodations

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with EU Directive 2000/78/EC and national laws of EU member states. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.

Compensation Information

For client positions, compensation information will be provided in accordance with applicable EU and national laws. When required by law, salary information will be included in job postings or provided during the recruitment process. We are committed to pay transparency and equal pay for equal work, in line with EU Directive 2006/54/EC and national laws on pay equity.

Compliance with Laws

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with EU laws, directives, and regulations, as well as national laws of EU member states governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Workplace Harassment

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on any protected characteristic under EU law and the laws of EU member states. This includes, but is not limited to, harassment based on race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, age, disability, or genetic information.

Data Protection and Privacy

We process personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable national data protection laws. For more information about how we collect and process personal data for recruitment and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.

Pay Equity

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable EU and national laws.

Working Time and Leave

We comply with EU Directive 2003/88/EC concerning certain aspects of the organization of working time, as well as national laws of EU member states regarding working hours, rest periods, and leave entitlements.

Health and Safety

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment in accordance with EU Framework Directive 89/391/EEC on Safety and Health at Work and relevant national laws of EU member states.

Works Councils and Employee Representation

We respect the rights of employees to form and join works councils and other forms of employee representation in accordance with EU Directive 2009/38/EC and national laws of EU member states.

Country-Specific Declarations

While this policy provides a general framework applicable across the EU, it's important to note that specific employment laws can vary significantly between EU member states. To ensure full compliance with local regulations, we make the following provisions:

1. Local Law Compliance: In addition to EU-wide regulations, we comply with all national laws and regulations of the specific EU member state where the employment takes place.
2. Country-Specific Addenda: For each EU country where we operate, we maintain country-specific addenda to this policy. These addenda outline any additional requirements, protections, or procedures mandated by national law that go beyond or differ from EU-wide standards.
3. Language Requirements: In countries where local law requires that employment policies be provided in the local language, we will make available a properly translated version of this policy and its country-specific addendum.
4. Notification of Applicable Laws: During the recruitment process, candidates will be informed of the specific national laws that apply to their potential employment, in addition to EU-wide regulations.
5. Regular Updates: We commit to regularly reviewing and updating our country-specific addenda to reflect any changes in national employment laws.
6. Precedence of National Law: Where national law provides greater protection or additional rights to employees beyond what is outlined in this general EU policy, the national law will take precedence.
7. Specific Declarations: Where required by national law, we will make specific declarations regarding matters such as:
• Pay transparency and gender pay gap reporting
• Working time arrangements
• Collective bargaining agreements
• Data protection and privacy measures
• Whistleblower protection mechanisms
• Any quota systems for underrepresented groups in employment
8. Access to Information: Employees and candidates can request information about the country-specific policies applicable to their employment or potential employment by contacting assistance@kellerexecutivesearch.com.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.

Genetic Information

In accordance with EU and national laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.

Local Laws

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate within the EU.