Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is currently seeking a Senior Manager of Business Development 3 to join our Strategic Customer Engagement team within the Business Development and Capture Excellence organization. In this highly visible role, the manager reports to and supports the US Air Force Account Manager, serving as the primary interface with the US Air Force customer and across NGMS divisions to coordinate enterprise engagement and execution. This results-driven, win-focused leader helps set and execute an “up and out” strategic agenda that seamlessly integrates NGMS programs, product lines, and capture activities, while relentlessly generating leads and building a high-value, sector-aligned pipeline. As a trusted advisor to executive leadership, the manager prepares and orchestrates decisive, high-impact executive engagement and maintains a strong customer-facing presence, positioning NGMS as the preferred partner for the US Air Force and broader domestic and international defense customers.
The selected candidate must be local to one of these NG locations and has the option to hybrid telework: Linthicum, MD, Newport News, VA, Beavercreek, OH, McLean, VA, or Falls Church, VA. This position will report to the Director, US Air Force Account Manager, and support engagements with Langley AFB, Wright-Patterson AFB, and other Air Force locations as needed.
This position will require up to 50% travel to customer sites or other NG facilities, depending upon candidate location, and direction of the Strategic Customer Engagement Senior Director.
Key responsibilities include:
Support the US Air Force Account Manager as the senior business development executor for the sector, coordinating customer-facing activity and contributing to pipeline health, bookings outcomes, and customer satisfaction in line with the account strategy.
Execute and coordinate across the account lifecycle—from early shaping and solution scoping through proposal support, award, and post-award relationship stewardship—ensuring disciplined handoffs to programs and adherence to account plans.
Integrate divisions, product lines, and capture teams to present a unified value proposition to the Air Force; recommend portfolio alignment and investment priorities to advance sector goals.
Maintain and expand customer relationships across HAF/SAF staffs, AFMC centers (e.g., AFLCMC, AFRL, AFSC, AFTC), PEOs, MAJCOMs/Numbered Air Forces, and key influencers in support of the Account Manager; translate mission needs into actionable solution shaping and capture inputs.
Drive pipeline discipline by identifying, qualifying, and prioritizing pursuits with the Account Manager; apply business-case and competitive analysis to inform resourcing recommendations and monitor coverage versus Annual Operating Plan.
Orchestrate disciplined opportunity qualification during early capture phases on behalf of the Account Manager; contribute to win strategies/themes and ensure rapid, clean transitions to capture with clear customer insight and decision-gate readiness.
Partner with Capture Leadership, P&L owners, and functional teams to support capture strategy execution across capture phases; enable color-team readiness, price-to-win integration, and timely decision-making.
Prepare and enable senior executive engagements (Sector President, Division GMs and Executive Leadership Team) with precise briefs, call plans, talking points, and post-engagement readouts; distill intelligence into concise, actionable decisions.
Coordinate integrated customer and stakeholder engagement plans; synchronize sector activities with Corporate Government Relations and Legislative Affairs to align with enterprise and congressional priorities.
Gather and synthesize customer feedback, competitive intelligence, and market signals to inform product roadmaps, IRAD/R&D recommendations, and portfolio strategy; provide timely insight on senior-level customer priorities.
Collaborate with operating divisions to represent customer needs, understand division equities, and integrate division content into executive packages and customer engagements.
Run account rhythms and metrics on behalf of the Account Manager (e.g., Quarterly Business Reviews, pipeline and gate reviews); communicate status, risks, and recovery actions to sector and division leadership with clarity and in a timely manner.
Identify and recommend strategic teammates and suppliers; support teaming strategies and agreements that strengthen competitive position and close capability gaps for Air Force pursuits.
Uphold ethical conduct and compliance in all customer interactions and pursuit activities.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of defense‑sector business development/capture experience or relevant military experience or a Master's degree and 6+ years of defense‑sector business development/capture experience or relevant military experience.
3+ years leading large, multi‑disciplinary teams to deliver win‑focused outcomes.
Deep knowledge of DoW/USAF acquisition and/or operational processes.
Exceptional executive‑level communication and briefing skills; experience influencing senior government officials and corporate leadership.
U.S. Citizenship.
Current/Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a SAP clearance after starting.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proven track record of owning full‑cycle account management and improving win rates.
Top Secret Clearance.
Advanced degree or MBA preferred.
What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!