Director of Business Development

Director of Business Development (Commercial Strategy)

• Lake Charles, LA | On-site with travel | 9/80 Schedule
• $180K-$200K Base (no bonus or commission)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced individual to lead commercial strategy and business development for an established manufacturer serving highly technical markets, including defense, aerospace/space, and government customers.

This individual will be responsible for identifying profitable growth opportunities, developing key customer relationships, translating technical capabilities into commercial strategies, and providing leadership to members of the commercial/sales team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute commercial strategies and business development plans
• Identify and evaluate new opportunities based on market potential, strategic fit, technical feasibility, profitability, and execution requirements
• Develop relationships with customers, prospects, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders
• Work across technical, engineering, manufacturing, supply, finance, legal, and operations teams to translate customer requirements into executable commercial plans
• Prepare market analyses, opportunity assessments, business updates, and strategic recommendations
• Develop an understanding of product capabilities, production constraints, quality requirements, and customer technical needs
• Lead commercial input for proposals, pricing, customer presentations, contract discussions, and business cases
• Establish goals and priorities for direct reports and provide coaching, performance feedback, and development
• Ensure customer commitments, contract requirements, delivery expectations, and service levels are achieved
• Monitor business performance and recommend strategic or tactical adjustments
• Travel as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of relevant commercial experience within a technical or industrial environment
• Strong business acumen, strategic planning, and customer relationship skills
• Experience developing business development strategies for technically complex products and markets
• Strong commercial judgment with experience evaluating new business opportunities
• Ability to understand and communicate technical concepts across customer, commercial, management, and cross-functional audiences
• Leadership experience with the ability to manage, coach, and develop employees
• Strong negotiation, communication, relationship-building, organization, and decision-making skills

Preferred

• MBA, MA/MS, or other relevant advanced degree
• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, space, government, or other regulated markets
• Experience supporting proposals, pricing, contract negotiations, and business development involving government or defense customers

Compensation/Benefits

• $180K-$200K base salary (no bonus or commission)
• Comprehensive health benefits
• 401(k) with 5% company match
• Company-sponsored pension
• 15 days PTO, 11 paid holidays, 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off