Vice President of Sales, Americas

The world is struggling with interconnected crises in climate, energy, food, and security. These crises require simultaneous action, and safeguarding marine areas and marine life is essential to addressing them and ensuring coexistence.

Kongsberg Discovery is serving the ocean space from the deepest sea to the outer space. Our technology aims to sustainably manage marine resources, monitor climate change, secure infrastructure, and protect national security. It is vital for offshore operations, fisheries, marine research, maritime activities, ocean energy production, infrastructure monitoring, and naval operations, addressing crucial global challenges.

Based on our world leading technology, our strategic directions are resilient navigation, situational awareness, platforms and analytics and it all comes together in ocean space.

We recognize the global sustainability challenges and are committed to developing products, systems and solutions that address environmental impacts on the ocean ecosystem and resolve operational issues.

Kongsberg Discovery has more than 1,100 employees globally. We are located in Horten, Trondheim, and Oslo in Norway, Alicante in Spain, Aberdeen in the UK, Lynnwood (Seattle), Houston, and New Orleans in the USA, Vancouver and Halifax in Canada, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and Singapore. Kongsberg Discovery is part of KONGSBERG, a leading technology group based in Norway. Protecting people and planet.

What we can offer you:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Fully subsidized health & welfare benefits for employee (discounted costs for family members) with an option of a high deductible plan that includes an annual employer contribution towards your health savings account ($1500 for family, $750 for employee only, and prorated depending on date of hire)
• Fully subsidized dental and vision coverage
• Up to 5% employer match program
• Flexibility with Paid Time Off
• Career growth opportunities
• Safe and collaborative culture
• International work environment and multidisciplinary team collaboration
• Professional and personal development and career opportunities
• We offer the possibility to work with sustainable and exciting solutions for the future

An exciting opportunity has arisen as Vice President Sales for the entire America Region, reporting to the Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing. The position is a member of the Management Team for KD Sales and Marketing Division as well as the Management Team for KD in Americas.

Americas is a significant and growing region for Kongsberg Discovery and maintains some of our largest customers and opportunities for growth ahead.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for leading and managing the Kongsberg Discovery Salesforce activities in the Americas region. The main objectives include developing and executing the regional sales strategy, motivating and coordinating the sales team, and ensuring visibility and presence in the market. The role also involves collaborating with country managers and sales peers, identifying new markets and opportunities, and analyzing and suggesting improvements to the business.

We are seeking a Vice President Sales for the Americas region with experience in operational sales and people management coupled with a marine, technical, and/or financial background.

This role involves the entire sales process from general marketing and early involvement, through lead and tendering process and all the way through the final closure of the agreement with the customer and hand-over to the project delivery organization.

The ideal candidate will be able to create and process own sales pipeline, quote, negotiate and close own agreements, and be the team leader for the entire sales force of approximately 25 sales managers in the Region.  

The ideal candidate is collaborative, responsible, self-driven, and committed to maintaining the highest quality standards. Experience with marine offshore operations, commercial fisheries, marine research, maritime activities, ocean energy production, infrastructure monitoring, and/or naval operations, is a great advantage.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for development and execution of the Regional Sales Strategy.
• Lead, motivate, and coordinate the Sales Team in the Region.
• Ensure KD salesforce in the Region is close to our customers and is visible, available, and present in the market.
• Represent the Regional Sales in relevant business aspects towards KD’s global matrix organization.
• Collaborate with Country Managers for Kongsberg Maritime (KM), Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace (KDA) and Kongsberg Discovery (KD) in the Region.
• Develop our go-to-market strategy incl development and optimization of Sales Channels (Market Representatives, Dealers, Distributors, Resellers, and Integrators).
• Monitor the relevant markets and market trends and execute on opportunities and challenges.
• Identify new markets, solutions, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with sales peers in Kongsberg Maritime (KM) and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA) in the Region.
• Analyze, assess, and suggest improvements to our total (KD) business in the Region.
• Process own sales pipeline within a certain area (technology and/or market).

YOU ARE ABLE TO:

• Act on own initiative, make things happen, and accept responsibility for the results.
• Provide your team with clear direction, inspire, and coordinate others to keep them focused on set on company goals.
• Use a methodical and systematic approach, plan ahead, define clear priorities, and allocate resources effectively.
• Focus on bottom-line results, identify potential risks, and monitor the financial impact of own activities.
• Analyze complex issues and problems and come up with rational judgments. Co-operate well with others, share knowledge, experience, information, and support others in the pursuit of team goals.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree within management, marine studies, B2B sales, financial, or technical fields (extensive relevant work practice can compensate for formal education).
• Technical and/or operational knowledge and experience of Kongsberg Discovery’s Products, Systems and Services
• Commercial experience and knowledge about Kongsberg Discovery Sales Processes and Operational Sales
• Knowledge of the market and Kongsberg Discovery customer’s needs.
• Able to serve our customers and create and close new opportunities for Kongsberg Discovery.
• Dynamic, structured, and able to manage own priorities and work-life balance.
• Able to travel within the Region as well as overseas for shorter periods.
• Strategic mindset and ability to convert strategy into actions.
• A visible and inspiring leader for the entire sales team in the Region.
• Leadership and behaviour according to our values and leadership principles.
• Determined, Collaborative, Reliable, Innovative, as well as Curious and open to develop as Individual and Team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with both internal and external customers.
• A positive attitude and the ability to collaborate effectively with other departments, product centers, regional offices, outside vendors, customers, and end users.
• The position may require security clearance, eligibility is necessary.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Business and B2B sales mindset
• Strong customer focus
• Ability to motivate

Pay Range: $160,000 – $210,000 annually (DOE)

Work Location: Kongsberg Discovery, Lynnwood, WA

(may have the opportunity of 2 days remote within commuting distance to Lynnwood)

KONGSBERG provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws