Director, Business Development, US Air Force

Empower AI is AI for government. Empower AI gives federal agency leaders the tools to elevate the potential of their workforce with a direct path for meaningful transformation. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Empower AI leverages three decades of experience solving complex challenges in Health, Defense, and Civilian missions. Our proven Empower AI Platform® provides a practical, sustainable path for clients to achieve transformation that is true to who they are, what they do, how they work, with the resources they have. The result is a government workforce that is exponentially more creative and productive. For more information, visit www.Empower.ai.

Empower AI is proud to be recognized as a 2024 Military Friendly Employer by Viqtory, the publisher of G.I. Jobs. This designation reflects the company’s commitment to hiring and supporting active-duty and veteran employees.

The Company:

This is an exciting time at Empower AI. Formerly known as NCI, Inc., our company has been helping our Federal Government customers solve complex mission challenges in the Federal Civilian, Health and Defense environments for nearly 35 years. While building on our heritage, we have also invested and evolved to deliver against tomorrow’s mission needs, including Applied AI – artificial intelligence pragmatically applied against real-world challenges. With new investor ownership and a refreshed growth strategy, we are excited about the future – and about attracting and retaining top-tier talent.

We are continually evolving and building on our six solution areas:

1. Artificial Intelligence
2. Application Development
3. Engineering & Integration
4. Infrastructure Modernization
5. IT Service Management
6. Mission Support

Learn more about our company at www.Empower.ai.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking collaborative, high-energy entrepreneurs to help us expand our presence in the US Air Force. We are looking for entrepreneurial leaders who can not only broaden and deepen our existing footprint, but especially those who relish “white space” and are excited to lead us into new customer situations.

The Director, Business Development (BD) serves as a force multiplier for growth – not only at the “tip of the spear” in identifying, originating and qualifying opportunities, but leading teams through the entire business development lifecycle through award. This highly visible role will be at the center of the design and execution of our strategic account strategies, as well as leading our efforts against corresponding pipelines for a designated set of customers.

We are looking for BD executives with proven track records in winning US Air Force work, with knowledge and relationships in areas such as the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center (AFLMC) among other organizations.

Responsibilities:

• Identify qualify, shape, and win opportunities
• Develop customer relationships and position for opportunities using a consultative business development approach
• Lead customer meetings (e.g., initial discussions, formal presentations, informal conversations)
• Manage a multi-year opportunity pipeline
• Inspire, motivate and lead teams - without direct line authority - to achieve distinctive results
• Work closely with Corporate and Business Unit leadership, Capture Management, Proposal Management, Contracts Management, Pricing and and other colleagues to ensure the development and delivery of winning proposals
• Play a central role in helping to develop account strategies
• Lead internal opportunity problem-solving and gate review discussions
• Develop effective teaming partnership with other firms

Requirements:

• Positive, high-energy, collaborative entrepreneur
• Perseverance and tenacity in leading opportunities through the entire lifecycle
• Experience building relationships/networks and winning contract awards at US Air Force customers
• Strong problem-solving acumen
• Reslient and resourceful: distinctive ability to find ways around, over or through potential barriers
• Ability to lead business development and capture activities
• On designated opportunities, ability to work seamlessly with a dedicated Capture Manager
• Excellent organization and communication (e.g., executive-level presentation) skills, whether in virtual or in-person environments)
• Ability to build trusted relationships externally (e.g,. customer, teaming partners) and internally (e.g., senior and junior colleagues)
• The role is based in Reston, Virginia – the successful candidate must reside within a normal commuting distance of the office.

Education and Experience:

• 10+ years of relevant and successful experience in a Federal system integrator and/or professional services firm environment
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, energetic and collaborative environment
• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation 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 do the following:

• Communicate verbally and respond to verbal communications in person and over the phone
• Communicate clearly and succinctly in writing, primarily utilizing a keyboard
• Engage in intermittent physical activity, including bending, reaching, lifting, filing, and prolonged periods of sitting
• Travel minimally, via car or plane, which requires ability to manage luggage, laptop, and briefing materials (up to 25 pounds)

It is the policy of Empower AI to provide equal opportunity in recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting individuals in all job categories without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected class or category as may be defined by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. In addition, we affirm that all compensation, benefits, company-sponsored training, educational assistance, social, and recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It is our firm intent to support equal employment opportunity and affirmative action in keeping with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.  Empower AI is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.