Director, Strategic Development

Ursa Major is at a stage in its evolution where establishing a physical presence in the Washington, D.C. area and robust relationships with key government stakeholders is both advantageous and necessary to the growth of the company. Ursa Major’s future success will rely on strong relationships with defense- and space-focused federal agencies, Congress, international allies, and related stakeholders, developing knowledge and influence on policy issues affecting the industry as well as establishing contracting opportunities. 

As an established leader with strong relationships and demonstrated success in defense and aerospace, the Lead for Strategic Development is responsible for leading Ursa Major’s interface to the U.S. Department of Defense, including related agencies, and key customers and industry partners. The Lead for Strategic Development is tasked with ensuring that Ursa Major is well positioned to support the U.S. Government, and international allies, across space and defense missions. This role is responsible for driving success in a set of primary focus areas:   

• Business Development Strategy – lead the development and execution of business development strategies including the appropriate shaping and influencing of defense and space policies, specific program requirements, and request for proposals. The Lead for Strategic Development will drive and lead engagements with DoD and related agencies pursuant to budget, appropriations, program, and pre-contract award activities relevant to Ursa Major’s lines of business. S/he will support the Business Development (BD) leads for each Ursa Major Integrated Product Team with strategic information, budgetary data, relationship mapping, and stakeholder access. Specific duties include:

• • Market Expansion – the Lead for Strategic Development will lead campaigns in support of Ursa Major’s aim to pursue business opportunities domestically and abroad.  Activities include:  
    • Assisting in the necessary regulatory work to ensure Ursa Major’s access to classified and sensitive information, as permitted and appropriate;
    • Enabling Ursa Major to sell into the international market through the foreign military sales process and approved export licenses;
    • Supporting the development of strategic positioning materials to communicate Ursa Major’s value propositions within key national security circles.  
• US Department of Defense / Agency Relations – serve as a key liaison to the US Department of Defense, related agencies, and key international stakeholders. S/he will develop and advocate on space and defense policy issues, and report on relevant policy considerations to Ursa Major leadership and business development team members. The Lead for Strategic Development will oversee mapping, developing, and managing critical relationships with policy makers, defense officials, and other relevant stakeholders to national interests. The Lead for Strategic Development will manage relevant Ursa Major third-party vendors / contractors, including, but not limited to external advisors and strategic advisory firms.
• Thought Leadership & Policy Development – serve as a lead interface to industry trade, think tanks, and thought leadership organizations, in an effort to further Ursa Major’s position and influence on defense and space propulsion issues.

Objectives and Key Results (OKRs):    

1. Develop, drive, and provide ongoing support of the process to secure business development success and contract awards.
2. Grow Ursa Major’s impact by expanding the range of projects and geographies that Ursa Major may pursue:

• • Hone short-list of potential acquisition and acqui-hire targets to facilitate a DC-centric R&D capability 
  • Create partnerships with relevant FFRDCs and UARCs for potential engineering stopgaps and new hire scouting  
  • Appropriately support facility clearance processing for Ursa Major  
  • Create and implement the strategy to drive international adoption of Ursa Major products through foreign military sales and approved export licenses

     3. Position Ursa Major to win U.S. Government development contracts (SBIRs/STTRs/Other).  

• • Identify and pursue relevant R&D funding projects and programs associated with relevant DoD initiatives
  • Develop prime agnostic strategy and partnership pathways with companies across the landscape of hypersonic technology development
  • Develop and implement a roadmap to participation in a program of record

Minimum Requirements:  

• 15+ years of experience working on defense and aerospace matters in the private sector, US Department of Defense, a Congressional office, or a related Executive Branch Agency with a focus on defense and space acquisition matters
• Strong understanding of us government contracting, us government budgeting, defense policy, and legislative process; experience with defense appropriations and/or defense authorization
• An established network of government, policy, regulatory, and related contacts
• Demonstrated experience and success promoting technical businesses to influential stakeholders across the U.S. Government 

Colorado and Washington D.C. law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $190,000- $250,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The salary range for this role is intentionally wide as we are evaluating individuals based on their unique experience and abilities to fit our needs. Most importantly, we are excited to meet you, and see if you are a great fit for our team. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.