Business Development Director-Defense & Mission-Critical Infrastructure

We are seeking a high-caliber Business Development Director to drive tenant acquisition across our national portfolio of advanced manufacturing campuses. In this role, you will be the primary bridge between defense-industrial manufacturers and ACMI Properties. You will identify, target, and build long-term relationships with leadership teams at prime defense contractors, dual-use technology firms, and tier-1/tier-2 suppliers needing specialized, mission-critical production space. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of advanced manufacturing operations and a familiarity with DoD procurement, national security supply chains, or military operations. Key Responsibilities Identify and target defense-industrial, dual-use, and national security manufacturing companies seeking new facilities or expanding production footprints. Map key decision-makers (C-suite, VP of Operations, Head of Manufacturing, Director of Real Estate) within targeted firms. Proactively outreach via direct network, industry events, cold outreach, and ecosystem partners. Relationship Management & Strategic Partnerships Serve as the trusted advisor to prospective tenants, understanding their unique facility requirements (e.g., heavy power, clear heights, secure compartmentalization, specialized floor loads, environmental controls). Establish and nurture relationships with DoD program offices, local/state economic development boards, prime contractor supply chain leaders, and defense innovation hubs (e.g., DIU, AFWERX, NAVWAR). Guide prospective tenants from initial discovery through site tours, facility specification reviews, proposal presentation, and lease negotiations. Collaborate internally with development, engineering, and finance teams to translate tenant technical specifications into viable build-to-suit or lease agreements. Maintain a robust CRM tracking pipeline metrics, deal stages, and forecasting. Qualifications & Background Industry Experience: 5–10+ years of successful business development, sales, or account management experience in advanced manufacturing, defense supply chain, aerospace, or industrial commercial real estate. Domain Knowledge: Strong familiarity with advanced manufacturing processes (e.g., additive manufacturing, precision machining, energetics, microelectronics, composites, autonomous systems) and facility requirements. Military / Defense Connection: Prior military service, DoD civilian experience, or extensive work within the defense-industrial base (DIB) is strongly preferred. Security & Compliance Understanding: Familiarity with national security facility protocols (CMMC, ITAR, NISPOM/SCIF requirements) is a plus. Track Record: Proven ability to source, negotiate, and close high-value B2B deals or enterprise leases with long sales cycles. Communication Skills: Excellent executive presentation skills with the ability to communicate technical facility capabilities clearly to technical and executive audiences. Core Competencies Strategic Prospecting: Ability to identify emerging defense programs, contract wins, and supply chain bottlenecks that trigger real estate expansion. Technical Aptitude: Comfort speaking knowledgeably about industrial infrastructure (power, loading, structural capacity, security clearance needs). Self-Starter: Entrepreneurial mindset capable of building out a business development strategy from scratch in a high-growth environment. What We Offer Competitive base salary + performance-based incentive structure. Comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefits. Opportunity to play a pivotal role in strengthening domestic supply chain resilience and national security infrastructure. About ACMI Properties ACMI Properties is an industrial development firm dedicated exclusively to building mission-critical advanced manufacturing facilities for national security and defense-focused companies. We solve complex, capital-intensive infrastructure challenges so that key defense supply chain partners can scale their production quickly, securely, and reliably. Our campuses are engineered from the ground up to meet the stringent power, security, and operational demands of advanced manufacturing. #J-18808-Ljbffr American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation (ACMI)