Principal, Business Development Operations & Strategy, Divergent Technologies

• This role requires exceptional business judgment, deep understanding of the defense acquisition ecosystem, and the ability to influence senior leaders while operating effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, capture management, business operations, corporate strategy, or commercial leadership within the aerospace and defense industry
• Demonstrated success developing business development strategy, commercial operations, or capture processes supporting complex defense pursuits
• Deep understanding of the U.S. Department of Defense acquisition lifecycle, PPBE process, major contract vehicles, and defense budgeting
• Experience supporting customer engagements with the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, defense primes, or major OEMs
• Proven ability to influence executive leadership through data-driven recommendations and strategic analysis
• Exceptional written, verbal, and executive presentation skills
• Experience with Salesforce, GovWin IQ, Deltek, or comparable business development and CRM platforms
• U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance

Desirable

• Divergent is seeking a Principal, Business Development Operations & Strategy to drive the strategic planning, operational excellence, and execution infrastructure that enables the company's Aerospace & Defense business development organization to scale. This role serves as a strategic partner to Business Development leadership, establishing the operating mechanisms, market insights, and analytical frameworks that improve pursuit execution, investment decisions, and long-term growth
• Working across Business Development, Capture, Proposals, Engineering, Finance, Contracts, and Program Management, the Principal will lead high-impact initiatives that strengthen pipeline management, improve organizational effectiveness, and enhance the company's competitive position across the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, and defense prime contractors
• Partner with Business Development leadership to develop and execute the company's long-term Aerospace & Defense growth strategy
• Analyze defense priorities, customer demand signals, acquisition strategies, and competitive dynamics to identify new markets, programs, and partnership opportunities
• Translate National Defense Strategy priorities, DoD budget trends, and customer modernization initiatives into actionable business development priorities
• Develop strategic recommendations that inform executive decision-making, investment planning, and resource allocation
• Own the operating framework supporting the Aerospace & Defense business development organization, including pipeline governance, business rhythms, reporting, and performance metrics
• Establish scalable processes supporting opportunity qualification, pursuit management, capture planning, and executive reviews
• Develop executive dashboards and performance metrics that provide visibility into pipeline health, forecast accuracy, pursuit effectiveness, and organizational performance
• Drive continuous improvement across business development processes, tools, and operating mechanisms
• Lead market assessments, competitive analyses, and customer intelligence to strengthen strategic positioning across priority accounts and programs
• Monitor competitor activity, teaming strategies, contract vehicles, and acquisition trends across the defense industrial base
• Identify emerging opportunities across DoD, allied governments, and prime contractor ecosystems
• Develop executive-level market insights that improve pursuit prioritization and business strategy
• Partner closely with Capture, Proposal, Engineering, Finance, Contracts, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams to align technical, commercial, and financial strategies across major pursuits
• Support pursuit strategy through win themes, customer engagement planning, competitive positioning, and pricing strategy
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve organizational alignment, decision-making, and execution across the business development lifecycle
• Influence stakeholders across multiple functions without direct authority while driving accountability and execution
• Develop executive briefings, customer presentations, strategic planning materials, and business reviews for senior leadership
• Represent the company alongside Business Development leadership during customer engagements, industry conferences, and strategic meetings
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on pipeline performance, market dynamics, competitive positioning, and strategic initiatives
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Business Development leadership on operational priorities and organizational effectiveness
• Success Metrics
• Increased pipeline quality, forecasting accuracy, and pursuit discipline
• Improved business development operating cadence and executive decision-making
• Measurable improvements in pipeline governance, CRM integrity, and organizational reporting
• Successful execution of strategic initiatives supporting long-term growth
• Strong cross-functional collaboration across commercial and technical organizations