Director of Business Development - US, Civil & Commercial
Kepler is on an audacious mission to deliver Internet connectivity to space, creating the infrastructure to support the rapidly increasing data needs of the space economy. With 23 satellites launched to date and our optical constellation on the horizon, our ambition is to improve access to space-generated data, whether in LEO, MEO, GEO, or beyond! Kepler is hard at work innovating and continuing to grow and expand our most important asset – the Team!
As Kepler’s business grows in Canada and Europe, our next step is to expand the Kepler footprint in the United States, both commercially and by supporting the US Government. We are seeking a highly driven Business Development Director to lead our capture efforts across US civil agencies and commercial.
Reporting to our US Senior Director of Business Development and as part of a small team of passionate and accomplished experts, you will play a pivotal role in growing the business through the development of Kepler offerings, customer relationships, and strategic vision – laser-focused on the Kepler vision of putting the internet in space. In this hands-on position, you will work with colleagues in business development, leadership, and engineering teams, as well as our customers, driving growth and market presence for Kepler.
The ideal candidate is a driven, hunter-minded professional with experience working with government and commercial customers, an existing network of relevant industry contacts, and a solid understanding of government and commercial drivers of success in the space sector. The candidate has intellectual horsepower with the ability to identify new opportunities, drive clarity, create focus, and make tough decisions in complex and dynamic contexts.
- Engage with customers to understand architectures, requirements, acquisition plans, budgets, and key stakeholders.
- Develop and execute US Government capture strategies targeting agencies such as NASA, NSF, NOAA, and other civil agencies.
- Identify, qualify, pursue, and close new business opportunities within the US Government and US commercial space sectors.
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government directors, deputy directors, principal investigators, program managers, contracting officers, and prime contractors.
- Collaborate with Kepler internal teams to shape solutions that meet customer requirements.
- Maintain an accurate sales forecast and pipeline in Salesforce in collaboration with other capture managers.
- Support Kepler’s long-term forecasts and planning.
- Guide strategic product road maps and internal research & development to achieve product market fit.
- Support budget reviews and planning for forthcoming bid and proposal efforts.
- Navigate government procurement cycles, including FAR-based contracts, SBIRs, BAAs, OTAs, and sole-source opportunities.
- Lead efforts on competitive cost-plus and firm-fixed-priced bids for space systems and relay services.
- Provide capture management leadership in addition to writing, evaluating, and/or managing large government proposals.
- Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and government meetings.
- Travel approximately 25-30% of the time, mostly domestic with some international travel.
- Support the Public Relations team on their press releases, marketing materials, and social media accounts.
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM or related field.
- 10+ years of business development and capture experience in the space and or US government sectors.
- Proven track record of hunting and securing US government contracts.
- Must be a US citizen with active US Department of Defense TS/SCI clearance.
- Able to regularly report to the Sterling, VA office.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Proficiency with Sales Force, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Master’s degree in a STEM field or MBA.
- Experience selling to NASA, NOAA, NSF, and other civil agencies like CSA, ESA, and JAXA.
- Experience in the New Space industry.
Kepler Communications is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We welcome applications from: Women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, visible minorities, people who identify as LGBTQ+ and others who may contribute to diversification in our workplace.
As part of our commitment to accessibility for all persons with disabilities, Kepler will, upon the request of the applicant, provide accommodation during the recruitment process to ensure equal access to applicants with disabilities. Please contact our People & Culture team, through our Career Page to make your accommodation needs known and we will consult with you to ensure suitable accommodation is provided.
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At Kepler Communications, we are not just aiming for the stars—we're connecting them! Our mission is to provide Internet connectivity for outer space, creating essential infrastructure for the burgeoning data demands of the space economy. Based in Sterling, Virginia, we are looking for a passionate and ambitious Director of Business Development to lead our efforts in expanding our presence within the US civil and commercial sectors. In this role, you will oversee our initiatives to capture opportunities with US government agencies like NASA, NSF, and NOAA, while also fortifying relationships with commercial customers. Your day-to-day will involve engaging with stakeholders to comprehend their needs, executing capture strategies, and working closely with our internal teams to craft innovative solutions that resonate with the Kepler vision of Internet in space. We want a driven professional who brings with them a robust network and an understanding of the industry's landscape. You will maintain a solid sales pipeline, lead proposal management, and accurately forecast sales, all while representing Kepler at high-profile events. If you're ready to take on a pivotal role within a company that truly values growth and innovation, we invite you to join us at Kepler Communications, where your expertise can make a stellar impact!
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