Senior Director, Business Development - Space & Defense

Northstar Earth and Space • McLean, VA

11d

About The Position

NorthStar is seeking an experienced senior Business Development executive to lead the commercialization of advanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) services for U.S. Government customers, with a primary focus on the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. This role is mission-critical for driving NorthStar’s growth in the defense sector, shaping product strategy, and building trusted partnerships across the national security community.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the U.S. space industry, including executive-level leadership in business development and capture management.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience (min 10 years) with satellite systems and services within the US government and military markets
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with SSA and SDA concepts and market drivers
• Proven track record of securing competitive contract awards valued at $50M+ in DoD, Intelligence Community, or National Security Space programs.
• Deep understanding of DoD acquisition processes, federal procurement lifecycle, and government contracting vehicles (FFP, IDIQ, T&M).
• U.S. citizenship with active or previous Top Secret/SCI clearance; DC, VA area resident or willingness to relocate
• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Engineering, Astronomy, Orbit Dynamics, Business, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience leading and mentoring teams of business development and capture professionals in high-security environments.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced certifications in business development or capture management (e.g., Shipley, APMP).
• Established network and excellent reputation within the DoD, Intelligence Community, and National Security Space ecosystem.
• Experience with allied military branches or international defense organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with executives, decision-makers, and industry partners.
• Experience with strategic planning, profit and loss (P&L) responsibility, and investment planning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute commercialization strategies for SSA and SDA, targeting high-value government contracts.
• Lead pipeline growth and capture management for multi-domain operations, with full accountability for new business awards and strategic market penetration.
• Engage DoD and Intelligence Community stakeholders to identify mission requirements, influence acquisition strategies, and optimize product-market fit.
• Direct cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, finance, legal) to develop winning proposals and deliver innovative solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers, end-users, and contracting officers to align solutions with mission needs.
• Represent NorthStar at industry events, government forums, and defense innovation engagements.
• Analyze industry trends, competitor activities, and customer needs to inform strategic planning and pipeline prioritization.
• Champion technology investments and advocate for Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funding to deliver cutting-edge solutions for emerging customer needs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures during the capture process.

Benefits

• NorthStar offers a competitive compensation package, including base salary, performance incentives, comprehensive health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.
• Salary range and benefits are commensurate with experience and market standards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director