Business Development Manager - Commercial

Summary The Business Development Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing key business development activities across national and international markets. The role requires close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to achieve organizational goals and to mentor junior staff. Position Responsibilities Oversee execution of the entire business development and proposal processes, ensuring adherence to requirements. Lead identification and creation of new business opportunities within and outside the Continental U.S. Build and maintain trusted relationships with customers at all levels of their organizations. Develop and implement capture strategies with compelling win strategies for new business opportunities. Conduct market research to assess the size and potential value of opportunities. Conduct competitive assessments to understand the strengths and weaknesses of AeroVironment solutions. Work with the Finance team to manage project charge numbers and ensure proper budget allocation for proposal efforts. Ensure regulatory compliance of all product and technological offerings. Mentor and manage junior Business Development staff, guiding their career growth and development. Engage in significant travel to build and maintain customer relationships and pursue business opportunities. Communicate regularly with management and other internal stakeholders to align on customer requirements and feedback. Collaborate with the TMS leadership and the engineering team to identify technology needs and connect them with potential funding sources. Establish partnerships with other companies to pursue specific opportunities and enhance AeroVironment product offerings. Support the development of marketing collateral in coordination with the marketing team. Assist in identifying and recruiting top talent to build a high‑performing business development team. Execute other duties as assigned. Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) Minimum of 12 years of relevant business development experience. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. Extensive experience in writing proposals and winning contracts within USSOCOM and/or DoD. Proven understanding of domestic and international customer requirements/needs/issues. Experience using formal new business gate processes and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools. Strong knowledge of U.S. Government (USG) acquisition and program planning processes. Demonstrated business acumen with a background in ground special operations related to tactical missiles and small UAS, or similar fields. U.S. Citizenship required; active Secret security clearance and ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance, if required. Valid driver's license and clean DMV record. Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time. Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills. Experience in developing competitive proposals for large-scale programs. Strong understanding of budget and schedule processes and ability to track and forecast using business analysis techniques. Highly self-motivated with strong problem-solving and multi-tasking skills. Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams. Strong negotiation, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, and adapt quickly to changing requirements and targets. Exhibits strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives. Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above personal interests. Committed to continuous improvement and learning from mistakes. Physical Demands Ability to work in an office environment. Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (constant). Special Requirements U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required. Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S. Clearance Level No Clearance Salary Range $101,000 - $143,325 Benefits Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matching, 9/80 work schedule, and paid holiday shutdown. ITAR Requirement This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR and the EAR, or a person approved for an export license by the governing agency. A “U.S. person” is a U.S. citizen, a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or a protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. EEO Statement AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other legally protected status. #J-18808-Ljbffr AeroVironment