Director, Military Sales

Woodward FST; Niles (IL); On-site; USD 189,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Annual stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Life & AD&D

Job summary

Woodward is seeking a Military Sales Director to lead strategy and execution of sales to defense, government, and military customers in the United States. You will build and maintain key relationships, identify opportunities, and drive revenue growth through strategic account management and proposals.

The role requires strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and deep knowledge of government contracts, export controls, and complex sales cycles in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and ability to manage cross functional teams.
• Experience in government, defense or military sales.
• Ability to work across functions and manage complex sales cycles.
• Support long-term business growth in a highly regulated environment.
• Strategic sales planning aligned with organizational goals.
• Financial acumen to forecast budgets and revenue.
• Leads and mentors diverse sales teams toward targets.
• Strong negotiation to secure favorable agreements and partnerships.
• Proficient in market analysis to identify growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop sales plans and manage key accounts while coordinating with internal teams.
• Ensure compliance with government, defense, and export control requirements.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity and customer needs.
• Formulate and execute strategic sales plans to achieve revenue objectives.
• Lead and mentor a diverse team of sales managers and drive performance.
• Monitor sales profitability and drive improvements in financial performance.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to align sales initiatives with strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Sales management

Government/defense sales

Job description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities, creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members' wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

• Estimated annual base pay: $189,000(minimum) - $227,000(midpoint) - $265,000(maximum)

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.
• 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
• 12 paid holidays
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Member referral bonus
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including:
• Home / Auto Insurance discounts
• Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Are you ready to make your mark? If you're a Sales Professional, we have an exciting opportunity for you. The Military Sales Director leads the strategy and execution of sales activities within the defense, government, and military markets. This role is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with U.S. government customers, foreign military customers, identifying new business opportunities, and driving revenue growth through strategic account management and proposal development

What You Will Be Doing

• Development of sales plans, managing key accounts, coordinating with internal teams, and ensuring compliance with all relevant government, defense, and export control requirements.
• Monitors market trends, competitive activity, and customer needs to position the company effectively in military and government sectors.
• Develop Sales Strategies: Facilitates the formulation and execution of strategic sales plans to achieve company revenue objectives and market expansion goals.
• Lead Sales Team: Manages and mentors a diverse team of sales managers, overseeing hiring, performance appraisals, and professional development.
• Drive Financial Performance: Applies industry knowledge and commercial acumen to monitor and enhance sales performance and profitability.
• Resolve Complex Sales Issues: Directs the identification and resolution of intricate sales challenges using advanced Problem-Solving skills.
• Collaborate with Senior Leaders: Engages with executive stakeholders to negotiate key agreements and align sales initiatives with overall business strategies.

What We Are Looking For

• This role requires strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, along with experience in government, defense, or military sales.
• A successful candidate should be able to work across functions, manage complex sales cycles, and support long-term business growth in a highly regulated environment.
• Strategic Planning: Develops and implements comprehensive sales strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Financial Acumen: Analyzes sales budgets, forecasts financial performance, and drives revenue growth.
• Team Leadership: Leads and motivates diverse sales teams to achieve and surpass performance targets.
• Performance Management: Conducts performance appraisals and implements reward systems to enhance team productivity.
• Negotiation: Effectively negotiates with senior stakeholders to secure favorable agreements and partnerships.
• Problem Solving: Resolves complex sales challenges using advanced critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Sales Forecasting: Accurately projects sales trends through forecast inputs from team and adjusts strategies to meet targets.
• Training and Development: Designs and oversees training programs to develop sales team competencies.
• Market Analysis: Utilizes market data and industry insights to inform sales strategies and identify growth opportunities.
• Customer Relationship Management: Maintains and strengthens relationships with key clients to ensure long term business success.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.