Business Development Manager Army IT

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.