The Opportunity: Air Force Business Development Leader

Location

Remote (preferably based in Dayton, OH; Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia; Hanscom AFB/Boston Metro, MA; or Huntsville, AL).

Reports To

Vice President, Growth

Company Overview

Our client is a growing defense and government services organization that provides engineering, technical, and mission support solutions to customers across the Department of Defense and federal government. As the company continues to expand, it is investing in experienced business development leaders who can help drive strategic growth and strengthen customer relationships across key defense markets. The organization offers an entrepreneurial, mission-focused environment where leaders have the opportunity to influence strategy, collaborate closely with executive leadership, and make a meaningful impact on long-term growth.

Position Overview

The Air Force Business Development Leader will lead strategic growth efforts across the U.S. Air Force, developing new customer relationships and building a pipeline of competitive opportunities aligned with the organization's technical capabilities. This is a true business-building opportunity focused on creating new growth rather than managing an existing portfolio. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of winning significant Air Force opportunities, understands the Department of Defense acquisition process, and can successfully position the organization for continued expansion. This role offers the opportunity to shape long-term growth strategy while helping build a high-performing business development function.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a long-term business development strategy focused on expanding the organization's Air Force portfolio.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue strategic opportunities across Air Force organizations and related Department of Defense agencies.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with government customers, acquisition organizations, program offices, and industry partners.
• Lead opportunity identification, customer engagement, competitive positioning, teaming strategies, and early pursuit activities.
• Partner closely with capture, proposal, and technical teams to maximize win probability on strategic pursuits.
• Expand the organization's presence across key defense mission areas aligned with its technical capabilities.
• Develop and maintain accurate pipeline forecasts and long-range growth plans.
• Represent the organization at customer meetings, industry events, and strategic networking opportunities.
• Help establish scalable business development processes that support continued organizational growth.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is an accomplished business development executive with a proven history of winning new business across the Air Force market. This individual should bring deep customer knowledge, established relationships, and demonstrated success capturing large Department of Defense contracts through full and open competition.

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated success developing and winning large U.S. Air Force or broader Department of Defense contracts.
• Experience competing for unrestricted ("full and open") opportunities.
• Strong understanding of Air Force acquisition organizations, procurement processes, and budgeting cycles.
• Previous business development experience within a government services, defense technology, engineering services, or consulting organization.
• Proven ability to develop strategic growth plans and convert qualified pipelines into awarded business.
• Existing relationships with Air Force program offices, acquisition organizations, laboratories, or other key defense stakeholders.
• Strong executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to operate independently within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Active U.S. security clearance preferred.
• Prior military service or direct experience supporting Air Force programs is highly desirable.

Work Environment & Travel

This is a remote position with regular travel to support customer engagements, business development activities, industry events, and internal planning meetings. Candidates should be comfortable traveling as needed and located near a major airport.