About Us At Saildrone, we sustainably explore, map, and monitor the oceans to understand, protect, and preserve our world. We provide real-time access to critical data from any ocean on earth and use proprietary software applications to transform that data into actionable intelligence. Our fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), powered by renewable wind and solar power, have a minimal carbon footprint and operate without the need for a crewed support vessel. Saildrone works with governments, civil agencies, foundations, universities, and private companies around the globe to drive better information about our oceans and seas. As a result of our work, Saildrone has been included on Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, earned an Ocean Awards’ Innovation Award, won Best Tech For Good from the Timmy Awards, and was recognized by Andreessen Horowitz’s American Dynamism 50 list of the Top 50 Companies Kickstarting American Renewal. Our first-annual Atlantic hurricane mission with NOAA was included as one of The New York Times’ 21 Things That Happened for the First Time in 2021 and Popular Science's 100 Greatest Innovations of 2021. We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate our missions worldwide. Saildrone is backed by top-tier investors in the frontier tech and sustainability sectors, including Social Capital, Capricorn, Lux Capital, BOND Capital, Standard Industries and Emerson Collective. This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of climate and defense technology. You will be an integral part of a high-performing multi-disciplinary delivering high impact for humanity and future generations. The Role Reporting directly to the CEO, the Vice President of Business Development, will lead the business capture team, driving company sales strategy and business capture processes for both federal and non-federal accounts. The VP of Business Development will work closely with Government Relations, Product, Marketing, Technology, Finance & legal teams to align sales strategy with technical capabilities and bandwidth. Developing a strategy for both US and international sales, the VP of Business development will own the go-to-market and capture process from ideation through contract signing, to ongoing account management and growth. Existing US Government customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, commerce, homeland and intelligence agencies, alongside multiple related commercial sectors. Responsibilities • Own and lead the commercial capture team, including strategy, contracting, Sales process and account executives. • Partner with internal stakeholders to develop, coordinate, and implement strategic priorities and execute business development campaigns. • Grow both our existing customer contract size, and the new customer base. • Work with executive leadership to plan and implement international expansion strategy. • Work closely with Product, Marketing, Finance, Technology and Government Relations teams to ensure coordination with the products we sell, our technical capabilities and strategic direction. • Create and maintain extensive and enduring customer and external stakeholder relationships to gain insight into organization direction, priorities, and budgets, and to ensure Saildrone equities are well represented. • Understand customer missions and technology needs and how they may impact business goals. • Provide analysis on opportunities and risks in the defense market. Advise and make recommendations to Saildrone executives on strategies and direction. • Identify, assess, and qualify potential new business opportunities, including domestic and international government and commercial markets. Partner with internal stakeholders to develop proposal and pursuit strategies. • Prepare Saildrone executives for customer and stakeholder engagements. • Participate in, and represent Saildrone at, key meetings, trade shows, and other events where potential customer engagement is expected. • Collaborate with Saildrone’s legal team to drive closure to contracting opportunities, where needed. • Collaborate with the Government Relations team to inform and support potential legislative strategies and engagements. Location This position is based in Washington, D.C., and is not remote. Travel expectations to our Alameda, CA, headquarters. Saildrone’s DC office is conveniently located at Metro Center in downtown Washington, D.C., between the White House and Capitol Hill. Only candidates with proper permits to work in the United States and a willingness to report to the office in-person will be considered. Physical Requirements • Work is performed on a computer and requires ability to operate a keyboard and other peripheral devices. Ability to travel internationally and domestically. Benefits • Medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents • Enhanced Parental Leave Programs • Competitive benefits including excellent medical, life insurance, 401k plan Catch up on the latest news about us: The Tiny Craft Mapping Superstorms at Sea – The New York Times Alameda's Saildrones collect hurricane data - KTVU Fox 2 Record Setting: Saildrone Explorer SD 1045 Entered into Guinness Book Saildrone Takes the Wraps Off its Voyager Autonomous Research Vehicle – TechCrunch An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco Chronicle The Quest for CO2: You Can’t Capture What You Can’t Find – Inside Unmanned Systems Hacking the Anthropocene with Survivalist Robots [VIDEO] – Freethink Here’s What Hurricane Fiona’s Surf Looked Like, from Atop a 50-foot Wave – The Washington Post An Unprecedented View Inside a Hurricane – EOS They Sailed Into a Hurricane, Now These Unmanned Saildrones are Seeking Data on Our Carbon Uptake – CNN Saildrone Featured Videos Playlist We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. At Saildrone, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that a diverse and inclusive team leads to innovation and better problem-solving. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, disabilities, and backgrounds. Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors. All employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. Please note that the Company does not sponsor employees for work visas or permanent resident cards to work in the U.S. If you need sponsorship for a work visa or green card, you will not be qualified for employment with Saildrone. Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Saildrone are considered property of Saildrone and are not subject to payment of agency fees.