Director, Aerospace Defense & Government Advisory

Aprio•Rockville, MD

1d•$160,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Aprio is seeking a Director to join its Aerospace, Defense, and Government Advisory (ADGA) practice — a growing team focused on strategy, M&A advisory, and business development in the defense, aerospace, and national security markets. In this role, you will serve as the engagement lead for client strategy work, owning projects from initial scoping through final delivery while building and guiding high-performing teams. You will expand existing client relationships, originate new business, and contribute thought leadership that advances the practice's growth and market presence. This is a senior-level opportunity to help shape a dynamic, entrepreneurial practice solving complex challenges for leading private equity firms, Fortune 500 defense and aerospace OEMs, and government service contractors.

Requirements

10+ years of total professional experience, including 6+ years in a management consulting firm, investment bank, or a corporate strategy, M&A, or business development/capture role in the defense, aerospace, or national security sector
Demonstrated record of leading client engagements end to end, including scoping, staffing, project management, delivery, and client presentation
Demonstrated record of originating or expanding client relationships, with specific examples of work personally sold or accounts personally grown
Demonstrated ability to build market models and conduct financial projections
Ability to analyze and forecast U.S. government budgets and/or commercial aerospace spending
Ability to develop clear, concise, and persuasive deliverables for strategic decision-making
Excellent presentation skills and client-facing disposition; comfortable engaging C-suite and senior-level stakeholders
Experience managing projects and leading teams in the execution of short-turnaround deliverables
Experience developing and retaining team members

Nice To Haves

MBA or relevant advanced degree
Familiarity with U.S. government budgets and/or commercial aerospace market dynamics
Experience leveraging AI tools in advisory or analytical workflows

Responsibilities

Own client strategy engagements end to end, including scoping, staffing, project planning, delivery, and client presentation
Lead high-impact strategy projects evaluating growth and investment opportunities across U.S. government and commercial aerospace sectors
Provide oversight and quality assurance of data collection, research, and analysis across macroeconomic, policy, financial, industry, and technology trends
Synthesize insights from team workstreams into coherent, client-ready messaging and own the storyline and structure of final deliverables
Review and challenge the team's financial and market models for structure, assumptions, and accuracy
Manage engagement economics — including budget, staffing, realization, and margin — and be accountable to practice leadership for engagement outcomes and quality
Source and shape new client opportunities, lead proposal development, and coordinate pricing with practice leadership
Develop repeatable strategy offerings, methodologies, and intellectual property that scale the practice beyond individual engagements
Author external-facing thought leadership, including market perspectives and published research, that supports practice marketing and business development
Identify cross-sell opportunities and integrate other Aprio service lines into ADGA engagements where they add client value
Serve as a career advisor to Managers and Associates, providing performance feedback and supporting their growth and development
Leverage AI tools to accelerate workstream execution and extend client insights, while maintaining ownership of validation, analytical rigor, and approval of findings

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance on the first day of employment
Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account
401k with Profit Sharing
9+ holidays and discretionary time off structure
Parental Leave – coverage for both primary and secondary caregivers
Tuition Assistance Program and CPA support program with cash incentive upon completion
Discretionary incentive compensation based on firm, group and individual performance
Incentive compensation related to origination of new client sales
Top rated wellness program
Flexible working environment including remote and hybrid options