ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Business Development Jobs in Reston, VA

Merlin

Director, Business Development

Washington, DC · On-site

Minimum 30% travel Qualifications * 8-10+ years of experience in business development or government ... direct your inquiries to: people@merlinlabs.com Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes ...

New

Equinix

Director, Business Development

Ashburn, VA · On-site

We are looking for a Director of Business Development to lead our Network & Content Provider team, cultivating an ecosystem that will drive success for the business now and into the future. This role ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsBusiness Development JobsDirector Business Development JobsDirector Business Development Jobs in Reston, VA

Director Business Development information

See Reston, VA salary details

$52K

$131.8K

$220.6K

How much do director business development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for director business development in Reston, VA is $131,750.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,300.00 and $157,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What would a director of business development do?

A director of business development is responsible for identifying growth opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and expanding the company's market presence. They develop and execute sales strategies, oversee client relationships, and often collaborate with marketing and product teams to achieve revenue goals.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Business Development when expanding into new markets?

A Director of Business Development often encounters challenges such as understanding and adapting to local market dynamics, building relationships with key stakeholders, and navigating regulatory requirements. They must also coordinate cross-functional teams to tailor products or services to new customer needs and differentiate the company from local competitors. Success in this role relies on strategic planning, effective communication, and strong problem-solving skills to overcome these hurdles and drive sustainable growth.

Is BDM higher than sales manager?

A Business Development Manager (BDM) typically holds a higher strategic role focused on growth and new opportunities, often reporting to senior leadership, while a Sales Manager oversees sales teams and targets. In many organizations, BDMs have broader responsibilities and may have higher seniority, but the specific hierarchy can vary by company. Both roles require strong communication and negotiation skills, with BDMs often involved in long-term planning and relationship building.

What is the difference between Director Business Development vs Business Development Manager?

AspectDirector Business DevelopmentBusiness Development Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees strategic growth, leads teams, and develops high-level partnershipsExecutes sales strategies, manages client relationships, and supports growth initiatives
Required CredentialsBachelor’s degree, often MBA, extensive experience in sales or marketingBachelor’s degree, experience in sales or marketing roles
Work EnvironmentSenior leadership, cross-departmental collaboration, strategic planningSales teams, client-facing roles, operational support

The main difference between a Director Business Development and a Business Development Manager lies in scope and seniority. The director focuses on strategic planning and high-level partnerships, while the manager handles day-to-day sales activities and client relationships. Both roles require relevant experience and similar educational backgrounds, but the director typically has more leadership responsibilities and a broader strategic focus.

How much does a director of business development make in the US?

A director of business development in the US typically earns between $100,000 and $180,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses and profit sharing. Salaries vary based on industry, company size, experience, and location, with higher pay generally found in larger firms and metropolitan areas.

What Does a Business Development Director Do?

Business Development Directors help plan and direct the sales of services or products to customers. They also are responsible for helping to identify and develop new business opportunities, paying special attention to key prospective and existing client relationships. This may involve helping to establish sales territories, staff goals or quotas, and sales rep training. It could also include helping to coordinate sales distribution and support sales staff. Business Development Directors also develop and strengthen internal and external relationships, building cross-functional internal teams to support company performance and growth in existing and prospective markets. Finally, Business Development Directors work to build and maintain relationships and brand recognition in the respective industry, including conducting webinars and presentations.

Is being a BDM a stressful job?

Business Development Managers (BDMs) often face stress due to targets, client negotiations, and managing multiple priorities. The role requires strong communication, strategic thinking, and resilience, which can contribute to a high-pressure environment, especially when meeting sales goals or deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Business Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Business Development, you need strong strategic planning, sales acumen, and leadership skills, typically backed by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with CRM platforms (like Salesforce), market analysis tools, and relevant certifications (such as Certified Business Development Expert) is highly valuable. Exceptional negotiation, relationship-building, and communication abilities distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for driving revenue growth, forging strategic partnerships, and achieving organizational goals in a competitive marketplace.

What does a Director of Business Development do?

A Director of Business Development is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and developing plans to drive the company's growth. They analyze market trends, negotiate deals, and collaborate with other departments to align business strategies with company goals. Their role is both strategic and relationship-focused, aiming to expand the company's market presence and increase revenue. They often lead a team and report to executive leadership on progress and results.
More about Director Business Development jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Business Development jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Business Development jobs in Reston, VA are:
What job categories do people searching Director Business Development jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Director Business Development jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Director Business Development jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Director Business Development job openings:
Director Business Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Business Development job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $131,750 per year, or $63.3 per hour.
Director, Business Development

Director, Business Development

Merlin

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About Merlin

Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges.

About you

You are an accomplished, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves, innovative and technical expert capable of developing new business at aviation, autonomy or crew workload reduction technologies. You can collaborate, lead and follow in partnership with other key functional partners including product development, engineering, program management, contracts, and others to build business pipelines and strategic relationships.

You are comfortable operating as a peer to senior military and commercial leaders while also acting as a force multiplier for the General Manager, Mobility and SOF. You translate customer needs into program execution. You are highly collaborative, data‑driven, and focused on driving engagement and growth for the organization.

Responsibilities
  • Develop, execute a detailed engagement and growth strategy for Merlin Labs to capture government business in the Mobility and SOF pipeline
  • Build and maintain senior‑level relationships across U.S. government agencies, including defense, aviation, and related stakeholders
  • Connect current and be able to influence future needs/requirements for Mobility and SOF customers with Merlin’s products, programs, technologies and capabilities
  • Provide quarterly updates/reviews to Merlin Labs senior leadership
  • Drive early processes for new pursuits by collaborating with internal and external customers on strategic planning, including traditional and non-traditional acquisition pathways
  • Build compelling proposals to win government business
  • Accurately determine budgets and procurement intentions to set realistic Price to Win targets
  • Achieve a set KPI’s to expand and convert Pipeline to align with internal priorities
  • Minimum 30% travel
Qualifications
  • 8–10+ years of experience in business development or government relations, preferably with customer-facing experience
  • Strong understanding of U.S. government structure, procurement processes and funding mechanisms
  • Experience engaging with DoD, FAA, DHS or related agencies
  • Proven ability to build relationships that lead to programmatic outcomes and revenue generation
  • Strong understanding of mission-driven technologies, ideally in aerospace, aviation or defense
  • Strong experience writing proposals that win government business
  • Experience operating in complex, regulated environments
  • Exceptional communicator: comfortable presenting to executives, leading live demos, and authoring polished written materials. Ability to influence senior leaders internally and externally
  • Demonstrated experience with Salesforce, including ownership of pipeline, forecasting, and reporting
Nice to Have
  • Experience with autonomous systems, aviation, or advanced air mobility
  • Familiarity with non-traditional acquisition pathways
  • Background in military service, government leadership, or senior advisory roles – experience working in or with Air Mobility Command or Special Operations Command a plus
  • Experience working in or with venture-backed or high-growth technology companies

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top‑notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.

Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks.

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: people@merlinlabs.com

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply