The Business Development Director leads commercial growth for Radius Aerospace's Phoenix operation in Chandler, Arizona. A central part of the role is developing and owning the Phoenix FY31 growth plan, which requires Phoenix to enter missiles and to grow its small, early engine position into more complex parts. The Director also owns the site's customer portfolio and new-business pipeline, and is accountable to the Radius Phoenix President for bookings, new business and margin quality.
Phoenix builds complex formed and fabricated sheet-metal components and assemblies, including welded, brazed and additively manufactured parts. Today it serves defense airframe and rotorcraft, commercial aerospace, unmanned systems and industrial gas turbine customers. The Director will build the path into new markets, win new programs where Phoenix can deliver at target margin, and grow existing customers across the wider Radius network.
The Director is the senior commercial voice for Phoenix, with customers and inside Radius. They work as a peer with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Estimating and Finance, and take part in the enterprise BD review led by the Chief Growth Officer.
Key ResponsibilitiesFY31 Growth Strategy & New-Market Development- Develop and own the Phoenix FY31 growth plan in partnership with the Phoenix Site President.
- Establish growth strategies addressing target markets, customers, platforms, programs, and required new-business pipeline.
- Lead Phoenix's expansion into the missile market and support the growth of its emerging engine business into more complex aerospace components and applications.
- Develop business cases for new-market entry and recommend required capability and capacity investments, including machining capabilities.
- Establish clear bid/no-bid criteria based on technical capability, capacity, customer requirements, strategic fit, and expected margin.
- Identify market trends, emerging platforms, customer needs, and opportunities that support long-term site growth.
Strategic Account Leadership- Own the Phoenix customer portfolio and develop senior-level relationships with OEMs, defense primes, and Tier 1 aerospace suppliers.
- Expand existing customer relationships through new programs, additional part families, aftermarket/spares opportunities, and other strategic initiatives.
- Assume responsibility for designated accounts and pursuits from the retiring Business Development leader through a structured transition plan.
- Establish and maintain effective customer relationships and ensure appropriate introductions and continuity throughout the transition.
Pipeline, Capture & Forecasting- Own and maintain the Phoenix business development pipeline within the enterprise tracking system.
- Ensure opportunity stage, probability, value, timing, and other key pipeline data remain current and accurate.
- Prepare and communicate monthly forecasts and growth-plan progress as part of the enterprise Business Development review process.
- Lead capture strategies and campaigns for major pursuits through established decision gates.
- Coordinate development of proposals, presentations, capture plans, and customer-facing materials.
- Track and document win/loss results, including reasons for outcomes and, when available, competitive positioning and winning price information.
Pricing & Commercial Strategy- Develop pricing strategies in partnership with the Phoenix Site President and Estimating team, consistent with Radius pricing policies, margin requirements, and approval authorities.
- Lead negotiations related to Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) and other commercial terms in collaboration with Contracts and Finance.
- Evaluate each pursuit against available capacity, customer delivery requirements, quality expectations, and overall commercial viability before making commitments.
- Ensure proposed commercial terms support both customer requirements and the Company's strategic and financial objectives.
Cross-Functional & Enterprise Leadership- Lead cross-functional pursuit teams to develop realistic technical, pricing, capacity, quality, and delivery commitments.
- Partner with Engineering, Estimating, Contracts, Finance, Program Management, and Operations to ensure successful pursuit execution.
- Ensure awarded business is transitioned effectively from Business Development to Program Management and Operations.
- Promote and sell the broader Radius Aerospace platform, leveraging capabilities across Phoenix and other Radius sites, including Hot Springs, Shelbyville, and Sheffield.
- Foster collaboration across sites to maximize enterprise capabilities and customer opportunities.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications Required- 10+ years of business development, sales or account management in aerospace and defense manufacturing.
- At least 5 of those years owning a book of business with bookings or revenue accountability.
- A track record of building and delivering a multi-year growth plan, and of winning new programs and customers, including entry into a new market, not only supporting existing business. Be ready to discuss specific wins, their value, and your part in them.
- Active, senior relationships with commercial and military aerospace OEMs, defense primes, engine OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers, strong enough to influence sourcing decisions.
- Experience selling engineered, build-to-print manufactured hardware, such as fabrications, formed or welded assemblies, or complex machined components.
- Commercial discipline: qualifying pipeline, forecasting, pricing strategy, and negotiating LTAs and multi-year pricing.
- Judgment to walk away from pursuits that do not fit capability, capacity or margin.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
- Strong written, verbal and executive presentation skills.
- Able to travel about 30-40%.
Preferred Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering or a related field. An MBA or technical degree is a plus.
- Knowledge of sheet-metal forming, hydroforming, welding, brazing, laser processing, additive manufacturing or complex engine-part machining, and of NADCAP special processes.
- Relationships in commercial engines (exhaust, nacelle, hot section), missiles and munitions, rotorcraft, unmanned systems, or industrial gas turbines.
- Relationships with defense primes in the Arizona and southern US defense corridors.
- Experience with capture management and structured bid/no-bid or gate reviews.
- Experience in a multi-site manufacturing business and selling across sites.
- Experience in a private-equity-backed company, including a sale or diligence process.
- Working knowledge of AS9100, DFARS flowdowns and export-controlled program environments.
Preferred Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering or a related field. An MBA or technical degree is a plus.
- Knowledge of sheet-metal forming, hydroforming, welding, brazing, laser processing, additive manufacturing or complex engine-part machining, and of NADCAP special processes.
- Relationships in commercial engines (exhaust, nacelle, hot section), missiles and munitions, rotorcraft, unmanned systems, or industrial gas turbines.
- Relationships with defense primes in the Arizona and southern US defense corridors.
- Experience with capture management and structured bid/no-bid or gate reviews.
- Experience in a multi-site manufacturing business and selling across sites.
- Experience in a private-equity-backed company, including a sale or diligence process.
- Working knowledge of AS9100, DFARS flowdowns and export-controlled program environments.
Recruiters/Staffing Agencies: No phone calls without a previously signed service agreement in place, please.
