Vice President Defense Business Development Jobs

Worker Type Regular Job Description AV is seeking a Vice President, Integrated Air & Missile Defense Business GM within the Precision Strike & Defensive Systems (PSDS) segment, reporting to the Senior Vice President, General Manager, Precision Strike & Defensive Systems. The ideal candidate will be a proven business leader with deep experience in Air & Missile Defense markets, customers, and programs, and a track record of delivering growth and strong financial performance. This position will be located in Huntsville, AL. The Vice President, Integrated Air & Missile Defense Business GM will: * Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Integrated Air & Missile Defense business within PSDS, including portfolio strategy, investment priorities, and market positioning.
* Own profit and loss (P&L) accountability for the Integrated Air & Missile Defense portfolio, including revenue growth, margin performance, bookings, and cash generation.
* Develop and execute a multi-year business strategy that aligns with AV's vision of integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber, with particular focus on layered defense and counter-UAS solutions.
* Build and maintain senior-level customer relationships across U.S. and allied Services, Combatant Commands, and key acquisition organizations, ensuring AV is positioned as a trusted partner for integrated air and missile defense solutions.
* Support the capture of new business opportunities, shaping customer requirements, supporting major proposal efforts, and setting competitive pricing strategies in partnership with Growth, business development, capture, and proposal teams.
* Ensure successful execution of programs and contracts across the Integrated Air & Missile Defense portfolio, maintaining cost, schedule, and technical performance in partnership with program management, engineering, operations, and supply chain.
* Drive portfolio rationalization and disciplined capital allocation-deciding where to invest, divest, or partner to optimize growth and profitability across IAMD.
* Collaborate across AV segments (Autonomous Systems; Space, Cyber & Directed Energy) to create integrated, cross-domain solutions that leverage AV's broader portfolio of autonomous systems, precision strike, counter-UAS, and advanced technologies.
* Serve as a key interface with government and legislative stakeholders, supporting Congressional engagements and influencing Program Objective Memorandum (POM) planning activities to align funding with mission needs.
* Operate effectively in a highly matrixed environment, establishing strong relationships with finance, contracting, people & culture, legal, operations, engineering, and marketing & communications to enable disciplined growth and strong execution.
* Champion AV's culture and brand, promoting customer satisfaction, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving cross-segment and cross-sector growth in integrated air and missile defense markets. Minimum Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related discipline, and a minimum of 15-18 years of progressive leadership experience in defense or aerospace, including direct responsibility for P&L in a sizeable business or portfolio.
* Demonstrated success leading a P&L center or business unit, including responsibility for revenue, margin, bookings, and operating expense management.
* Extensive experience with DoD contracting and acquisition processes, including leading proposals, pricing strategies, and negotiations for complex programs.
* Experience managing large, complex programs or portfolios in the Air & Missile Defense, Integrated Air & Missile Defense, or related defense systems markets.
* Proven ability to grow a business through strategic planning, market development, new program capture, and execution excellence.
* Strong leadership record in matrixed organizations, with demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and to build high-performing cross-functional teams.
* Experience supporting Congressional actions and influencing POM planning activities.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience presenting to senior government and industry stakeholders.
* Well organized, with strong multi-tasking and time-management skills and a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality results under demanding timelines.
* Ability to handle sensitive information with the highest degree of integrity and confidentiality.
* Existing, high-value customer relationships within relevant Air & Missile Defense communities (e.g., Service air and missile defense program offices, Joint / COCOM organizations, and key prime contractors).
* Must have active SECRET clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance. * This position will be located in Huntsville, AL. Preferred Qualifications * 20+ years of experience in defense or aerospace, including significant time spent in Air & Missile Defense or closely related mission areas.
* Experience at the Director, Vice President, or equivalent executive level managing a technology or systems portfolio of DoD-sponsored programs.
* Direct experience with integrated air and missile defense architectures, sensors, command and control, and effectors-including counter-UAS, missile defense, or layered defense solutions.
* Experience supporting major capture efforts and developing win strategies for competitive procurements with large, well-funded competitors.
* Familiarity with EVMS and working with resource-loaded Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), particularly for large, complex programs.
* Experience developing, shaping, and leading Congressional actions in support of U.S. Services' integrated air and missile defense needs. Clearance Level Secret The salary range for this role is: $245,500 - $393,000 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills. ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements. Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits . We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us. Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. About AV: AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don't just build defense technology-we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we're not building history, we're building what's next. If you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there's no better place to do it than AV. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.