Director, Business Development, D&S Canada-EN

Kibbi; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 185,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dynamic team

Stimulating work

Recognized initiative

Multidisciplinary projects

Employee benefits

Hybrid work

Job summary

CAE Defence & Security Canada is seeking a Business Development Director to lead BD and Capture activities across CAE Defence & Security Canada. The role combines strategic leadership with Lead-to-Award execution to shape opportunities and position CAE for profitable growth in Canadian defence markets.

You will build customer engagement strategies, manage key relationships, mentor teams, and oversee pursuit budgets while ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or Business Administration.
• Minimum 15 years in business development, capture within Canadian defence industry.
• Minimum 10 years with Canadian defence procurement processes.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of the Canadian defence market and procurement processes.
• Experience managing complex opportunities with structured capture methodologies.
• Strong business acumen and decision-making in competitive markets.
• Strong English and French communication.
• Ability to obtain NATO Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to travel within Canada 25–40% and internationally up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of BD Managers and oversee Capture Managers.
• Develop and execute BD strategies aligned with D&S Canada growth.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities.
• Lead end-to-end Lead-to-Award process including qualification and bid strategy.
• Support major pursuits across air, naval, mission support, and more.
• Engage with CAF, DND, Government of Canada, partners, and suppliers.
• Coordinate pursuits across CAE D&S units and regions.
• Provide leadership for proposals and capture budgets.
• Monitor market trends and identify new growth opportunities.
• Coach and develop BD professionals and foster succession planning.

Skills

Leadership

Capture management

Business development

Proposal management

Bilingual English/French

Defense procurement knowledge

Team development

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Science/Business

Job description

Description

The Business Development Director is responsible for leading BusinessDevelopment and Capture activities for CAE Defence & Security (D&S) Canada. Thisrole provides strategic leadership across defence domains and is accountable fordeveloping and executing growth strategies, managing key customer and partnerrelationships, and driving successful program pursuits.

The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with disciplinedLead-to-Award execution, helping shape opportunities, build customer engagementstrategies, and position CAE for profitable growth across Canadian defencemarkets.

* This position is a replacement role***

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead and develop a team of Business Development Managers and provideoversight to Capture Managers through direct or matrix reportingrelationships.
• Develop and execute short-, medium-, and long-term business developmentstrategies aligned with D&S Canada growth objectives.
• Build, maintain, and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities across currentand emerging defence markets.
• Lead the end-to-end Lead-to-Award process, including opportunityqualification, capture planning, stakeholder engagement, bid strategydevelopment, and pursuit execution.
• Support major pursuits across air, naval, mission support, simulation,training, and advanced sensor technology domains.
• Shape customer requirements and influence opportunity development throughengagement with the Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence,Government of Canada stakeholders, industry partners, and suppliers.
• Develop compelling value propositions and business cases that differentiateCAE solutions in competitive procurement environments.
• Collaborate with strategy, operations, program management, communications,government relations, and public affairs teams to ensure coordinated customerengagement.
• Coordinate pursuit activities across CAE D&S business units, geographicregions, and Civil operations in support of the OneCAE approach.
• Provide leadership and governance for proposal and capture activities,including pursuit budgets, bid investments, and business developmentplanning.
• Manage significant business development, proposal, and pursuit-relatedbudgets while ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Monitor market trends, customer priorities, and competitive activity toidentify new growth opportunities.
• Coach, mentor, and develop business development professionals to buildorganizational capability, strengthen employee engagement, and supportsuccession planning.
• Foster effective communication and visibility across internal and externalstakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Support opportunities ranging from smaller strategic pursuits to complex,multi-billion-dollar programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Business Administration, or anequivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in business development, capture management,marketing, proposal management, or program management within theCanadian defence industry.
• Minimum 10 years of experience working with Canadian defence procurementprocesses and practices.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of the Canadian defence market, including the Canadian ArmedForces, Department of National Defence, and Government of Canada procurementprocesses.
• Experience managing complex opportunities through structured capture andbusiness development methodologies.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to make informed decisions incompetitive and evolving market environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and French.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with customers,partners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain NATO Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Controlled Goods Program clearance.
• Eligibility to work in Canada as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, orholder of a valid work permit.
• Ability to travel within Canada approximately 25% to 40% based on businessneeds.
• Ability to travel internationally up to approximately 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or graduate-level business education.
• Experience leading large-scale strategic defence pursuits and captureactivities.
• Experience managing proposal and pursuit budgets valued in the millions ofdollars.
• Demonstrated success developing relationships with major OEMs, defencecontractors, and industry partners.
• Advanced knowledge of defence market trends, competitive positioning, andopportunity qualification techniques.
• Experience supporting opportunities across multiple domains, including air,naval, mission support, training, simulation, and advanced technologies.
• Experience operating within a global organization and coordinating activitiesacross multiple business units and geographies.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicateeffectively across all organizational levels.

Benefits

• Dynamic and collaborative team environment.
• Stimulating work environment.
• Culture where initiative is recognized and valued.
• Opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects within a multidisciplinaryteam.
• Attractive employee benefits.
• Hybrid work model combining in-office and remote work flexibility

Base Pay Range

Our total rewards package includes base pay and benefits, with finalcompensation determined by experience, skill, location, and internal equity.

$184,600 - $234,600

***This position is entitled to commission and /or bonus***

About CAE

At CAE, our mission is clear: to help make the world a safer place. For nearly80 years, we’ve driven innovation in simulation, training, and mission readinessto support critical operations worldwide. By leveraging advanced technologies,we empower our customers to operate smarter, faster, and more sustainably. Joina purpose-driven organization where bold ideas are encouraged, collaborationdrives progress, and your growth fuels our shared success.

Position Type

Regular

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

CAE is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants, regardlessof race, nationality, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression,sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, veteran status, age, or othercharacteristics protected by law. We encourage applicants who may not meet everyqualification to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available—contact yourrecruiter or email [e-mail] if needed.

Data Privacy

Privacy Statement | CAE

As part of our process, we may use AI‑supported tools to help reviewapplications, with human decision‑making at every step. CAE thanks allapplicants for their interest. However, only those whose background andexperience match the requirements of the role will be contacted.