Director, Government Pricing and Proposals

This opportunity is located within our Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company business, a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions.Click here to learn more.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Director, Govt Pricing and Proposals is responsible for the enterprise leadership of EBAD's proposal development, government pricing, cost estimating, and government accounting functions. This role owns the end-to-end proposal value stream, ensuring the company consistently delivers compliant, competitive, and compelling proposals that support profitable growth.

Reporting to the VP Finance, the Director serves as the enterprise leader for proposal development, Basis of Estimate (BOE) quality, forward pricing, indirect rates, government accounting, FAR/DFARS compliance, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (TINA), DCAA/DCMA interface, and the company's long-term Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) readiness strategy.

The role partners closely with Business Development, Contracts, Engineering, Program Management, Operations, and Finance to improve proposal quality, pricing discipline, audit readiness, and proposal cycle time while building a scalable organization capable of supporting EBAD's continued growth.

This is a player-coach leadership role responsible for building organizational capability, developing future site-level leaders, and implementing an operating system that drives sustainable performance across proposal development, pricing, and government compliance.

People Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing organization across Proposal Development, Government Accounting, and Pricing.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain top talent while building a strong succession pipeline.
• Establish clear performance expectations, coaching cadence, and development plans for all team members.
• Develop site-level proposal and pricing leaders in Connecticut and California to create a scalable organizational structure.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and continuous improvement consistent with EBAD's People Leader and EBOS expectations.

Continuous Improvement (EBOS)

• Lead the organization using EBOS principles and drive a culture of continuous improvement.
• Establish standard work, visual management, and operating cadence across proposal development, pricing, and government accounting.
• Apply disciplined problem solving using D.R.I.V.E., SAGS, and 80/20 prioritization.
• Lead Kaizen activities focused on the biggest problems of the organization. 
• Develop KPIs that measure the performance of the organization to allow for problem solving

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Development Leadership

• Lead the enterprise Proposal Development organization across all business locations.
• Own the proposal development value stream from opportunity transition through proposal submission
• Establish standard work for proposal planning, BOE development, management reviews, and proposal submission.
• Improve proposal quality, proposal cycle time, and on-time delivery performance.
• Develop proposal coordination capabilities and standard methodologies across the business.

Proposal Quality & BOE Excellence

• Establish enterprise standards for Basis of Estimate (BOE) development and review.
• Improve the consistency, supportability, and defensibility of cost estimates.
• Ensure proposal assumptions are supported by engineering estimates, supplier quotations, historical actuals, and financial analysis.
• Drive continuous improvement in proposal quality while reducing rework and proposal development cycle time.

Government Pricing & Cost Estimating

• Own the company's government pricing strategy and pricing governance.
• Lead development of Forward Pricing Rate Proposals (FPRs), indirect rate strategies (internal and external overhead rates), cost estimating methodologies, and pricing models.
• Ensure pricing rate strategies appropriately balance, compliance, risk, and profitability.
• Partner with Business Development and Program Management during the forecast and proposal strategy process
• Support customer negotiations involving pricing, rates, and financial strategy.
• Improve estimating tools, templates, and pricing processes to strengthen consistency and proposal quality.

Government Accounting & Compliance

• Serve as the enterprise owner for government accounting compliance, including FAR, DFARS, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (TINA), and future Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) readiness.
• Develop and maintain government accounting policies, pricing governance, proposal compliance gates, and audit-ready documentation.
• Lead the company's relationship with DCAA and DCMA on pricing, estimating, indirect rates, accounting practices, and audit activities.
• Monitor changes in government acquisition regulations and ensure timely implementation across the business.
• Develop and execute the company's long-term CAS readiness roadmap.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace & defense or government contracting.
• Demonstrated leadership in proposal development, government pricing, cost estimating, government accounting, or government compliance.
• Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (TINA), indirect rates, and DCAA/DCMA requirements.
• Experience leading complex proposal efforts and developing pricing strategies for government contracts.
• .  Experience building, leading, and developing teams, including direct people leadership and cross-functional proposal leadership
• Strong executive communication and influencing skills.

Qualifications Preferred

• CPA, CMA, MBA, APMP, or equivalent advanced professional credential.
• Working knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Disclosure Statements, and accounting practice changes.
• Experience developing Forward Pricing Rate Proposals (FPRs) and indirect rate strategies.
• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions within the aerospace and defense industry.
• Experience implementing ERP, estimating, pricing, or government business systems.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated wage range for this position is $200,000– $235,000 per year. The salary range represents the range EBAD has established in good faith for this position and may vary based on qualifications, experience, education, skills, internal equity, and business needs. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates, with details determined based on individual circumstances 

EBAD offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement benefits; paid time off and holidays; life and disability insurance; employee assistance and wellness resources; and incentive compensation eligibility, subject to applicable plan terms and conditions. Benefit eligibility may vary based on position, work location, employment status, and applicable plan provisions.

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.