Federal Market Leader - Defense

About Bodwé Group

Bodwé is the Professional Services Group of Mno-Bmadsen, the investment enterprise and a wholly owned instrumentality of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. We are architects, planners, consultants, designers, engineers, scientists, and federal contractors, committed to growing the economy and legacy of the Pokagon Band and supporting its more than 6,000 citizens. We provide value by integrating expertise across the natural and built environment lifecycle—from pre-development and planning to design, procurement, construction, and operations. By integrating expertise across architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management, we deliver holistic, end-to-end solutions that drive efficiency and deliver distinctive outcomes.

Position Summary

The Federal Market Leader – Defense leads Bodwé’s strategy and growth in the Department of Defense (DoD) market, with responsibility for developing relationships, securing work, and guiding delivery for military and defense clients. This includes engagement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), and Defense Health Agency (DHA), among others. This leader brings credibility in the defense architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) market, fosters teaming relationships, and ensures mission-aligned design and execution. 

The Defense Market Leader works collaboratively with technical and proposal teams to support DoD-specific capture planning, master planning, design, and construction services. The role emphasizes performance, compliance, and long-term positioning within the defense sector. 

Key Defense Agency Experience May Include: 

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
• Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) 
• Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC)
• Defense Health Agency (DHA)
• National Guard Bureau (NGB)
• U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)

This position works in close coordination with the Federal Market Leader–Civilian and the Proposal Development Director to ensure that pursuit strategies, messaging, and project delivery align with Bodwé’s federal strategy and interdisciplinary strengths. 

Accommodation Requests

We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, contact our HR Director (April Hawkins) at 269-927-0144 or [email protected]

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Market Strategy + Growth

• Lead development and execution of a strategic plan to grow the federal market portfolio.
• Guide market segmentation and agency-specific strategies aligned with federal priorities.
• Identify and cultivate new opportunities through federal contracting platforms and outreach.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of contract vehicles and task order backlog.

 Client Development + Engagement

• Serve as senior liaison to key federal clients within your market focus.
• Lead key pursuits, including strategy, teaming, win themes, and interviews.
• Leverage tribal ownership and 8(a) status to shape strategic partnerships and mentor others.

 Project + Pursuit Leadership

• Guide pursuit strategy, teaming, and proposal development in close coordination with the Proposal Development Director.
• Participate in early planning, visioning, and concept development to align with client mission and expectations.
• Support project transitions to delivery teams and remain involved to ensure continuity in client relationships.
• Ensure that projects are scoped, staffed, and managed to meet the financial performance expectations of the firm.

 Market Education + Advocacy

• Educate internal teams about agency culture, mission priorities, and contracting processes.
• Mentor staff involved in federal market strategy, pursuit development, and client service.
• Collaborate with the other Federal Market Leader to ensure consistent and coordinated representation.

 Collaboration + Integration

• Partner with discipline directors and studio leaders to align delivery with federal agency expectations.
• Coordinate with the Proposal Development Director to ensure messaging and strategy align across pursuits.
• Participate in cross-branch initiatives to support integration of market intelligence and delivery performance.

 Reputation + Visibility

• Represent Bodwé at agency briefings, industry events, and professional forums.
• Develop white papers, case studies, and presentations to elevate firm visibility and credibility.
• Build a strong presence within relevant federal networks and client communities.

Qualifications and Experience

Education + Degree

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
• Preferred: Master of Architecture, Engineering, Planning, or Business Administration.

 Experience, Certification, or Licensure

• Minimum 10 years in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) federal markets with a focus on DoD agencies, including 5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in winning, delivering, and growing long-term federal agency relationships. 
• Familiarity with tribal organizations and tribal/federal collaboration strongly preferred. 
• Required: Licensed Architect (Registered Architect (RA)/American Institute of Architects (AIA)) or Licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
• Preferred: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Accredited Professional (LEED AP), Project Management Professional (PMP), or equivalent.
• Must have Real ID or Passport in order to undergo commercial airfare travel.
• Must have valid driver's license.    

 Technical + Professional Skills

• Knowledge of the full federal project lifecycle, from planning through construction closeout.
• Proficiency in federal acquisition tools (e.g., SAM.gov, Deltek, GovWin, GovTribe).
• Strong communication and public presentation skills. 
• Ability to lead across a matrixed organization and influence strategic outcomes.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid or remote position with regular travel to client sites, offices, or conferences.

This position primarily operates in a professional office setting with standard office equipment and a quiet, climate-controlled environment. While in the office, there is no regular exposure to loud noise, hazardous materials, or heavy machinery.

This role also requires periodic travel to project sites, including locations undergoing renovation or active construction. During site visits, the employee may be exposed to non-temperature-controlled environments, construction noise, dust, and other typical conditions found on job sites. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required during these visits, depending on site conditions. While on site visits, an individual in this role will be required to work atypical hours at the request of the client or role demands.

Physical Demands

Sitting/Standing: This is not a sedentary role. This role requires the ability to be on your feet moving around a construction site for most of the day interacting with contractors, contractor representatives, and inspecting the construction work that is being performed.

Walking: This role requires the ability to move about outside in various geographic and building terrains to access a construction site to provide quality assurance services.

Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling: This role requires stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and ladder climbing to inspect all aspects of building construction to foundations, crawlspaces, and roofs.

Using Hands/Fingers: This role constantly operates technological office equipment such as laptop, mouse, keyboard, computer monitors, telephones, and scanners, copiers, and fax machines.

Talking/Hearing: This role requires constant communication with others in the organization to exchange information, review information, and make decisions about information.

Seeing: This role requires the ability to see, view, and distinguish all aspects of construction to ensure quality control.

Carrying/Lifting: This role requires lifting up to 30 lbs to transport technological office equipment, safety equipment, and other needed construction items to and from various workspaces. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Native American Hiring Preference

Our parent company, Mno-Bmadsen, prefers to hire Pokagon citizens who are qualified and suitable for available positions. For purposes of this section, “qualified” means that the applicant meets the technical and experiential needs for employment; and “suitable” means that the candidate appears to be the best fit considering present circumstances and conditions. Targeted preference is in the following order:

• First, to qualified Pokagon Band citizens; and
• Second, to qualified spouses and qualified custodial parents; and
• Third, to other qualified Native Americans; and
• Fourth, to all other qualified applicants

Any determinations as to the applicability of the Pokagon hiring preference are at the discretion of each Company President.

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