Business Development Associate

Business Development AssociateThe Business Development Associate plays a key role in driving growth by identifying new opportunities, supporting capture strategies, and strengthening relationships with customers, partners, and industry stakeholders. Working closely with the Business Development Manager and cross-functional teams, this role helps expand our presence in aerospace, defense, and military markets through market research, strategic outreach, and trade show participation.Essential Responsibilities:Represent East/West Industries at trade shows, conferences, and industry events, serving as a liaison for potential customers and partners.Support capture and proposal efforts by contributing market insights, drafting materials, and assisting with presentations.Assist with conducting market research, competitive analysis, and client profiling to inform business strategy and identify growth opportunities.Assist with lead generation, BD support, and client follow-ups to drive pipeline activity and strengthen customer engagement.Maintain and manage an accurate pipeline of leads and opportunities using CRM (Customer Relationship Management) or tracking tools.Build and sustain relationships with government agencies, defense contractors, and aerospace stakeholders.Collaborate with internal teams (engineering, marketing, product development) to align customer needs with business offerings.Track project progress and prepare reports for senior leadership on market trends, key metrics, and business outcomes.Assist with monitoring risks and opportunities associated with initiatives and recommend solutions.Propose and manage portions of the annual business development budget and assist in marketing spend tracking.Train new business development staff and serve as backup to the Business Development Assistant.Perform additional duties and special projects as needed to support business goals.Qualifications & Requirements:Must be a U.S. Citizen (due to the nature of contracts in the defense sector).Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field preferred.Military background is preferred.Prior experience in business development, the military, or sales support, ideally in aerospace & defense preferred.Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.Highly organized, analytical, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.Familiarity with government procurement processes and defense industry regulations is a plus.Willingness and ability to travel-locally, domestically, and internationally.Salary Range: $67k to $85k annually. This estimated range represents a good faith projection of what we believe is a competitive compensation range for this position. Please understand that the offered salary will be determined based on factors such as the applicant's credentials, experiences, and the specific requirements of the role, as well as potential internal equity and external market considerations. We do not customarily hire at the top end of the range. East/West adheres to pay transparency and equity principles and strives to remain competitive within the market. The full compensation package will be shared and discussed during the hiring process. In addition to the base salary, East/West is committed to supporting our team's well-being and professional growth through a comprehensive benefits package. This generous benefits package, includes but is not limited to:Medical Dental, Vision,Life Insurance, Long-Term DisabilityAflac Voluntary benefits (Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital, STD)PTO (3 weeks accrued first year!)10 Paid HolidaysFlexible Spending Accounts401(k) with matchingPet Insurance9/80 work week (Every other Friday off)