Senior Director, International Business Development - Defense Sector

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos has an exciting opportunity seeking a Senior Director, International Business Development to join the Defense Sector Growth Organization. This senior leadership role is responsible for driving the Defense Sector's international growth agenda across all Business Areas. The selected candidate will serve as the principal architect of Leidos' international defense growth strategy, partnering with sector and business area leadership to shape and win high-value Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) opportunities worldwide.

This mission-critical role reports directly to the Defense Sector Growth SVP and carries enterprise-wide accountability for international pipeline generation, pursuit qualification, capture leadership, and long-term strategic planning.

THE MISSION

The Defense Sector International Business Development function has a mission to expand Leidos' presence in international defense markets by developing enduring government-to-government and commercial relationships, leading winning capture strategies, and ensuring alignment between international opportunity pursuit and the sector's strategic growth objectives.

THE CHALLENGE:

• Lead the Defense Sector's international growth strategy, serving as the primary point of accountability for international pipeline development, pursuit qualification, and capture outcomes
• Partner with all Defense Sector Business Areas to identify, qualify, and pursue international opportunities aligned to their portfolios and capabilities
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with foreign military customers, foreign government officials, U.S. Government foreign military representatives, and key industry partners worldwide
• Lead and execute end-to-end capture strategies for high-value FMS and DCS opportunities, including win strategy development, teaming, pricing, and proposal oversight
• Obtain and synthesize market intelligence and competitive data to inform pursuit decisions and develop marketing strategies that guide capture teams
• Draft, facilitate, and manage export license processes including DSP-5, DSP-85, TAA, and MLA submissions in support of Defense Sector capabilities
• Drive participation in bid decisions, gate reviews, and cost strategy development for international pursuits
• Develop and recommend business development and marketing strategies for maximum customer and market penetration in target international markets
• Lead development of the long-term international strategic plan for the Defense Sector, including identification of adjacent market opportunities
• Manage international new business funds and ensure responsible stewardship of BD investment resources
• Represent Leidos at international defense conferences, trade shows, and industry engagements to promote capabilities and build relationships
• Collaborate across Leidos sectors and corporate functions to bring the full breadth of Leidos capabilities to international opportunities

WHAT SETS YOU APART:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 15+ years of experience working in defense/government markets; Master's degree with 12+ years preferred
• Demonstrated track record of winning international defense business through FMS and/or DCS channels at contract values exceeding $100M
• 5+ years of direct experience managing U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) international programs, contracts, and relationships
• Deep knowledge of export regulations including ITAR, EAR, and the Foreign Military Sales process
• Proven expertise drafting and executing export licenses (DSP-5, DSP-85, TAA, MLA)
• Demonstrated senior executive-level relationships with foreign government defense customers, U.S. defense attaches, and in-country partners
• Strong ability to develop and align cross-functional teams and work across organizational boundaries within a large, matrixed corporation
• Experience managing new business funds or equivalent BD investment budgets
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting to C-suite and senior government executives
• Proven ability to coach and mentor BD professionals and instill drive, discipline, and strategic thinking into a geographically dispersed team
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally on short notice

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior U.S. military service or Government experience with direct engagement with foreign nations and militaries
• Formal capture and proposal training (Shipley or equivalent)
• Experience with international coalition and partnership programs (Five Eyes, NATO, INDOPACOM partners)
• Experience and comfort operating at C-suite levels domestically and internationally
• Established network within the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) and Security Cooperation community

CLEARANCE REQUIRED:

• Top Secret desired; not required. Must be eligible for clearance.

At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

May 19, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit .

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at .

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at View email address on apply.j-vers.com .

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission .

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.