Now Hiring - Cherokee Federal - Business Development Manager Army IT in McLean, VA

Full description of the position

The Business Development Account Executive (Army C4ISR, Cyber & IT and Defense IT) serves as a senior growth leader responsible for shaping, capturing, and expanding large-scale Department of Defense and U.S. Army opportunities across enterprise IT, C4ISR, cyber, digital modernization, and mission support portfolios. This role requires deep operational credibility with Army and DoD stakeholders , the ability to translate mission needs into executable capture strategies and demonstrated success operating across the full BD lifecycle --from early shaping and customer engagement through proposal development, award, and account expansion. The Account Executive will operate as a trusted peer to senior government leaders (CIO/G-6, NETCOM, PEOs, DISA, AFC, DHA) and as a strategic integrator internally , aligning operations, solution architects, capture managers, and executive leadership to deliver sustained growth. Compensation & Benefits * Compensation commensurate with experience and performance * Full-time benefits including: * Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, LTD, STD * 401(k) match * Additional benefits as provided by Cherokee Federal * Core Responsibilities Strategic Business Development & Growth Leadership * Establish, implement, and execute account-centric growth strategies aligned with Army and Defense priorities. * Shape opportunities pre-RFP through mission understanding, requirements influence, and solution differentiation. * Lead pipeline development, qualification, and prioritization across competitive, direct award, and small-business pathways. * Drive growth across enterprise IT, cyber, cloud, data, analytics, automation, C4ISR, and modernization programs. Customer Engagement & Mission Alignment * Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior government decision-makers, including: * Army CIO/G-6, NETCOM, PEO EIS, DISA, Army Futures Command, TRADOC, and Combatant Commands. * Engage customers as a mission partner , not a transactional seller, demonstrating operational fluency and credibility. * Represent Cherokee Federal in executive-level briefings, strategic sessions, and capability discussions. Capture & Proposal Execution * Lead or support large, complex captures (IDIQs, task orders, GWACs, 8(a), and full & open). * Develop win strategies, teaming approaches, and solution architectures aligned to customer priorities. * Partner with capture managers and proposal teams across Shipley BD lifecycle phases through orals. * Ensure captures are financially sound , executable, and aligned with corporate risk posture. Contracting Strategy & Vehicles * Leverage deep understanding of FAR/DFARS , Army contracting norms, and acquisition pathways. * Utilize tribal, 8(a), and small-business strategies appropriately to accelerate awards. * Shape pursuits across IDIQs, GWACs, BPAs, and task-order driven vehicles. Internal Leadership & Governance * Serve as a senior integrator across: * Operations * Capture * Finance * Contracts * Solution Architecture * Brief executive leadership on pipeline health, capture posture, risks, and forecast accuracy. * Document all BD activities, customer engagements, and pipeline data in Salesforce. * Required Experience & Qualifications Experience * 15+ years of progressive experience in federal government business development , with a strong emphasis on Army and Defense IT markets. * Demonstrated success capturing and growing $100M+ portfolios , including large IDIQs and enterprise programs. * Proven ability to operate effectively in complex, matrixed organizations with senior government and industry leaders. * Deep familiarity with Army Signal, C4ISR, cyber, enterprise IT, and modernization ecosystems. * Experience working with or within tribal, 8(a), or small-business contracting environments highly desired. Leadership & Credibility * Background demonstrating operational leadership , mission execution, or senior advisory roles within DoD or equivalent environments. * Ability to translate operational requirements into acquisition-ready solutions. * Recognized as a trusted advisor by government stakeholders. Education * Bachelor's degree required (Business, Engineering, IT, or related field). * Advanced degree or professional military education strongly preferred. Tools & Methods * Expertise with the Shipley Business Development Lifecycle. * Proficiency with Salesforce, Microsoft Office, Teams , and executive briefing tools. * Strong financial acumen, including capture economics, pricing strategy, and risk assessment. Security & Travel * U.S. Citizenship required. * Active or prior Top Secret clearance strongly preferred. * Ability to travel up to 50% , including OCONUS as required. * Key Competencies * Army & DoD Market Intelligence * Enterprise IT & C4ISR Growth Strategy * Capture & Win Strategy Execution * Executive-Level Customer Engagement * Contracting & Acquisition Strategy * Financial & Pipeline Discipline * Integrity, Judgment, and Mission Focus * Influence-Based Leadership CherokeeFederal #LI #LI-WD1 Company Overview Cherokee Federal is the federal contracting arm of Cherokee Nation Businesses , supporting more than 60 federal customers across defense, civilian, and intelligence markets. As a tribally owned enterprise, Cherokee Federal delivers mission-critical solutions with purpose, integrity, and long-term stewardship. Cherokee Federal is a military-friendly employer. Veterans and transitioning service members are strongly encouraged to apply.