Sr Director, Business Development

Sierra Space•Louisville, KY

About The Position

The Sr Director, Business Development provides executive leadership across multiple divisions or enterprise-level business development functions, architecting comprehensive growth strategies that transform the organization's market position and revenue streams. This senior executive role establishes strategic and tactical plans that shape the company's business development approach across multiple market segments, makes critical decisions that directly impact organizational performance, and leads through multiple layers of management. The Sr Director drives enterprise-level partnerships, oversees major strategic pursuits, and serves as a key advisor on market expansion and business growth. This position requires sophisticated strategic thinking, exceptional leadership presence, and the ability to translate complex market dynamics into actionable business development initiatives that deliver substantial and sustainable growth. Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission. We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree).
Typically 18+ years of related experience with significant portion in senior leadership roles.
Proven track record of successfully managing large teams and complex projects at an enterprise level.
In-depth knowledge of industry standards, regulations, and best practices relevant to business development.
Strong financial acumen and budget management skills with demonstrated success in managing significant budgets.
Extensive experience leading and supporting organizational changes.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to influence at executive levels.
Ability to build strategy and implement the steps needed to execute strategy over multiple business areas/functions.
Strategic thinking capabilities with demonstrated success in enterprise-level business growth initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field.
Certifications: Advanced business development, leadership, or executive management certifications.
Experience directing business development activities across multiple divisions or regions.
Proven track record of achieving significant revenue growth through strategic business development initiatives at an enterprise level.
Experience developing and implementing go-to-market strategies for new products or services in multiple markets.
Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated success in closing high-value, complex deals.
Experience building and leading multiple high-performing business development teams.
Extensive network of industry contacts and relationships at executive levels.
Experience with mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, or joint ventures.
International business development experience.

Responsibilities

Build out enterprise-level business development strategy; identify and implement the steps needed to execute on the strategy across multiple business areas, market segments, and global regions.
Be responsible for one or more components of a division, program, or function at a group level or a key enterprise focus area within business development, including strategic accounts, market segments, or capability portfolios.
Establish strategic and tactical business development plans for functions/areas owned based on corporate strategy, market analysis, and competitive intelligence.
Make strategic decisions about pursuit strategies, resource allocation, and market positioning that are critical to business development performance with likely short-term and long-term impact.
Provide direction and lead activities through subordinate managers who have overall responsibility for the successful operation of assigned business development areas and major client relationships.
Be accountable for meeting financial plans, goals, and schedules for business development activities with a consistent focus on value creation, win rates, and return on business development investment.
Embody company culture and great leadership; serve as a catalyst for transformational change in business development approaches, systems, and organizational capabilities.
Drive enterprise-level business development initiatives that align with corporate strategic objectives and position the organization for sustainable competitive advantage.
Establish and oversee strategic partnerships and alliances that create significant business opportunities and market access across multiple segments.
Direct the development of innovative business models and approaches to capture new markets or expand existing ones, including adjacent market strategies and capability development.
Lead cross-functional teams to identify and pursue major business opportunities that require enterprise-wide coordination and executive sponsorship.
Interact with internal and external executive-level management on strategic matters related to business growth, market positioning, and competitive strategy.
Mentor and develop senior business development leaders to ensure organizational capability and succession planning for critical business development roles.
Uphold and model company values; hold others accountable to values in all business development activities, strategic decisions, and client interactions.