Sr. Director, Business Development (DoS/DHS/Fed Civ)

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 Sr. Director, Business Development (DoS/DHS/Fed Civ) will drive growth across the Department of State (DoS) and key civilian agencies, including USCIS and others, by identifying, qualifying, and capturing new business opportunities that align with corporate strategic objectives. The BDE will cultivate strong customer and partner relationships, proactively engage with industry stakeholders, and leverage innovative approaches to position the company for long-term success. This role requires both strategic vision and tactical execution to build a sustainable pipeline, expand our presence within targeted accounts, and achieve measurable growth.

Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Department of State leaders, contracting officers, and program offices, as well as with other civilian agencies such as USCIS, DHS, and related organizations.
• Serve as the primary account lead for designated civilian portfolios, developing account plans and long-term engagement strategies.
• Identify, qualify, and shape new opportunities valued at $50M+, ensuring alignment with company strengths in IT modernization, cybersecurity, AI/ML, and mission support.
• Partner with capture managers, solution architects, and proposal teams to ensure compelling and differentiated proposals.
• Foster strategic teaming relationships with large primes, small businesses, and technology partners to enhance competitiveness.
• Maintain accurate opportunity pipeline records (CRM), ensuring disciplined forecasting and reporting to leadership.
• Monitor and assess competitive landscape, acquisition trends, and customer priorities across civilian agencies to anticipate emerging opportunities.
• Represent the company at Department of State and civilian-focused industry events, conferences, and forums to expand visibility and strengthen brand recognition.
• Contribute to strategic growth initiatives, including corporate campaigns for Department of State, USCIS, and other high-priority civilian accounts.
• Drive collaboration across internal delivery, technical, and finance teams to shape customer-focused solutions that meet mission requirements.
• Provide timely and insightful briefings to executive leadership on account strategy, pipeline health, and win probability.
• Ensure adherence to corporate growth processes, including gate reviews, opportunity qualification standards, and pricing strategies.
• Think creatively and apply innovative approaches to overcome competitive challenges and position the company for success.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated success leading business development activities and winning contracts within Department of State or comparable civilian agencies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field required.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Policy, or related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of business development or capture experience within federal civilian markets; at least 5 years focused on Department of State, USCIS, or comparable agencies.
• Demonstrated record of leading and winning large-scale ($50M+) opportunities.
• Strong knowledge of the federal acquisition lifecycle, procurement processes, and contract vehicles commonly used by DoS and DHS.
• Proven ability to develop and sustain long-term relationships with senior government officials, contracting staff, and industry partners.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with a reputation for integrity and trust-building.
• Experience managing a robust pipeline and delivering accurate forecasts against growth targets.
• Proficiency with CRM and pipeline management tools (e.g., ServiceNow).
• Ability to work effectively across capture, solution, technical, and proposal teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with creative problem-solving skills and a track record of “outside-the-box” pursuit strategies.

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)

All hiring and promotion decisions at Empower AI are based on merit to bring the best talent available to contribute to our firm’s overall success. It is the policy of Empower AI not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. Empower AI is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.