Vice President of Business Development - Army/SOCOM

Job Description & Responsibilities

Persistent Systems is seeking a Vice President, Army/SOCOM, to lead business growth, sales execution, and capture activities across U.S. Army and U.S. Special Operations Command markets. This leader owns annual bookings, market strategy, account development, forecasting, and the performance of assigned sales and business development personnel. The VP develops differentiated customer strategies, builds executive-level relationships, and works across company functions to convert mission requirements into sustainable business growth. 

Position Responsibilities 

• Own the Army/SOCOM market strategy, annual bookings commitments, strategic accounts, and long-term opportunity development; identify performance gaps and execute recovery plans
• Lead and develop assigned sales and business development personnel, establishing individual objectives, coaching, performance accountability, and talent development
• Develop distinct Army and USSOCOM approaches reflecting each market’s missions, acquisition organizations, funding, requirements, and modernization priorities
• Build relationships with senior operational, requirements, and acquisition stakeholders, government program leaders, defense primes, and integration partners
• Own credible bookings forecast based on customer funding, acquisition timing, competitive position, probability of award, realistic in-year bookings, and execution risk
• Maintain actionable plans to address bookings shortfalls, procurement delays, and changes in competitive position; communicate forecast assumptions and risks
• Lead opportunity qualification, capture strategy, pursuit prioritization, and bid/no-bid recommendations; direct resources within established authorities and recommend discontinuation of pursuits that do not meet strategic or business objectives
• Coordinate capture plans, proposals, win strategies, customer engagements, and negotiations in collaboration with engineering, contracts, finance, and program teams. 
• Exercise disciplined commercial judgment regarding pricing, discounts, contract terms, and opportunity value within established approval authorities
• Translate operational needs into differentiated customer value for resilient tactical communications, mobile ad hoc networking (MANET), IP networking, and integrated command and control
• Develop business through exercises, experimentation, demonstrations, programs of record, rapid capability efforts, and follow-on opportunities
• Align customer engagement and contract award transitions with internal stakeholders to support successful execution and future account growth

Job Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, acquisition, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience
• 10+ years of progressive defense industry sales, business development, or capture experience, with demonstrated success growing customer accounts, securing new business, and achieving measurable bookings or contract award results
• Substantive experience in the U.S. Army and/or USSOCOM market, including customer engagement and defense acquisition processes
• Demonstrated experience leading sales or business development personnel, setting objectives, developing talent, and achieving results through teams
• Proven ability to lead strategic pursuits, develop senior customer relationships, and present credibly to government and industry executives
• Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and government acquisition and funding processes
• Ability to connect tactical communications, RF/IP networking, or related mission systems to operational requirements and customer outcomes
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, subject to position requirements
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience, including leadership of a defense sales portfolio or vertical with annual bookings accountability
• Experience across both Army and USSOCOM, including operational, requirements, and acquisition stakeholder relationships
• Familiarity with the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, Major Capability Acquisition, Middle Tier of Acquisition, Software Acquisition, Other Transaction authorities, and commercial acquisition approaches
• Prior DAWIA certification, including applicable Back-to-Basics certifications, or relevant Defense Acquisition University (DAU) credentials and training
• Knowledge of tactical MANET networking, unmanned systems, resilient backhaul, integrated command-and-control systems, and defense system integration 
• Graduate degree in a relevant field or comparable military, civilian acquisition, or defense industry leadership experience

The base pay for this role can vary from $200,000 to $240,000 a year based on individual qualifications. Eligible for sales incentive compensation plan. Persistent Systems, LLC offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off (sick time and vacation time); flexible spending accounts; 401(k) plan with company match; fitness membership reimbursement; tuition assistance; mental health benefits; and pet discounts. We will accept applications on a rolling basis until the role is filled.

Company Overview

Persistent Systems, LLC, a leader in defense technology, has been engineering secure Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) solutions since 2007, enabling joint forces and multinational coalitions to communicate, collaborate, and achieve mission success. Persistent created the Wave Relay® Ecosystem, a unified data network for unmanned systems, sensors, and software, empowering warfighters to accomplish tactical objectives across the operational area.  Built on the company’s Wave Relay MANET and Cloud Relay™ technologies, this ecosystem delivers a global data fabric for military, first responders, and commercial users. Persistent has offices in New York City, Colorado, North Carolina, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.