Senior Business Development Manager

W.S. Darley & Co. is seeking a highly qualified Senior Business Development Manager to support and grow our Detroit Arsenal portfolio. The ideal candidate is a retired or senior‑level ARMY Officer or NCO with deep understanding of military operations, acquisition systems, and industry engagement. This individual will serve as a key leader in expanding Darley’s presence across Detroit Arsenal mission areas, shaping strategy, identifying opportunities, and building trusted relationships across government and industry.

This position is based in the Detroit Arsenal area (Warren, MI) and requires regular on‑site engagement with Army acquisition, program management, and industry partners.

Founded in 1908, W.S. Darley & Co. (Darley) remains a family owned and operated business, supplying the highest quality equipment solutions to its military and first responder customers. With origins in the equipment distribution and Midwest manufacturing, Darley offers a family of leading innovative emergency equipment brands and solutions. Darley prides itself on delivering the highest quality solutions and services from its corporate headquarters in Itasca, IL and its ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing operations in Chippewa Falls, WI and Janesville, IA.

Darley also maintains offices in six countries worldwide.

Darley Defense, a division of the W.S. Darley company, specializes in using existing contracts to distribute products and services to the Federal Government. Darley Defense specializes in special operational equipment and fire and emergency services.

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as otherwise required.

This position requires up to 40% travel.

• Master's degree in business related study or Defense Strategic Studies
• Top Secret Security Clearance preferred

• Military leadership experience at the O-5 / E-9 level or above.
• 2–5 years of experience working in or overseeing acquisition efforts—either:
• As a uniformed service member, or
• As an industry representative selling to the U.S. military or federal government.
• Thorough understanding of US ARMY operations, capability development, and program management, acquisition processes.

• Retired military with acquisition, government procurement or supply experience
• 5-10 years of experience selling to military / government or working in acquisition fields inside the government
• 1-2 Tours at Major Command, either in parent service or a joint assignment
• Working experience with MS Office suite of products, especially Excel to perform business analysis and reporting
• Understanding of government contracts and purchasing vehicles
• O-5 / O-6 as the last military rank held.
• Experience at Detroit Arsenal, TACOM LCMC, PEO GCS, PEO CS&CSS, GVSC, ACC-DTA or HQ-level roles within the US ARMY.
• DAU Level II/III Program Management certification, or 2–4 years of military experience working:
  • Acquisition or contracting
  • Ground Combat Systems / Ground Combat Support Systems

• Leadership and senior-level management
• Excellent communication proficiency
• Team-building and cross-functional collaboration
• Technical aptitude related to defense systems or acquisition
• Training, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement
• Command presence / strong public speaking ability
• Highly organized and able to multi-task
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Team Builder
• Committed to providing exceptional Customer Service
• Understanding of basic business financial concepts
• Able to use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health & Wellness Reimbursement
• Medical
• Vision
• Life & Disability
• HSA with Darley contribution
• FSA
• 401K/Roth with match and profit sharing
• Darley paid life insurance

On-Target Earnings (OTE): $200,000+ (combination of base salary + performance-based bonus)

Darley is an equal opportunity organization. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law