Network & Communication Systems (NCS) is the largest and fastest-growing business area within GDMS Land & Air Systems. NCS delivers the computing, networking, and communication systems that the U.S. Army and its coalition partners depend on to fight and win. The NCS portfolio sits at the center of the Army’s top modernization priority, and the business is scaling rapidly to meet surging demand across Ground C5ISR, FAA, USAF, and international markets.
We are seeking a Strategy and Business Development Director to partner directly with the NCS Vice President to define the business and technical vision for this growth franchise, lead a team of capture managers driving competitive wins, and lay out the investment strategies and technology roadmaps that will shape NCS for the next decade. This is an opportunity to build, shape, and grow a business that is solving some of the most consequential problems in national defense.
The right candidate will bring strategic vision, competitive intensity, and the ability to inspire a team of business development professionals around a common growth mission. You will be a trusted advisor to executive leadership, a visible presence with senior DoD customers and industry partners, and the driving force behind the NCS long-range strategic plan.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND TASKS:
Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Partner with the NCS Vice President to define and execute the business and technical vision, strategy, and growth priorities for a high-priority business area serving the DoD’s Ground C5ISR market
- Drive growth for the NCS long-range strategic plan: identify market shifts, competitive dynamics, and emerging customer needs — then translate them into actionable strategies that drive measurable growth
- Lay out investment strategies and technology roadmaps in partnership with engineering leadership, ensuring NCS is positioned ahead of customer requirements and competitor offerings
- Brief executive leadership with clear, data-driven recommendations on market opportunities, investment priorities, and strategic partnerships that will shape the future of the business
- Analyze defense budgets, program funding trends, acquisition strategies, and exercise/experiment outcomes to identify early indicators of customer need and market direction
Growth Execution & Capture Leadership
- Lead and develop a team of capture managers responsible for identifying, pursuing, and winning significant new business opportunities across NCS target markets
- Drive the full capture lifecycle — from opportunity identification and shaping through proposal strategy, teaming, and competitive positioning — with a relentless focus on customer intimacy, win rate and growth
- Evaluate and structure new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, alliances, and teaming arrangements that expand business reach and competitive advantage
- Own new business budgets and investment plans; allocate resources strategically to maximize return on business development spend
- Cultivate and sustain senior-level relationships with key government customers, program offices, and industry partners that open doors and build enduring competitive positions
Team Building & Culture
- Foster a culture of motivated, innovative business leaders who are energized by strategy, growth, and creative problem-solving
- Recruit, develop, and retain top-tier business development talent; build a team that customers trust
- Create an environment where capture managers are empowered to take initiative, challenge assumptions, and drive bold pursuits
- Manage all aspects of team leadership including performance evaluations, career development, compensation recommendations, and hiring decisions
Executive Engagement & Influence
- Serve as a senior member of the NCS leadership team, influencing the overall objectives, long-range goals, and strategic direction of the business area
- Conduct compelling business and technical briefings for senior executives, key customers, and strategic partners
- Lead the team that represents NCS at industry conferences, customer engagements, demonstrations, and exercises
- Influence at the most senior levels — with customers, partners, and internal leadership — on matters of strategic significance to the organization
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Proven track record of defining and executing growth strategies that delivered measurable business results in defense or national security markets
- Deep experience leading capture teams and winning competitive pursuits of significant scale ($50M+ opportunities)
- Strong command of the DoD Ground C5ISR market landscape, including Army modernization priorities (tactical networking, assured PNT, MOSA architectures), budget dynamics, and acquisition trends
- Broad market awareness spanning defense budgets, customer priorities, mission gaps, warfighter needs, and competitive positioning
- Extensive knowledge of government contracting, acquisition practices, OTA authorities, and the defense procurement lifecycle
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with senior government officials, flag officers, SES-level customers, and C-suite industry partners
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills — able to distill complex market and technical information into clear strategic recommendations for executive audiences
- Strong collaborative leadership style with the ability to inspire teams, drive accountability, and deliver results under pressure across multiple simultaneous priorities
- Experience developing technology roadmaps and investment strategies in partnership with engineering organizations
- Comfort operating at the intersection of business strategy and technology — able to understand technical differentiators and translate them into competitive advantage
PREFERRED DEGREE TYPES AND EXPERIENCE:
- Has earned a degree in a related field and/or has extensive experience with C5ISR systems, tactical communications, embedded computing, electronic warfare, or related mission system technologies
- Prior military service or direct experience working with Army PEOs (PEO C3T, PEO IEW&S, PEO Soldier) and associated program offices is highly valued
- Experience with rapid acquisition vehicles (OTAs, MTAs, DIU) and non-traditional defense business models
LOCATION:
Preferred location is Scottsdale, AZ. Will also consider remote candidates with regular travel to GDMS and customer sites. Expect approximately 25-40% travel.
