Business Development Manager, Federal

Slate Automotive LLC; United States; Remote; USD 115,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k

Equity program

Discretionary incentive program

Job summary

Slate is seeking a seasoned Business Development Manager, Federal to drive federal vehicle sales from planning to delivery in the United States. You will manage relationships with civilian agencies, DoD, and military services, guiding opportunities through RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs while coordinating with Legal, Finance, Pricing, and Operations.

As a key early fleet sales leader, you will build out the federal business, develop strategic plans, and represent Slate at industry events, translating

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree and 8+ years of automotive or EV fleet sales experience, government/public sector focus.
• 2+ years of direct government fleet sales with federal agency success.
• Experience navigating federal procurement processes and multi-stakeholder cycles.
• Established relationships with DoD, procurement stakeholders, and fleet managers.

Responsibilities

• Own the federal pipeline end to end from planning to award and delivery.
• Develop strategic account plans for civilian agencies, DoD, and military services.
• Navigate GSA Schedule, agency-direct purchasing, and military procurement vehicles.
• Lead solicitations: RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs with cross-functional teams.
• Build senior-level relationships with fleet managers and contracting officers.
• Represent Slate at federal events and customer demos; translate requirements into value propositions.
• Maintain accurate Salesforce forecasts and meet long-cycle, high-value targets.

Skills

Relationship-building

Hunter mentality

Consultative selling

Salesforce

CRM systems

Strategic account planning

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Engineering/Supply Chain/Public Policy

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

GSA schedules

Contract vehicles

FAR/DFARS fundamentals

Microsoft Office

Job description

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Slate is looking for a seasoned, relationship-driven Business Development Manager, Federal to lead our federal vehicle sales efforts. As an individual contributor on the Fleet Sales team, you will own Slate’s pursuit of federal government business, including civilian agencies, the Department of Defense and the military services, and the GSA vehicle acquisition channel. You will bring established relationships and deep procurement know-how to open doors, navigate long and complex buying cycles, and convert them into awarded contracts and delivered vehicles. As one of Slate’s first fleet sales leaders, you will help build the federal business from the ground up. You will act as a trusted advisor to fleet managers, contracting officers, and program leaders, guiding them through the transition to electric vehicles with Slate’s truck, accessories, and related fleet solutions.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

Own the federal pipeline end to end, from account planning and opportunity identification through solicitation response, award, and delivery handoff. Develop and execute a strategic account plan for priority federal customers across civilian agencies, DoD, and the military services, including installation and base-level fleet managers. Navigate federal acquisition channels, including GSA Schedule and GSA Fleet / Automotive, agency-direct purchasing, and military procurement vehicles, and guide Slate’s path to the right contract vehicles. Lead pursuit of solicitations, RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs, partnering with Legal, Finance, Pricing, and Operations on proposals, compliance requirements, and pricing. Build and sustain senior-level relationships with fleet managers, contracting officers, program offices, and prime or channel partners. Represent Slate at federal-focused events, industry days, conferences, and customer demos. Translate federal requirements and mandates, such as fleet electrification goals, domestic-content and Buy American considerations, and charging infrastructure needs, into compelling value propositions for Slate vehicles. Maintain an accurate pipeline and forecast in Salesforce, and meet or exceed unit and revenue targets in a long-cycle, high-value deal environment. Serve as the voice of the federal customer, bringing market and requirements feedback to Fleet Sales leadership, Product, and Engineering. Collaborate with Fleet Sales colleagues, Fleet Customer Success, Marketing, and Digital to deliver a best-in-class customer experience.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Public Policy, or a related field. Advanced degree is preferred. 8+ years of direct experience in automotive or EV fleet sales, serving government, public-sector, and commercial (B2B) customers. 2+ years of direct experience in government fleet sales, with demonstrated success selling to federal agencies, navigating complex public-sector procurement processes, closing large federal deals, and meeting or exceeding quota. Hands‑on experience navigating federal and military procurement, including GSA schedules and contract vehicles, FAR / DFARS fundamentals, and agency‑specific purchasing processes. Established relationships with federal fleet, procurement, or contracting stakeholders, including DoD and military services, are strongly preferred. Demonstrated success managing multi‑stakeholder sales cycles that span many months or years. Highly motivated, gritty self‑starter who can operate in a dynamic white‑space environment and work through roadblocks. You’re a hunter, not a farmer. Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship‑building skills, with a consultative sales approach. Proficiency using Salesforce or other CRM systems. Proficiency using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Active security clearance is a plus, but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have the ability to travel (up to 50%). Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds. Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

SALARY RANGE

The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors. Annual Base Pay Range: $114,612 to $203,335 USD

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start‑up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles. Safety First Delight Customers One Team Relentless Improvement Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy Respectful Collaboration Positive Legacy WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE. Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity andAffirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need.We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.