Manager Business Development 3

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Merrifield (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 263,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Northrop Grumman seeks a Senior Leader for Business Development – Strategy & Program Development (MDC2) to drive enterprise BD across the E‑2D/DoN/Navy programs. You will lead cross‑functional teams, grow the opportunity pipeline, and shape capture plans from early concept to award while aligning investments with customer roadmaps.

You will engage senior government customers, craft differentiating solutions, and influence strategy across engineering, finance, and legal.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with 10+ years in BD/strategy/capture or a related field.
• Master’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience or PhD with 4+ years.
• Defense/aerospace BD and Navy procurement experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead BD for MDC2 portfolio, coordinating across multiple program teams.
• Grow the opportunity pipeline with DoN, Navy, and adjacent markets.
• Oversee BAP: strategy, qualification, pursuit, capture plans and gates.
• Engage with customers and US Government reps; brief leadership.
• Translate mission needs into differentiating technical solutions.
• Prepare briefs, white papers, and RFI responses showing value.
• Develop BD strategies for key target markets and roadmaps.
• Influence investment planning aligned with pipeline priorities.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to craft discriminators and cost strategies.
• Support government relations and advocacy plans for campaigns.
• Conduct market intelligence and monitor competitors and trends.
• Utilize Salesforce to track opportunity health and BD execution.
• Network with senior government/military decision-makers and partners.
• Represent NG at conferences and industry events.
• Promote BD best practices and maintain a high‑performance culture.
• Ensure compliance with ethics, standards, and DoD processes.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Strategy

Capture management

Program management

Customer engagement

Market research

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or engineering

Master’s degree in business or engineering

PhD in business or engineering

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.The Manager 3, Business Development – Strategy & Program Development (MDC2), is a senior leadership role responsible for driving enterprise strategy, program development, and new business growth opportunities for a portfolio of advanced communications programs. This role specifically supports E-2D Production, Sustainment, and Future Development. This role reports to the Director of Business Development and collaborates across executive leadership, sector BD teams, and program management. The selected candidate will serve as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders and play a pivotal role in shaping and executing MDC2 business development strategies.Key ResponsibilitiesPortfolio & Pipeline LeadershipLead business development for a portfolio of advanced communications programs and pursuits within MDC2, coordinating across multiple program teams.Manage and grow the opportunity pipeline through strategic customer outreach and targeted campaign planning, focusing on the Department of the Navy (DoN), U.S. Navy, R&D Labs, and adjacent markets.Oversee all aspects of the Business Acquisition Process (BAP), including growth strategy development, opportunity qualification, pursuit prioritization, capture plan development, and progression through internal BAP/review gatesCustomer Engagement & Technical OutreachActively engage and follow up with advanced communications acquisition customers, U.S. Government representatives, and Northrop Grumman leadershipConduct independent initial technical and concept discussions with customers, translating mission needs into differentiating solutions.Develop briefings, white papers, and RFI responses that clearly articulate mission value and technical advantages.Strategy, Capture & Investment ShapingDevelop and execute comprehensive business development strategies for key target marketsInfluence internal investment planning and shape business priorities aligned with pipeline opportunities and customer roadmaps.Convene and lead multi-functional teams (engineering, program management, finance, legal, government relations) to develop mission discriminators through innovative architectures, payloads, technology strategies, management approaches, and competitive cost solutionsDevise and support execution of government relations and legislative advocacy plans to enhance key campaign outcomes.Market & Competitive IntelligenceConduct ongoing market research in advanced communications, monitor industry and technology trends, and analyze competitors to refine strategies and identify new growth areasUse SalesForce to track opportunity health, inform decision-making, and drive disciplined business development execution.Relationships & RepresentationBuild and sustain trusted relationships with senior government and military decision-makers, program offices, contracting officers, and international partnersRepresent Northrop Grumman at conferences, trade shows, and other industry events to increase visibility and strengthen customer/partner relationshipsLeadership & MentoringPromote business development best practices across the portfolio and contribute to a high-performance, mission-focused culture.Compliance & Acquisition DisciplineEnsure all business development initiatives comply with company standards, ethics, and applicable government regulationsLeverage familiarity with defense and national security space acquisition processes, including both traditional and non-traditional pathways, to guide bid decisionsBasic QualificationsMust either have a bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field and 10 years' experience or a master’s degree in business, engineering or related field and 7 years experience or a PhD in business, engineering, or a related field and 4 years' experienceMinimum 10 years’ experience in business development, strategy, capture management, or program management in the defense or aerospace sectors.Knowledge of Department of War and U.S. Navy procurement and acquisition processes.Demonstrated experience with E-2D, MDC2, and/or C2 mission requirements.Proven track record in leading / developing winning strategies and tactics to win.Experience leading and mentoring cross functional teams.Proficient in Microsoft Office SuiteMust have an active DoD Secret or Top-Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)Preferred QualificationsTechnical or operational experience supporting E-2D, MDC2, JADC2, or U.S. Navy C2 programs.Experience with U.S. Navy legislative processes.Direct experience cultivating SalesForce pipeline and opportunity management.Demonstrated success supporting cross-sector initiatives.Experience briefing and influencing internal and external senior leadership.Active Top Secret clearancePrimary Level Salary Range: $175,400.00 - $263,200.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.