Director Proposal Management Defense and Space

Job Description We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Proposal Management to lead Defense and Space proposal operations supporting U.S. Government, OEM Defense, International Defense, and Space customers. This senior leadership role is responsible for driving winning proposal strategies, leading high-performing teams, improving proposal processes, and ensuring successful execution of complex RFQ, RFI, and RFP opportunities. The ideal candidate is a transformational leader with deep expertise in proposal management, government contracting, cross-functional collaboration, and process improvement. This individual will work closely with executive leadership, sales, engineering, finance, and operations teams to secure new business and retain existing customers. Responsibilities Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Talent Development Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of proposal management professionals. Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and career development planning. Establish performance metrics and productivity goals. Develop succession plans and build organizational capability for future growth. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Process Improvement & Operations Excellence Identify and implement process improvement initiatives to increase proposal quality, efficiency, and responsiveness. Leverage automation and emerging technologies, including generative AI, to improve proposal operations. Monitor key operational metrics and present results to executive leadership. Improve proposal turnaround times and on-time delivery performance. Lead continuous improvement efforts using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Strategic Collaboration Partner with Sales, Engineering, Finance, Contracts, and Program Management teams to develop compelling solutions. Facilitate executive reviews, proposal kickoffs, and compliance reviews. Analyze risks, opportunities, and business impacts to support strategic decision-making. Present proposal performance, business insights, and organizational recommendations to senior executives. Qualifications Required Qualifications 10+ years of proposal management experience in Aerospace, Defense, Government Contracting, or related industries. 5+ years of people leadership experience managing professional teams. Strong understanding of RFQ, RFI, and RFP processes. Knowledge of FAR and government proposal compliance requirements. Experience leading cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams. Proven success managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency. Strong presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree, Management, Operations, or related field APMP membership or certification. Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Experience with Salesforce.com and data analytics tools. Experience implementing process automation and AI-enabled business solutions. Background supporting Defense, Aerospace, Aviation, or Space customers. Key Competencies Strategic Leadership Proposal Management Project Management Business Process Improvement Executive Communication Relationship Building Data-Driven Decision Making Planning & Scheduling Risk Management Team Development Continuous Improvement Customer Focus What Success Looks Like Increased proposal win rates and business growth. Improved proposal productivity, quality, and turnaround times. Strong employee engagement and talent development. Consistent on-time proposal delivery Effective implementation of process improvements and operational efficiencies Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status. Benefits Beyond a performance-driven salary, you'll work alongside dedicated experts on technology that's adva…