Senior Sales Manager

Elevate your sales career in Zurich by driving the technologies that keep Switzerland safe. You will champion our broader Thales Group portfolio alongside our locally engineered, world-class innovations ranging from secure broadband communications to advanced power solutions. In this role, you will lead our expansion across both domestic and international markets.

We say HI* – welcome to the Thales team! *Human Intelligence

Say HI* – to your career as
Senior Sales Manager

Location: Zurich #LI-HYBRID

As a Senior Sales Manager, you will architect the future of our business in Switzerland and abroad. In this key role, you will shape complex programs, unlock new markets, and build high-value, long-term partnerships. By combining sharp market intelligence with our cross-functional expertise, you will transform ambitious commercial strategies into tangible results.

Your mission:

• Partner closely with Sales Leadership to transform deep customer insights into long-term strategic partnerships.
• Act as a driving force behind our national and international growth by orchestrating everything from collaborative pre-sales initiatives to contract negotiations and after-sales opportunities.
• Design and execute bespoke sales strategies across targeted market segments and regions, supported by our cross-functional experts.
• Grow alongside your clients by helping them solve their challenges while proactively upselling and cross-selling new solutions.
• Lead high-stakes commercial discussions to deliver exceptional value to both the client and the business.
• Advocate for our clients by ensuring the internal alignment of diverse teams to effectively address customer needs and feedback.
• Stay at the forefront of the industry by continuously analyzing market trends, anticipating risks, and uncovering new opportunities
• Master your opportunity pipeline by prioritizing activities and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to drive every opportunity across the finish line.

Your Experience

• 10+ years of professional experience in the defense sector, with a deep understanding of global defense markets, military environments, or advanced technological solutions (preferably communication systems, cybersecurity, electronic warfare, radar, or air defense).
• Proven track record as a Sales, Key Account, or Bid Manager, with extensive experience designing and selling complex defence programs in B2B and B2G environments.
• Strong strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, combining high-level vision with a hands-on approach to identifying opportunities, executing sales strategies, and driving business growth.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, supported by an established network of industrial and governmental stakeholders
• Highly self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and successfully navigate complex corporate ecosystems.
• Robust analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including hands-on proficiency with CRM software, sales analytics, reporting, and performance management tools.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration or equivalent.
• Fluency in German and English; proficiency in French is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Switzerland to customer sites and company locations, as well as internationally as required.

Say HI* – Your Way to Us

For our 83,000 employees in 68 countries, we open up forward-looking perspectives, enable individual career paths, and provide creative freedom. We achieve this through courage, diversity, and a strong commitment to making the challenges of our time safer and more inclusive. With our sustainable and values-driven leadership culture, we actively promote diversity.

When the signs point to change, our international teams are ready to meet today’s complexity with tomorrow’s industry-leading technologies. Are you in?

Camilla Christovam
Talent Acquisition Partner #LI-CC1