Rise foundation director of business development & strategic growth

Description Summary:

Provides executive leadership for strategic growth, federal customer engagement, and business development while aligning external opportunities with Alabama A&M University research capabilities.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a multi-year federal growth strategy.
• Build executive relationships with DoD, NASA, DOE, DHS, FBI, MDA, and other federal customers.
• Develop strategic partnerships with prime contractors, small businesses, national laboratories, and universities.
• Align customer needs with Alabama A&M faculty expertise and research centers.
• Lead pipeline management, CRM governance, bid/no-bid reviews, forecasting, and executive reporting.
• Supervise Capture Managers and support opportunity shaping 12–24 months before solicitation.
• Represent RISE at conferences, industry days, and customer engagements.
• Support commercialization, workforce development, and technology transition.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Position Requirements (including certifications, licenses, etc.):

• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred.
• 10+ years of federal business development or related leadership experience.
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, OTAs, BAAs, SBIR/STTR, CRADAs, and federal acquisition.
• Existing federal customer and industry relationships.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with university-affiliated research organizations.
• Experience leading captures exceeding $50M.
• Current Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• Qualified pipeline meeting annual strategic targets.
• Growth in awards, partnerships, and sponsored research.
• Improved win rates and customer engagement.
• Expansion of faculty participation in externally funded research.