Defence Sales Manager Canada

About the role

Alta Ares is seeking a Defence Sales Manager to lead commercial development within Canada’s defence industrial ecosystem. Based in Ottawa, you will build strategic relationships with Canadian primes and integrators, positioning Alta Ares as the AI‑enabled partner of choice for next‑generation defence platforms.

Key responsibilities

• Identify, qualify and develop partnership and sales opportunities with leading Canadian defence primes and systems integrators such as CAE, MDA, L3Harris Canada, General Dynamics Canada, Rheinmetall Canada and others.
• Build deep, multi‑level relationships across business development, engineering, programme management and procurement teams.
• Structure and negotiate teaming agreements, MoUs, subcontracting arrangements and co‑development frameworks.
• Identify joint bid opportunities on Canadian and NATO programmes and manage the full account lifecycle from first contact to signed contract.
• Provide accurate pipeline reporting to senior leadership.
• Map Canada’s defence industrial landscape, track procurement priorities and monitor policy developments affecting Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) requirements.

Required profile

• Proven experience in business development or account management within the defence or aerospace sector.
• Strong network with Canadian defence primes, integrators and government procurement agencies.
• Ability to navigate complex procurement processes and ITB policy requirements.
• Excellent negotiation skills and experience structuring partnership agreements.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to identify and pursue joint bid opportunities.

Required skills