Vice President of Strategy

Who We’re Looking For (Position Overview)

The Vice President of Strategy will play a pivotal role in guiding the company's evolution from a small defense contractor to a large-scale player. Reporting directly to the COO, this leader will develop and execute comprehensive strategies for growth, innovation, and operational maturity. The role emphasizes identifying new business opportunities, fostering technological advancements, and optimizing internal processes to support scalable expansion while aligning with Department of Defense (DoD) and intelligence community priorities.

This position requires a visionary with deep defense industry expertise to drive revenue growth, enhance competitive positioning, and build resilient operations.

What Your Day-To-Day Looks Like (Position Responsibilities)

• Growth Strategy Development:
Define and implement a growth roadmap, including market analysis, opportunity pipeline management, and scenario planning to maximize revenue in defense and intelligence sectors. Identify and pursue organic growth (new business and on-contract expansion) and inorganic opportunities such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures to facilitate scaling from small to large operations.

• Innovation Leadership:
Lead innovation initiatives by injecting disruptive technologies and digital solutions into product development, capture strategies, and service offerings. Collaborate with R&D teams, external partners, and industry ecosystems to address capability gaps, leverage emerging trends (e.g., AI, cybersecurity, autonomous systems), and translate customer modernization needs into innovative defense solutions.

• Maturing Business Operations:
Oversee the enhancement of operational processes, including strategic planning, risk assessment, compliance with DoD regulations, and resource optimization. Implement gate reviews, performance metrics, and process improvements to build mature, efficient systems that support rapid growth, such as supply chain maturation, financial planning, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Market and Competitive Intelligence:
Monitor defense market trends, customer buying patterns, competitor activities, and technology shifts. Cultivate high-level relationships with DoD, intelligence agencies, and industry stakeholders to influence program directions and align company offerings with evolving requirements.

• Capture and Business Development:
Enable capture teams through opportunity identification, qualification, shaping, teaming, and bid strategies. Manage portfolio growth, investment tradeoffs, and reporting to ensure sustained expansion.

• Team Leadership and

Collaboration:

Mentor and lead a cross-functional team of strategy, business development, and innovation professionals. Foster a culture of collaboration across the organization, including with corporate strategy, technology offices, and external partners, to drive positive change and achieve business goals.

• Performance Monitoring and Reporting:
Track key metrics such as pipeline health, awards, submits, and new business funds. Participate in executive reviews, financial planning, and strategy updates to align with overall corporate objectives.

What You Need to Succeed (Minimum Requirements)

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, information systems, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.

• 15+ years of experience in government contracting, business development, capture management, strategy, or growth roles within the defense industry.

• Deep understanding of national security budgets, acquisition processes, and technology trends in defense.

• Strong analytical, strategic, and communication skills, with experience in matrixed teams and executive-level negotiations.

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain Top Secret/SCI clearance.

• Willingness to travel up to 10-20% as needed.

Ideally, You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience in scaling operations from small to large defense contractors, including M&A execution and operational transformation.

• Background in innovation or technology roles, with demonstrated ability to integrate disruptive tech into defense strategies.

• Public thought leadership in defense IT modernization or systems innovation.

• Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Office for reporting and customer relationship management systems for pipeline tracking.

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