Sr. Business Development Account Executive - Marine Corps Program

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; United States; Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage

401(k) Savings Plan

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc. is looking for a Senior Business Development Account Executive to lead market strategies and achieve booking objectives in the defense sector. This role involves managing capture activities, providing strategic direction, and fostering customer relationships to enhance sales of UAV products.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in defense technology, excellent communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to work effectively in team environments. The position includes a range of benefits, including medical insurance and a 401(k) savings plan.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of product management, engineering, and/or business development experience.
• Minimum Secret Security Clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret or higher clearance.
• Prior DoD experience required.

Responsibilities

• Identify, promote, and capture sales of KUAS products.
• Provide strategic direction to the Business Development organization.
• Lead proposal activities for assigned capture efforts.

Skills

Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills

Excellent planning and organizational skills

Deep knowledge of company products

Influence and client management skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is a leading defense technology company focused on unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems.

General Job Summary

The Senior Business Development Account Executive is responsible for market analysis, strategy development, managing the execution of the strategy, and achieving booking objectives for assigned accounts. The SBDAE also manages capture and proposal activities, including timely gate reviews, process compliance, and transition to the program execution team. In addition, the SBDAE provides strategic direction and counsel to the Business Development organization, promotes teaming decisions, pricing and win strategies supporting the company’s objectives, and manages administrative functions as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

• Identify, promote, forecast, advance, and capture sales of KUAS products in assigned territories or accounts.
• Assist the SVP of Business Development in deconfliction and coordination of marketing pursuits across all territories.
• Act as backup for the SVP or Directors of Business Development during senior staff meetings.
• Develop realistic booking targets with management to support a rolling forecast and present the forecast to senior leadership.
• Identify, qualify, and quantify target opportunities; suggest pursuit strategies; contribute to overall business development strategy.
• Initiate customer contact and follow‑up with targeted agencies and companies.
• Foster continuous customer relationships with key industry and customer contacts across marketing, sales, executive, programmatic, representative, and technical disciplines.
• Maintain an accurate understanding of KUAS capabilities and articulate the value to customers.
• Understand customers’ unique needs and negotiate deals, contracts, and close integrated opportunities.
• Respond to RFQs, RFPs, demonstrations, trade shows, and meetings in a timely manner.
• Ensure the customer perspective is understood, keep information current, monitor the competitive environment, and communicate information to internal teams as needed.
• Provide oversight of proposal activities for assigned capture efforts.
• Lead and coordinate with internal resources for shipping, ITAR compliance, technical support, and finance for BD opportunities.
• Oversee technical data export licensing activities required for business development.
• Provide specific inputs to department spending budgets and forecasts for assigned accounts.
• Contribute weekly/monthly status briefings for corporate management review.
• Represent KUAS at trade shows as assigned.
• Conduct all business activities with the highest ethics standards.
• Maintain a detailed Outlook calendar of travel, meetings, and events supporting BD activities.
• Communicate effectively, both written and verbal.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Compensation

$160,000 - $199,000

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required

• Maintain sensitive and confidential information per government standards.
• Interact effectively with peers, supervisors, and the public.
• Adhere to workplace rules.
• Identify strategic partners and key customer enablers.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Excellent planning, organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Deep knowledge of company products along with strong research and analytical skills.
• Influence and client management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Familiar with DoD, commercial, and international acquisition practices.
• Operate well in a team and excel as an individual contributor.

Preferred

• Working knowledge of Contracts Management and Program Management.
• Knowledge of major defense or commercial accounts.
• Strong understanding of European Defense requirements.

Education and Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of product management, engineering and/or business development experience with at least 2-3 years of managing projects and budgets.
• Minimum 3 years directly relevant aerial targets/UAV or major aerial targets/UAV subsystem business development experience.
• Prior DoD experience required.
• Experience pioneering and executing win strategies.
• Success and leadership of major campaigns/proposals from inception through delivery.
• Minimum Secret Security Clearance with ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret or higher clearance.
• Prior experience in Business Development in a U.S. defense contractor with emphasis on International Business Development (minimum 4 years).
• 5+ years of experience in a DoD acquisition or operationally relevant position.

Preferred

• Master’s degree.
• Additional DoD acquisition or operational experience.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Office environment.
• Ability to stand and sit for long periods.
• Perform repetitive motion (typing, phone).
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds per safety guidelines.

Travel Requirements

• International and domestic travel may be required up to 50%.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EOE: Minorities, Females, Veterans, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and all other protected classes. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation

Send accommodation requests to [e-mail] or call 858-964-2916.

Pay Transparency

Discrimination based on pay inquiries is prohibited.

Privacy Notice

Applicants in the EU and California residents should review the privacy notice.