VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Ravelin Defense Inc.; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Ravelin Defense Inc. seeks a Vice President of Business Development to drive strategic growth across aerospace, defense government and commercial markets.

Reporting to the CMO, this executive leads capture, builds a robust opportunity pipeline, and forges executive relationships with prime contractors, shipbuilders and Navy program offices. The role requires a US citizen with 10–15 years of experience in defense/industrial BD, travel 30–50%, and strong negotiation and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
• US Citizen required.
• 10–15 years of progressive BD or capture in manufacturing for defense.
• Experience with defense/naval programs is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Identify strategic opportunities and cultivate customer relationships.
• Lead capture activities and expand market position.
• Maintain robust pipeline across government and commercial defense markets.
• Represent the company at industry events and government meetings.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, estimating, PM and finance to align capabilities and proposals.
• Support contract negotiations and transition to award.

Skills

Executive presence

Business acumen

CRM leadership

Capture strategy

Negotiation

Communication & presentation

Market intelligence

Results orientation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering/Manufacturing

MBA

Tools

MS Office Suite

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Basic Job Purpose:The Vice President of Business Development is responsible for developing and executing the company’s strategic growth initiatives across the aerospace and defense government and commercial industrial markets.Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, the Vice President of Business Development serves as a key member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for driving sustainable revenue growth by securing contracts to provide products and manufacturing services including precision machining, metal fabrication, welding, and complex electromechanical and mechanical assemblies to support mission-critical defense and naval programs.Assignment of Functions and Responsibilities:This executive leader will identify strategic opportunities, cultivate customer relationships, lead capture activities and expand the company’s market position.Builds and maintains a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities across government and commercial defense markets.Represents the company at industry conferences, trade associations, customer meetings and government events.Establishes and maintains executive-level relationships with:Prime aerospace and defense contractorsShipbuilders and related maritime vessel engineering and manufacturing specialistsTier I and Tier II defense suppliersGovernment procurement organizationsU.S. Department of Defense agenciesU.S. Navy program officesServes as the primary executive contact for strategic customer accounts.Leads opportunity identification, qualification, and capture efforts from early pursuit through contract award.Collaborates with engineering, operations, estimating, program management and finance teams to ensure opportunities align with operational capabilities and develop winning proposals.Supports contract negotiations and transition to contract award efforts.Develops strategic alliances with prime contractors, OEMs, and complementary manufacturing partners.Identifies teaming opportunities that expand the company’s capabilities and market reach.Manage 3rd party sales representatives for international and domestic pursuits and opportunities.Minimum Requirements for Education, Skillset, Qualifications, and Experience:Must be a US CitizenBachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing or related field. MBA preferred.Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive business development or capture management experience in a manufacturing environment focused on metal fabrication, machining, welding and assembly for defense applications.Demonstrated success in winning complex manufacturing contracts supporting defense and naval customers.Established network within the defense industrial base, including prime contractors and naval programs.Excellent executive communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.Ability to travel approximately 30–50%.Proficient in MS office (Excel, PP, Word)Preferred Skills and Experience:Experience supporting U.S. Navy shipbuilding and submarine programs.Familiarity with defense manufacturing quality systems, including AS9100, ISO 9001, NAVSEA standards, and military specifications.Experience with FAR/DFARS requirements and government procurement regulations.Existing relationships with major defense contractors such as Huntington Ingalls Industries, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, RTX, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and others.Key Competencies:Executive PresenceBusiness AcumenCustomer Relationship ManagementOpportunity QualificationCapture StrategyGovernment ContractingNegotiationMarket IntelligenceCommunication & PresentationResults OrientationPerformance Metrics:Success in this role will be measured by:Revenue growthNew contract awards / additions to backlogQualified opportunity pipeline valueCustomer retention and satisfactionStrategic account growthNew customer acquisitionMarket expansion into targeted sectorsAchievement of annual business development objectives