Director of Strategic Development

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 155,370 - 289,320; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics is seeking a Director of Strategic Development in San Diego. This role includes directing business development activities within the Electromagnetic Systems Group and requires strong leadership across complex initiatives.

The candidate will need extensive experience in business development, a solid understanding of nuclear energy, and the ability to build relationships with key stakeholders. This position is critical for supporting U.S. government nuclear programs and requires managing high-stakes proposals.

Qualifications

• Typically requires 15+ years in business development with 9+ years managing activities.
• US Citizenship and ability to maintain Top Secret/Q Security Clearance.
• Experience with Department of Energy and Department of Defense preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic business development aligned with organizational objectives.
• Build relationships with government and industry partners.
• Manage proposals and business plans for U.S. government nuclear programs.

Skills

Business development

Leadership

Communication skills

Nuclear energy knowledge

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering or Business Administration

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high‑technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. We have an exciting opportunity for a Director of Strategic Development within GA‑EMS Electromagnetic Systems Group. This position reports to the Vice President, Strategic Development and is responsible for directing business development activities for products/services of the supported organization. The Director will provide strategic leadership across complex, cross‑functional initiatives, exercising influence and collaboration rather than direct supervisory authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of strategic business development plans aligned with GA‑EMS and NTM objectives.
• Influence and align cross‑functional stakeholders, including engineering, programs, finance, and supply chain, to achieve growth and capture objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insight on customers, markets, competitors, and funding landscapes.
• Build and sustain high‑impact relationships with U.S. Government, industry, national laboratories, and academic partners.
• Champion a culture of ethics, integrity, and accountability in all business development activities.
• Drive disciplined opportunity qualification, capture strategy, and proposal development to improve win probability.
• Communicate complex technical and strategic concepts clearly to diverse internal and external audiences.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Responsible for strategic development for U.S. government nuclear programs, overseeing all phases of terrestrial and space business development activities to ensure business and financial objectives are attained for U.S. Government development nuclear opportunities. Shape and capture programs relevant for advanced terrestrial nuclear power, as well as space nuclear power and propulsion.
• Regularly communicate and work with the Vice President, Nuclear, Technologies & Materials (NTM), key NTM leads and Director of Commercial and Advanced Technologies Silicon Carbide (SiC) on business and marketing strategy.
• Contribute to NTM strategic planning, providing knowledge of customers, markets, and federal and commercial funding opportunities.
• Direct the assessment of potential business opportunities through activities such as market and economic analysis, monitoring competitive activity and identifying customer needs.
• Direct and influence the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract(s).
• Grasp technical concepts and differentiators quickly to drive negotiations and develop winning offerings.
• Understand and represent company objectives in technology and stakeholder forums that include government sponsors and industry executives.
• Build winning teams among industry, national laboratories, and universities for nuclear reactor power and propulsion projects.
• Support division growth from R&D to product maturation in the areas of advanced nuclear and non‑nuclear engineered materials.
• Provides leadership and guidance in implementing new and revised strategic objectives and acts as a liaison with other organizations and affiliates.
• Represents the organization(s) with customers and potential customers, both domestic and foreign, and business and non‑business communities on significant matters.
• May be responsible for decisions that have serious impact on overall success of the unit, group and/or corporation.
• Act as the primary contact for high level business development activities. Lead progress review sessions to discuss cost, schedule, and technical performance and to disseminate information on a continuous basis to all pertinent parties concerning the fulfillment of project goals and objectives.
• Ensure business leadership and excellence is maintained by directing the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of the required management, professional, and technical talent.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors or Masters in engineering and/or business administration or a related field and fifteen or more years of progressively complex experience in business development with at least nine years managing business development activities. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• US Citizenship is required as is the ability to maintain a Top Secret/Q Security Clearance. Ideally the candidate will have an active TS/Q clearance with SCI or eligibility.
• Experience with Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, and Department of Defense customers and their prime contractors to include Intelligence Community is desired.
• Working knowledge of nuclear energy and space technologies. Must demonstrate detailed and extensive expertise and application of business development principles and concepts, and practice as well as comprehensive project management and leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
• Must possess the ability to resolve unusually complex problems; serve as spokesperson on projects.
• Excellent verbal, writing and presentation skills.
• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Type: Full‑Time Salary
Salary range: 155,370 - 289,320