Business Development Director (United States Marine Corps)

Job Description For over 50 years, AeroVironment has been a leader in advanced technologies and diverse innovations that have redefined how the world drives, flies, and connects. If you thrive on a culture of relentless problem-solving and invention, and want to work for a global front-runner where you tackle real-world challenges, then AeroVironment is the place for you. Come join our group of innovative thinkers and discover how collaborative efforts produce extraordinary products that touch lives around the world. You can be a part of the team that developed these firsts: a controlled human-powered aircraft, the modern consumer electric car, a tiny hummingbird-like drone and a helicopter that flew on Mars. We also set flight records in near-space with our solar-powered aircraft and we re-shaped the battlefield with portable, hand-held, tactical drones and loitering munitions. We have cemented our reputation around the world and in record books as unrivaled technological pioneers... including seven innovative vehicles in the Smithsonian Institution's permanent collection in Washington, DC. While engineering for the future is what we do, we are ever-mindful of our strong commitment to purpose -- to secure lives and advance sustainability through transformative innovation. The products and solutions we provide our customers help to save lives and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Join us to help push beyond the realm of the possible with such future-defining technologies as robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity to generate ever-more meaningful actionable intelligence for our customers so they can proceed with certainty - and succeed. Summary The Business Development Director is responsible for the identification and presentation of technology solutions to fill United States Marine Corps operational gaps through the employment of advanced unmanned systems capabilities and artificial intelligence analytics. This position will lead the capture planning effort to the satisfaction of the customer and the AeroVironment (AV) staff and maintains close ties to the customer organization following contract award. Duties Builds trusted relationships across assigned customer organizations at all levels and facilitate the same for others within AeroVironment Identify, shape, and create new business opportunities for AeroVironment while meeting the needs of assigned customers Represents AeroVironment to the customer organization and continuously works to strengthen the company's reputation within the customer organization Utilizes new business processes and the AV Capture Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool Creates capture plans with compelling win strategies for new business opportunities Conducts market research to assess size and potential value of an opportunity Conducts competitive assessments to understand strengths and weaknesses of AeroVironment solutions considering competition Supports monthly forecast reviews and annual strategic planning process Helps prioritize company investment recommendations Identifies funding sources, contract vehicles, influencers, and decision-makers with prospective customer organizations Communicates regularly with management and work closely with Product Line Management to provide customer requirements and competitive feedback Qualifies new leads and manages meetings to identify initial customer requirements Assists with marketing collateral development Works with Product Line Managers and the Engineering Department to identify technology needs and connect them with funding sources Builds partnerships with other companies to pursue specific opportunities and enhance AV product offerings Works on significant and unique issues where analyses of situations, or data, could require evaluations of intangibles amongst other available information Performs other duties as assigned Experience Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Science or relevant discipline is required, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience 12 - 15 years of relevant or equivalent experience (inclusive of military experience) United States Marine Corps and/or US Navy experience required Demonstrated experience in writing proposals and winning contracts within assigned customer segment (US Government, Non-DOD; US Government, DOD; or International) Understanding of FAR/DFARS is a plus Prior relevant experience working with DoD customers in requirement setting and acquisition Proven understanding of Domestic US customer requirements/needs/issues Prior experience following a formal business development gate process and using CRM tools Background related to aerial loitering munitions,small and medium UAS, preferred Additional Requirements Advanced degree is preferred Manned/Unmanned Aviation and/or Ground experience desired USG Acquisition experience desired Strong Business Development acumen and working knowledge of typical contracts used by US Government, DOD Strong understanding of US Government acquisition and program planning processes Demonstrated leadership skills Demonstrated business experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives; delivers message to Garcia (A Message to Garcia, Elbert Hubbard's essay on initiative, first publication 1899) Strong communication, negotiation, strategic planning and interpersonal skills Computer skills with proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) Ability to uncover the needs of varying customers and through practical thinking and in partnership with company subject matter experts, offer imaginative yet economical solutions to customers Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests Ability to travel within contiguous US from 25-50% of time; potential for periodic outside continental US travel This is a pipeline requisition posted in advance of approved headcount for future hiring needs. Note: Our team is always interested in speaking with exceptional candidates though please note this is a Pipeline posting with more of an eye towards our future needs rather than necessarily being an immediate hire. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. COVID Vaccine Statement AeroVironment is a U.S. government contractor, and is therefore subject to the September 9, 2021 Presidential Executive Order requiring COVID-19 vaccines for federal contractors. Consistent with AeroVironment's commitment to health, safety, and national security, all U.S.-based AeroVironment employees must be fully vaccinated from COVID-19; this means that all new hires located in the United States must provide proof of being fully vaccinated from COVID-19 before their start date. At this time, the vaccination requirement applies only to U.S.-based employees; non-U.S. locations will have their own vaccination policies in accordance with applicable law of the non-U.S. jurisdiction. Salary Range: $250K -- $500K+ Minimum Qualification Business DevelopmentEstimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualificationsShow full descriptionCollapse