Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky began his career at one of the Big 4 consulting firms, followed by several years at a French commercial bank. In the early 2000s, during the liberalization of Hungary's telecommunications market, he held various marketing, sales, executive, and CEO positions in the telecommunications and internet sector. He also gained experience in the media sector as the publisher and editor-in-chief of a political weekly.

As an investor, he focused on private equity investments and held positions in the management and fund management of Central European real estate and corporate investment segments. From 2011, he served as the Vice President of the Századvég Foundation, Hungary's largest and oldest conservative think tank.

From 2016-2020, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky served as Hungary's Ambassador to London and in May 2022, he was appointed as Hungary's Minister of Defense. As a reserve lieutenant colonel, he served in various positions in the Hungarian Defense Forces for many years. In 2014, he was elected President of the Hungarian Reservists' Association, and after his appointment as Ambassador to London, he became the social president of the association. In 2016, he was awarded the Defense for Distinction Title, First Class for his services. Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky holds a university degree in agricultural engineering and completed his postgraduate business studies in Paris. He is the father of three children and his hobbies include horseback riding, tennis, and sailing. He speaks English, German, and French.