Sr. Account Manager
Discover your career's true potential at Advanced Programs Inc. (API), leaders in national security solutions since 1969! Join our dynamic, close-knit team, where innovation meets impact. Our agile, flexible work environment not only drives professional growth but also nurtures personal development. At API, you're not just an employee; you're part of a legacy where impactful cions thrive in a vibrant, supportive setting. Elevate your career and experience the power of a small, collaborative team with big opportunities!
Embark on a mission with API โ where innovation meets impact! Join us as we revolutionize national security, responding swiftly to customer needs, and forging ahead with cutting-edge solutions. At API, we don't just meet expectations; we exceed them, creating a legacy of success in the ever-evolving landscape of intelligence, defense, and foreign affairs. This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary!
Position Summary
The Senior Account Manager serves as the primary customer lead for assigned U.S. defense and intelligence accounts. This role is responsible for owning customer relationships, driving revenue growth, identifying new opportunities, and ensuring alignment between customer requirements and APIโs technical teams. The position requires someone who can operate independently, manage complex customer needs, and represent API in a senior, customerโfacing capacity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
โข Owns and manages key customer relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for assigned accounts.
โข Develops and executes account plans focused on growth, customer retention, and longโterm opportunity development.
โข Engages directly with customers to understand mission requirements, technical challenges, and program priorities.
โข Leads the full sales lifecycle including qualification, pipeline management, capture efforts, and proposal coordination with internal teams.
โข Works crossโfunctionally with engineering, program management, operations, and leadership to ensure delivery expectations, documentation requirements, and compliance obligations are met.
โข Oversees pricing, delivery commitments, and contract alignment by coordinating with the appropriate API personnel.
โข Provides accurate forecasting of bookings and expected customer activity.
โข Manages customer action items and ensures timely followโup across internal teams.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelorโs degree or equivalent experience; 7โ10 years of account management, business development, or customer engagement experience in defense, intelligence, or government contracting environments. Prior experience managing multimillionโdollar accounts or programs is strongly preferred.
Language Skills
Ability to interpret government regulations, technical documents, and contractual requirements. Ability to produce clear customer communications, proposals, and presentations. Ability to communicate effectively with customers, partners, and internal leadership.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to work with pricing models, discounts, financial projections, and other quantitative elements tied to customer proposals and forecasts.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve complex problems, interpret customer requirements, and work across multiple technical and operational domains. Ability to manage competing priorities and address issues with limited standardization.
Computer Skills
Proficiency with CRM tools, pipeline tracking, and Microsoft Office. Ability to understand and communicate basic technical concepts related to hardware and systems.
Other Skills and Abilities
Strong communication and relationshipโbuilding skills. Ability to operate independently while ensuring crossโfunctional alignment.
Other Qualifications
Familiarity with FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and government procurement processes preferred. Strong customer presence and problemโsolving skills.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid driverโs license. U.S. Citizenship is required due to government contract requirements. Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance may be required.
Travel Requirements
This role requires both domestic and international travel, up to 25%. Travel will be driven by customer meetings, program reviews, onโsite support needs, and coordination with partners. Candidates should be able to travel independently and represent API effectively in customerโfacing environments.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Ignite your future with us and experience an unparalleled benefits package! Enjoy 401(k) with matching, where your future is our priority. Revel in affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance that won't break the bank. Our employee assistance program, exclusive discounts, flexible spending accounts, and company paid disability and life insurances add to the appeal. Take advantage of our generous paid time off while also investing in your growth with professional development support and tuition reimbursement. Join us and thrive with benefits that go beyond the ordinary!
API is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
The salary ranges below represent a general guideline; however, API considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
The compensation package for this position will consist of a competitive base salary plus commission, with total on-target earnings (OTE) ranging from $175,000 to $300,000 annually. The base salary range is $110,000 to $160,000, with uncapped commission tied to performance. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.