Head of Business Development / Business Development Manager (m/w/d) - Telco & Carrier at ICS International Carrier Services GmbH
- Company: ICS International Carrier Services GmbH
- Location: Cologne
- Employment type: full-time
- Posted: 2026-10-09
- Salary: EUR 70,000–90,000 per year
At a glance:
- Salary: €70,000–90,000 base plus variable compensation at 100% target achievement
- Full-time, hybrid: office in Cologne's Belgian Quarter plus home office
- Your role: You build our business development from scratch – with a direct line to the managing directors
- Lots of travel: industry events, trade fairs and associations, national and international
- Your field: network operators & authorities – lawful interception
The charm of a diplomat, the curiosity of an investigator, the network of a secret agent – that's how we described this role internally.
It sounds exaggerated, but it's remarkably accurate: at ICS International Carrier Services, we work at the intersection of law enforcement agencies and telecommunications providers – lawful interception, a highly sensitive field where trust is the real currency.
And this market is moving: we are internationalizing rapidly, new communication services such as satellite connectivity are opening entirely new fields, and enquiries are growing faster than our calendars.
That's why we're looking for you – not to fill a position, but to build the commercial side of a fast-growing player that is seizing its international opportunities right now. We are a highly motivated team that wants to achieve something big together – and that's exactly the energy we expect from you.
Why ICS
- Globally connected: We operate at the forefront of lawful interception in a global market – and are deeply networked across the LI world
- Own technology, approved by authorities: Our proprietary software stack makes us extremely fast, remarkably adaptable and highly competitive on pricing – and it has been audited and approved multiple times by the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) and other international authorities
- Shaping the standards: We contribute to the global standards of our industry in the ETSI working groups
- Profitable and growing: We are profitable and growing strongly – the ongoing internationalization is your growth opportunity
- Experienced team: A top engineering team and a management with over 20 years of telco experience
- Insider knowledge: A market largely hidden from the public: outsiders don't know it, and much of the information – especially on the law enforcement side – simply isn't public. Being on the inside is an advantage you can't google
Tasks
You build our business development – as Head of, initially without a team, working directly with the managing directors. One thing upfront: this is not a classic sales role – it's B2B relationship work, winning new customers through trust rather than cold outreach.
- Industry presence: You represent us at industry events, trade fairs and association meetings – nationally and internationally. You are where the industry is
- Relationships with network operators: You build and maintain long-term relationships with telcos, mobile and fixed-line operators, MVNOs, ISPs and carriers – key account and partner management at its best
- Spotting opportunities: You watch the market and spot opportunities long before they become concrete projects – and open the doors to them
- Building the strategy: You develop our business development strategy and the processes behind it from scratch
- Opening conversations: You lead initial conversations and drive opportunities through to handover to the managing directors
Requirements
We care less about your CV – we care about how you connect with people. No technical background required – our topics are highly technical, but we can teach the details. Curiosity and a quick mind, however, can't be taught.
And you don't need to have done this role for years: it doesn't exist at ICS yet, and it can grow with you. What you do need is the desire to do it – and the courage to approach people you don't know yet.
- You genuinely love people. Not as a phrase, but for real: building and nurturing relationships isn't a job for you, it's your nature
- Networking is your strength: you never wait to be approached at an event – and after one evening you've made more valuable contacts than others do in an entire trade-fair week
- C-level communication is not a bonus skill for you – it's part of the game: you engage as a peer with CEOs, managing directors and decision-makers at telcos, ISPs and carriers – as well as at industry associations and events
- You are outgoing without being artificial: open, authentic, trustworthy
- Drive: You are highly motivated and want to build something big with us – going through the motions isn't how we work, in either direction
- Languages: You communicate at full professional proficiency in German and English
- Entrepreneurial: You work independently, think entrepreneurially and want to build something, not administer it
Helpful but not a must: experience in business development, key account management or partner management – or a background in regulation, association work, consulting or the public-authority sector.
A real plus: an existing network among telcos, ISPs, MVNOs and carriers – ideally international. Nice to have: contacts with law enforcement and security agencies internationally – the agency side is becoming a growing field for us as well.
Absolute reliability and discretion are a given – even when an authority takes a closer look.
Benefits
- Salary: €70,000–90,000 base. On top of that comes variable compensation of €60,000 at full target achievement. How we measure success, we'll define together with you – in a market you can't find in any database, there's no other way.
- Real ownership: you build a function from zero – with a direct line to the managing directors, no corporate hierarchy
- International events and travel: you're out where the industry meets
- Hybrid: office in Cologne's vibrant Belgian Quarter plus home office – you largely manage your own calendar
- Team: A small, highly motivated team with short decision paths that wants to achieve something big together
- Stories to tell: A work environment you can tell stories about at your next dinner party (at least the parts you're allowed to share)
Sound like you? Then let's talk. No cover letter needed – send us your CV and two or three sentences on why this role appeals to you. Or even better: tell us about a contact you made when it seemed impossible. If there's a general fit, we'll start with a confidential conversation.
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