Mission Director - Navy (Mission Systems)

The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive, and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who can adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise.

• Build the Business
• Identify and develop net-new opportunities within Navy Mission Systems, building trusted relationships with Mission Heroes and key stakeholders.
• Own a quota and grow a diversified portfolio of business.
• Shape and Close Opportunities
• Define customer problems, scope, and desired outcomes to shape solutions using Defense Unicorns products and the right acquisition approach.
• Lead opportunities through proposal, negotiation, and contract award.
• Own Contract Execution
• Serve as the program leader for new contracts you close, with direct responsibility for execution until the portfolio reaches the scale where additional program management support is warranted.
• Manage delivery risks, scope changes, and mission outcomes.
• Build and Lead the Team
• Define and build the team required to execute each contract.
• Personally lead contract execution and, as the portfolio grows, lead program managers and other delivery leaders across the portfolio.
• Grow the Portfolio
• Maintain an active pipeline and continue developing new opportunities while executing existing contracts by identifying follow-on work, expansions, and adjacent opportunities.
• Own customer retention, portfolio growth, and gross margin.
• Grow from individual contract ownership into a broader portfolio leadership role.

Location requirements

Candidates must be located in San Diego, CA, or on the West Coast and willing to travel to customer sites as needed.

Required qualifications

• Experience within Navy Mission Systems, including NAVWAR, Naval C4ISR, PAE Mission Systems, or a closely related defense environment.
• Strong understanding of Navy mission systems culture, operational requirements, stakeholders, and terminology.
• Experience in one or more of the following: military operations, government program management, acquisition, contracting, business development, or defense industry program leadership.
• Working knowledge of federal acquisition, including contract vehicles, acquisition strategies, and contract negotiations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and remain accountable for customer and program outcomes.
• Willingness to operate across business development, contracting, staffing, and execution, personally driving critical work while building and leading the teams required to scale.
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity, identifying opportunities, and creating a path forward without a predefined playbook.
• Technical fluency to understand and communicate Defense Unicorns products, cloud-native technologies, DevSecOps, Kubernetes, and modern software delivery concepts.

• Established customer relationships within NAVWAR, PAE Mission Systems, Naval C4ISR, or related Navy program offices.
• Experience developing adjacent business opportunities within existing Navy customer environments.
• Experience with CRM, quota ownership, pipeline forecasting, and revenue-generating activities.
• Experience selling or delivering software products within DoD environments.
• Experience managing contract execution, customer retention, portfolio growth, and gross margin.
• Familiarity with shipboard systems, maritime operational environments, and modernization of Navy mission-critical software.

• Clearance: Active Secret clearance or higher.
• Travel: Ability to travel approximately 25–40%.