Business Development Director

Job Description

BAE Systems’ Intelligence & Security Sector (I&S) Intelligence Solutions (IS) Business Area is seeking a Business Development (BD) Director to lead our growth efforts within the Intel Community.


The Business Development Director serves as a senior growth leader responsible for driving strategic expansion, deepening customer engagement, and strengthening the company’s competitive position across customer mission spaces. This role leads the enterprise-level account development and management, aligns technical and business strategies with customer priorities, and cultivates trusted relationships with mission, technical, and acquisition leadership.

As the primary liaison between customer stakeholders and BAE Systems, the Director shapes acquisition pathways, identifies emerging mission needs, and informs solution development that advances customer objectives. This includes orchestrating multi-year growth strategies, building and maturing a large and diverse pipeline across customer mission, and ensuring that BAE Systems’ capabilities spanning advanced analytics, cloud solutions, software development, and mission-enabling operations align with evolving customer priorities.

The Director is accountable for opportunity identification and qualification, pipeline health, annual growth targets and metrics that result in revenue, and the creation of meaningful customer and partner engagements that elevate BAE Systems’ presence within the Intel community. This role works with the cross-functional team (i.e. capture professionals, proposal writers, engineers, program leadership, marketing, talent acquisition, finance, and security) to facilitate the delivery of the whole of BAE Systems’ forward-leaning capabilities and mission focused solutions.
Reporting directly to the (IS) Vice President, Business Development, and working in support of the Vice President of Programs for this business area, this position is in BAE’s office in Sterling, VA. Regular travel to customers and additional company locations is required.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth & Account Leadership

o Develop and implement growth strategies aligned to customer mission priorities, including customer engagement plans, account plans, and solution roadmaps
o Identify, qualify, and mature large-scale opportunities, building a robust, strategically aligned pipeline
o Shape customer requirements using data-driven insights, competitive analysis, and market positioning techniques to maximize BAE Systems’ win probability
o Actively serve as a senior interface with customer leadership, building trusted-advisor relationships and representing BAE Systems’ value proposition
o Proactively engage customers to identify mission needs, shape acquisition strategies, and influence technical and operational requirements
o Understand customer acquisition buying patterns, acquisition vehicles, and procurement processes and timelines to position the company advantageously with customers
o Support the development of targeted marketing materials, white papers, and mission-aligned demonstrations to communicate BAE capabilities effectively
o Execute commercial and/or consultative selling skills to generate growth
Cross-Functional Integration & Internal/External Alignment
o Build and strengthen relationships with industry partners who provide value to access, technology, or delivery in customer mission spaces
o Drive internal investments aligned to customer mission needs and future acquisition trends
o Collaborate with internal functions and other parts of BAE to bring one BAE to the customer
o Work in conjunction with the CTO office to drive technology development aligned to the creation of differentiators
o Participate in New Business Funds budget exercises to ensure alignment with needs and pace of procurements Required Education, Experience, & Skills o Bachelor’s degree in technical or business-related discipline and a minimum of 12-15 years of work experience or equivalent experience
o Minimum of 10 years of proven experience in business development, sales, or a related field, with a focus on ISR, space, analysis, SW development, and operations for the Intelligence Community, specifically this customer
o Direct experience with this customer either as a government employee or contractor
o Track record of success in leading and winning contracts of varying sizes and complexity
o Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage with customers, competitors, and internal stakeholders
o Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to gather and analyze market intelligence and competitive data
o Ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans that drive growth and revenue
o Experience developing overall win strategies; shaping deals with customers; developing teaming strategies, identifying and closing with teammates
o Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and technical teams
o Familiarity with customer mission, industry trends, technologies, and challenges
o Excellent writing and presentation skills with experience presenting to senior executives and customers
o Attention to detail and relentless follow-through on actions

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $173023 - $294137

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.


Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems Intelligence & Security BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

Intelligence & Security (I&S), based in McLean, Virginia, designs and delivers advanced defense, intelligence, and security solutions that support the important missions of our customers. Our pride and dedication shows in everything we do—from intelligence analysis, cyber operations and IT expertise to systems development, systems integration, and operations and maintenance services. Knowing that our work enables the U.S. military and government to recognize, manage and defeat threats inspires us to push ourselves and our technologies to new levels.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.