Vice President - Global Customers and Marketing, AEC - Rochester, NH

Albany International Corporation seeks a Vice President - Global Customers & Marketing for its Albany Engineered Composites group (AEC) who will be responsible for continuing to develop and deploy go-to-market strategies in close alignment with our overall company strategy; developing outstanding customer relationships and the professional team responsible for optimizing them; and accelerating innovation and new product development through close collaboration between customer engineering teams and AEC's R&T team. He / She will focus on continuing to develop our global customer base, capturing new market share, and growing existing platform business to further enhance the Company's growth strategy. The successful candidate should be an expert in superior customer account management; able to understand and provide timely industry awareness and trends, and be able to act with speed and agility in support of all aspects of the sales and marketing process to ultimately capture more new business opportunities.

Albany International Corporation (NYSE: AIN) is a global advanced textiles and materials technology and processing company comprised of two businesses: The Machine Clothing segment - the world's leading producer of custom-designed fabrics and belts essential to production in the paper, nonwovens, and other process industries; and AEC - a rapidly growing and high-performing supplier of advance engineered composite structures for the aerospace and defense industry along with adjacent applications.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of the AEC Customers and Marketing organization globally. Continue to refine and drive Customers and Marketing strategy to support organic / inorganic growth plans.
• Establish best-in-class customer relationships, from buyers, to engineers, to key decision makers.
• Manage customer expectations to contribute to a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Develop / manage relationship plans and coordinate cross-functional activities for AEC strategic accounts; leverage / expand those relationships to identify additional capture opportunities and to increase interest and demand for AEC products, services and capabilities; and acquire / develop new customer relationships, especially by further diversifying AEC into other markets including Europe, Asia, and sustainable technology globally.
• In coordination with VP - R&T, develop technology roadmaps and potential customers for AEC key technology growth drivers identified in the AEC Strategic Plan. Align R&T activities with business development strategy.
• Develop and grow the AEC brand beyond its current footprint through highly effective print and electronic marketing, channel / partner strategies, and tradeshow participation.
• Continue to drive sales process improvements and compliance through further deployment of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Customer Experience Management (CX and NPS), and strict adherence to the Company's Delegation of Authority. Quickly identify improvement opportunities and corrective actions where needed.
• Manage the customers and marketing teams to make best use of resources, operations, and products to deliver profitable growth.
• Define and coordinate customer relationship and marketing training programs which enable the team to achieve their potential and support the Company's sales objectives.
• Create a culture of competent and aggressive business pursuit through outstanding preparation, positive attitude, collaboration and success.
• Be a strategic member of the AEC leadership team to help define and execute the AEC growth strategy and promote strategic alignment, effective communication / feedback, and morale

Additional Responsibilities:

• Monitor customer, market, and competitor activity and provide feedback to company leadership and other company functions.
• Compile information and data related to customer and prospect interactions.
• Provide detailed and accurate sales forecasting.
• Ensure Albany is known as an employer of choice to attract the best and brightest sales talent.
• Assist in internal communication (town halls, newsletters) as requested and external communication (customer presentations, marketing announcements, press releases).

Reporting: Reports to President of AEC

Skills/Qualifications:

• Candidate brings a uniquely qualified skill set and experience to the position.
  
  
  
  • Complete familiarity and success working with a Group President/ CEO/ President in this role
  • Over 15 years executive level experience in the global aerospace market dealing with major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers a minimum. Composites / advanced materials experience a plus.
    
    
    
    • Global commercial leadership and prior relationship experience with most of AEC's existing customers and potential target new customers
    • Highly skilled and qualified negotiator; able to secure best outcome results from a buyer to CEO in any situation that develops in the course of customer relationships
    • Demonstrated industry leading customer service and approval ratings
    • Highly positive market reputation with customers, suppliers, aerospace talent, and even competitors (respected by)
    • Understands the "end use" for AEC's products and customer cultures; with military and/or extensive experience working with DOD programs and contractors a plus
    • Subject matter expert on our business products, processes and operations
    • Extensive experience collaborating and authoring Strategic Plans / Deployment, Business Development, and Annual Budgets and Forecasts
    • Able to discern industry / market trends into timely response and opportunity pursuit
    
    
    
    
  • Proven history of leading highly-motivated and effective teams providing best-in-class growth and improving earnings and margins
  • Skilled and thoughtful mentor, collaborator, and developer of talent
  • Approachable, with quick wit and natural sense of humor
  • This position is open for a remote working arrangement with 50% or more travel required.
  
  
  
  

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in related field (Business Mgmt., Marketing, Communications, etc.)
• Master's Degree or equivalent training / experience desired
• Significant experience in Defense and Aerospace industries
• Experience with United States Department of Defense programs
• Experience with Defense and Commercial aerospace contractors
• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 CFR 120.15