Sr Director, Business Development, National Security Space (Clearance Required)

Pace Industries, LLC; Arlington, Washington (VA, District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Sr Director, Business Development, National Security Space, to lead enterprise growth across multiple market segments. You will shape strategic BD plans, manage major client relationships, and drive pursuit decisions at the executive level.

The role requires top-secret clearance, 20+ years in national security, and deep experience with government acquisition and large contracts. You will lead diverse teams and shape strategies for sustainable growth.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and full-scope polygraph is required.
• 20+ years of experience in the National Security industry, including 10+ years of program management experience and a proven track record of managing contracts exceeding $100M annually.
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or space‑related field (e.g., engineering, physics, computer science); MBA preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of U.S. Government acquisition strategies, processes, and contract vehicles.
• Extensive experience across the system development lifecycle, from concept design to deployment.
• Proven success in capturing, organizing, producing, delivering, and winning competitive proposals.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to organize, coordinate, and lead diverse teams (program management, technical, and business development) through the capture and proposal process.
• Deep understanding of National Security Space missions, stakeholders,

Responsibilities

• Build enterprise-level business development strategy across multiple market segments and global regions.
• Lead one or more components of a division at a group level within business development, including strategic accounts or capability portfolios.
• Establish strategic and tactical BD plans based on corporate strategy, market analysis, and competitive intelligence.
• Make strategic decisions about pursuit strategies, resource allocation, and market positioning.
• Provide direction and lead activities through subordinate managers responsible for major client relationships.
• Meet financial plans, goals, and schedules with focus on value creation and ROI.
• Drive enterprise-level BD initiatives aligned with corporate objectives for competitive advantage.
• Establish and oversee strategic partnerships and alliances across multiple segments.

Job description

Sierra Space Careers:

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role

The Sr Director, Business Development, National Security Space, provides executive leadership across multiple divisions or enterprise-level business development functions, architecting comprehensive growth strategies that transform the organization’s market position and revenue streams. This executive role establishes strategic and tactical plans that shape the company’s business development approach across multiple market segments, makes critical decisions that directly impact organizational performance, and leads through multiple layers of management. The Sr Director drives enterprise-level partnerships, oversees major strategic pursuits, and serves as a key advisor on market expansion and business growth. This position requires sophisticated strategic thinking, exceptional leadership presence, and the ability to translate complex market dynamics into actionable business development initiatives that deliver substantial and sustainable growth.

About You

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission. We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Key Responsibilities

• Build out enterprise-level business development strategy; identify and implement the steps needed to execute on the strategy across multiple business areas, market segments, and global regions.
• Be responsible for one or more components of a division, program, or function at a group level or a key enterprise focus area within business development, including strategic accounts, market segments, or capability portfolios.
• Establish strategic and tactical business development plans for functions/areas owned based on corporate strategy, market analysis, and competitive intelligence.
• Make strategic decisions about pursuit strategies, resource allocation, and market positioning that are critical to business development performance with likely short-term and long-term impact.
• Provide direction and lead activities through subordinate managers who have overall responsibility for the successful operation of assigned business development areas and major client relationships.
• Be accountable for meeting financial plans, goals, and schedules for business development activities with a consistent focus on value creation, win rates, and return on business development investment.
• Embry company culture and great leadership; serve as a catalyst for transformational change in business development approaches, systems, and organizational capabilities.
• Drive enterprise-level business development initiatives that align with corporate strategic objectives and position the organization for sustainable competitive advantage.
• Establish and oversee strategic partnerships and alliances that create significant business opportunities and market access across multiple segments.
• Direct the development of innovative business models and approaches to capture new markets or expand existing ones, including adjacent market strategies and capability development.
• Lead cross-functional teams to identify and pursue major business opportunities that require enterprise-wide coordination and executive sponsorship.
• Interact with internal and external executive-level management on strategic matters related to business growth, market positioning, and competitive strategy.
• Mentor and develop senior business development leaders to ensure organizational capability and succession planning for critical business development roles.
• Uphold and model company values; hold others accountable to values in all business development activities, strategic decisions, and client interactions.
• Build out the strategy; identifies and implements the steps needed to execute on the strategy over their business area/function.
• Accountable for being on cost and on schedule with a consistent focus on value creation.
• Embodies our culture and great leadership; acts as a catalyst for change.
• Is accountable to meet financial plans, goals, and schedules.
• Upholds and models company values; holds others accountable to values.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and full-scope polygraph is required.
• 20+ years of experience in the National Security industry, including 10+ years of program management experience and a proven track record of managing contracts exceeding $100M annually.
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or space‑related field (e.g., engineering, physics, computer science); MBA preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of U.S. Government acquisition strategies, processes, and contract vehicles.
• Extensive experience across the system development lifecycle, from concept design to deployment.
• Proven success in capturing, organizing, producing, delivering, and winning competitive proposals.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to organize, coordinate, and lead diverse teams (program management, technical, and business development) through the capture and proposal process.
• Deep understanding of National Security Space missions, stakeholders,