Head of Defense Growth

Role Overview

• Define, own, and operationalize Red Cell’s public sector and DoW growth strategy across priority missions, agencies, and acquisition pathways.
• Lead “left-of-bang” shaping with mission owners, program offices, contracting offices, and other acquisition stakeholders before solicitations exist.
• Set bid/no-bid decisions and prioritize opportunities across the portfolio.
• Architect creative solutions that may include leveraging capabilities from multiple portfolio companies with a focus on solving hard mission problems and accelerating adoption.
• Build and run a scalable BD → Capture → Close growth engine that portfolio companies can plug into.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-ownership growth team spanning BD, capture, proposals, and contracts.

Requirements

• 12–20+ years of private sector experience selling to public sector, at least some of that time in an executive position in either business development, capture, or federal sales, and ideally with a focus on defense or national security.
• Demonstrated ownership of the full lifecycle from early shaping (“left of bang”) through capture, award, and post-award expansion.
• At least $100M+ in cumulative contract value influenced, captured, or closed over the course of a career.
• History of moving efforts from prototype / pilot / SBIR / OTA into enduring programs of record.
• Strong working knowledge of DoW and federal acquisition pathways, including hands-on experience with: FAR / DFARS based contracts (FFP, CPFF, T&M, hybrids), OTAs (both prototype and follow-on production), IDIQs / GWACs / BPAs (e.g., task order strategy, on-ramping, teaming), Innovation-focused mechanisms such as SBIR/STTR, BAAs, CSOs, and rapid acquisition authorities.
• Ability to creatively navigate acquisition constraints and identify non-obvious paths to award and scale.
• Deep familiarity working with DoW stakeholders and mission owners, such as: Program Executive Offices (PEOs) or Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs), PMOs / Requiring Activities, Combatant Commands, services, or defense agencies.
• Track record of engaging credibly with operators, acquisition professionals, and senior government leadership.
• Experience selling or scaling technically complex capabilities, such as software platforms, AI/data systems, cyber, EW, autonomy, advanced sensing, or mission-critical infrastructure.
• Proven experience acting as a player-coach
• setting strategy while personally driving the most important deals.
• Experience building or leading BD, capture, proposal, and contracting teams, either directly or in matrixed environments.

Benefits

• Career track opportunity with potential for rapid advancement with strong performance as the firm grows
• 100% employer paid, comprehensive health care including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
• Paid maternity and paternity for 14 weeks at employees' normal pay.
• Unlimited PTO, with management approval.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
• Optional 401K, FSA, and equity incentives available.
• Mental health benefits are available through Tara Mind.
• Cost effective GLP-1 solutions available through Crux.