Business Development Manager

This position is based at the SEI's offices in Pittsburgh, PA. After a year in Pittsburgh, this position would be eligible for relocation to our Arlington, VA office.

What We Do:

The Software Solutions Division (SSD) comprises a large part of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) operated by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Arlington, VA. At SSD our teams engage in ground breaking software research, development, and transition for the US Government.

Position Summary:

Do you love working and collaborating with some of the brightest minds in software engineering research? As the primary SSD Pittsburgh based Business Development Manager for DoW & Federal Agencies, you will be responsible for active identification, qualification and pursuit of new research opportunities within the DoW (focusing on Headquarters) and Intelligence Community (IC) along with other federal government agencies. Through in-depth analysis of acquisition and research needs and building trusted relationships with the acquisition and research community, you will recognize relevant connections to our research, then cultivate the relationships that bring SSD value to the forefront.

Your coordination with SEI technical staff will develop effective approaches to the target customer, leading to long-term, funded relationships. Importantly, you will provide key inputs to SSD leadership to develop our strategic business goals and objectives for the SEI's federal research program.

Do you enjoy working with a professional cadre of program management, contract and legal professionals to ensure your customers are satisfied? Our support and technical teams are here to provide assistance as you lead the customer engagement and pursue future business development for your targeted customers. Likewise, assigned teams of financial and contract professionals are at your disposal as you provide oversight, control and management of customer funding.

Responsibilities:

In this position you will:

• Assist the SSD Director Strategic Initiatives & Program Development as a strategic advisor in developing strategies and market analysis for the DoW Headquarters & IC and other Federal groups as necessary.
• Establish strategic business development goals and objectives focusing principally on the DoW Headquarters & IC as well as other Federal Agencies
• Develop and implement action plans to achieve goals
• Represent SEI products and services at meaningful forums, seminars, technical programs and trade shows
• Participate in technical and professional associations; keep informed about developments in the government, military, and economic, scientific, political, and industrial fields as they apply to SEI products and services
• Coordinate business development action plan implementation with program development teams across the SEI to ensure achievement of business development goals
• Assist the SSD Director Strategic Initiatives & Program Development in working with the SSD Technical Directors in developing Market Strategies and Product Plans that communicate their groups’ technologies, intrinsic knowledge, and core competencies into viable offerings to the Federal Government and industry.

Requirements:

• BS in a technical/engineering discipline or a technically-oriented business degree.
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in business development activities relating to software engineering technologies and research in related areas across the Federal Government (with emphasis on the DoW & IC).
• We value successful business development experience gained in pursuit of large government projects dealing with engineering support, applied research/development or other similar activities.
• Recent experience working closely with the DoW HQ, IC, and Federal Agencies acquisition offices or similar activities is critical to success.
• Willingness to travel to various locations to support the SEI’s overall mission. This includes within the SEI and CMU community, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings on occasion. Average Travel – 5-6 days per month.
• You will be subject to a background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

We are searching for creative, tech savvy, self-starters with:

• Working knowledge of software and systems development and defense acquisition
• Experience leading projects as well as leading medium to large technical teams
• Ability to assess initiatives against programmatic, technical, and operational goals
• Ability to develop business development plans, technical work plans
• Experience with CRM systems to track opportunities through the sales funnel
• Ability to prepare and conduct management and entry-level technical briefings with senior government leaders and technologists
• Ability to engage customers to elicit and distill capability gaps and needs and translate those needs to SEI technology focus areas
• Desire to work with technical staff to establish tailored approaches, goals and schedules
• Ability to recognize and deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive information
• Extraordinary written and oral communication skills
• Strong reasoning and analytical skills; a solid presenter and very capable of communicating with and in front of internal and external customers including audiences from diverse military, Governmental and academic backgrounds
• Ability to work independently but with emphasis on team goals and teamwork
• Ability to combine technical aptitude with a business perspective, be comfortable with understanding technical products and services and able to interact effectively with technical staff at the SEI and in customer organizations.