Vice President, Growth Strategy and Operations for Westat

SRI Executive; Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan

Vacation Leave (20 days per year)

Health Insurance

Job summary

Westat is seeking an accomplished growth executive to strengthen capabilities, processes, and infrastructure that enable sustained growth across the federal marketplace.

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, the Vice President, Growth Strategy & Operations will advance Westat’s business development ecosystem by building scalable, data-driven processes and enterprise capabilities that drive opportunities from identification to win.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable business development processes, standards, methodologies, and operating practices across the pursuit lifecycle.
• Strengthen pipeline visibility with executive-level reporting and metrics to support strategic decisions.
• Advance enterprise approaches to capture, proposal development, opportunity qualification, and pursuit execution.

Job description

SRI Executive Search has been contracted by Westat to assist with the search for an exceptional candidate to fill the position of Vice President, Growth Strategy and Operations.

About Westat

Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.

For more information, visit www.westat.com.

Role Purpose

Westat is seeking an accomplished growth executive to strengthen the capabilities, processes, and infrastructure that enable sustained growth across the federal marketplace.

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, the Vice President, Growth Strategy & Operations will advance Westat’s business development ecosystem by strengthening the capabilities, processes, and infrastructure that support opportunity identification, market engagement, pursuit strategy, capture excellence, proposal quality, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will help create a more scalable, data-driven, and technology-enabled growth environment that increases competitiveness and improves win outcomes.

Rather than managing individual pursuits, this leader will improve enterprise capability by bringing together strategy, process improvement, technology, analytics, governance, and organizational development to strengthen Westat’s ability to identify, qualify, pursue, and win business. Working across diverse stakeholders, the Vice President will foster alignment, improve execution, and build repeatable practices that enable teams to perform at their highest level and support long-term growth objectives.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and continuously enhance scalable business development processes, standards, methodologies, and operating practices that drive consistency, quality, collaboration, speed, and better decision-making across the pursuit lifecycle.

Growth Insights & Performance

• Strengthen visibility into pipeline health, growth trends, market opportunities, and business development performance by developing executive-level reporting and metrics that support strategic decision-making and improve forecasting, prioritization, and investment decisions.

Pursuit Effectiveness

• Advance enterprise approaches to capture, proposal development, opportunity qualification, and pursuit execution while promoting best practices, lessons learned, and knowledge sharing to improve overall pursuit readiness and competitiveness.
• Partner with stakeholders to evaluate and implement technologies, including AI, automation, analytics, and digital tools, that enhance business development performance, improve efficiency and decision-making, and help define the organization’s roadmap for modern business development enablement.

Strategic Market Positioning

• Monitor market developments, acquisition trends, and emerging opportunities while supporting growth strategies that expand market access, strengthen competitive positioning, and inform enterprise planning and strategic investment decisions.

Organizational Leadership

• Build, develop, and mentor high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, customer focus, and continuous improvement and leading organizational change efforts that improve effectiveness and business outcomes.

Executive Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, influencing stakeholders across the organization to drive alignment, execution, and practical operational improvements that advance strategic priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

MBA strongly preferred.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor degree and 15+ years of experience leading federal business development, growth operations, capture, proposal, or related strategic functions.
• Demonstrated success improving organizational performance in complex, matrixed environments.
• Deep understanding of federal acquisition processes and competitive growth strategies.
• Experience leading transformation initiatives involving process improvement, technology modernization, analytics, and organizational change.
• Demonstrated executive presence with experience influencing senior stakeholders.

Terms of Appointment

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
• Sick Leave (9 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.

Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Role Location

This position will be hybrid, working in Westat’s Bethesda, Maryland office 4 days per week.