We are seeking an experienced, results-driven Business Development Manager to accelerate our growth across the federal government marketplace. The ideal candidate brings established government and industry relationships, a strong understanding of federal acquisition processes, and a demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, shape, and win federal contract opportunities.
Job DescriptionThe Business Development Manager will be responsible for identifying, developing, and pursuing new business opportunities within the federal government contracting market.
This position requires a proactive business development professional who can independently build a qualified pipeline, establish relationships with government decision-makers, develop strategic partnerships, and lead opportunities through the business development lifecycle.
The successful candidate will work closely with executive leadership, capture management, proposal teams, and technical subject matter experts to position Ares Enterprise for sustained growth.
Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness Development & Pipeline Management- Identify, qualify, and pursue federal contracting opportunities across DoD and civilian agencies.
- Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities aligned with Ares Enterprise's core capabilities and growth strategy.
- Conduct market research using SAM.gov, GovWin, GSA eBuy, USAspending, FPDS, and other federal procurement intelligence platforms.
- Identify upcoming recompetes, new requirements, agency initiatives, and acquisition opportunities before formal solicitation release.
- Develop and execute account plans targeting strategic federal agencies and programs.
- Maintain accurate pipeline forecasts, opportunity tracking, and business development activities within the company's CRM system.
Government & Industry Relationship Development- Establish and maintain relationships with government program managers, contracting officers, acquisition professionals, and key decision-makers.
- Build relationships with federal systems integrators, prime contractors, small business partners, and technology vendors.
- Represent Ares Enterprise at government industry days, conferences, networking events, and customer meetings.
- Develop teaming relationships, strategic partnerships, and subcontracting opportunities that support corporate growth.
- Leverage existing professional networks to create new business opportunities and expand Ares Enterprise's federal market presence.
Capture Management & Opportunity Development- Lead early-stage capture activities, including opportunity qualification, competitive intelligence, customer engagement, and acquisition strategy development.
- Support development of win themes, discriminators, teaming strategies, and competitive positioning.
- Coordinate with technical and proposal teams to develop compelling responses to RFIs, Sources Sought Notices, RFQs, and RFPs.
- Analyze solicitation requirements, evaluation criteria, contract vehicles, and competitive landscapes.
- Participate in bid/no-bid decisions and present opportunity assessments to executive leadership.
- Facilitate opportunity transition from business development to capture, proposal development, and contract award.
Strategic Growth & Market Expansion- Identify opportunities to leverage Ares Enterprise's WOSB and SDB socioeconomic designations.
- Promote the use of GSA MAS and other governmentwide acquisition contracts to facilitate federal procurement.
- Identify growth opportunities involving ServiceNow, cloud modernization, cybersecurity, enterprise IT operations, artificial intelligence, data engineering, and software development.
- Support expansion into new federal agencies, contract vehicles, and strategic technology markets.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to establish and execute annual business development strategies and revenue growth objectives.
Requirements
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Management, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- 5+ years of demonstrated business development experience within the federal government contracting industry.
- Proven track record of identifying, qualifying, pursuing, and contributing to successful federal contract awards.
- Established relationships within DoD, federal civilian agencies, prime contractors, or federal acquisition organizations.
- Strong understanding of the federal procurement lifecycle, including market research, acquisition planning, capture management, proposal development, and contract awards.
- Working knowledge of FAR, federal contracting vehicles, IDIQs, BPAs, GSA MAS, and small business set-aside programs.
- Experience developing and managing federal opportunity pipelines and executing business development strategies.
- Familiarity with SAM.gov, GovWin, GSA eBuy, USAspending, and federal procurement research tools.
- Ability to independently engage government customers, identify requirements, and develop actionable business opportunities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities and competing priorities.
- Ability to travel for customer meetings, industry events, and business development activities.
Preferred Qualifications- 7+ years of federal business development, capture management, or federal account management experience.
- Demonstrated success supporting federal IT services contract awards, including prime contract wins.
- Existing relationships with Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, DoD agencies, or federal civilian organizations.
- Experience working with WOSB, 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, or other small business federal contractors.
- Familiarity with NAICS codes 541511, 541512, 541513, 541519, 541330, 541611, and 541715.
- Experience developing opportunities involving ServiceNow, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, IT modernization, enterprise IT operations, and AI-enabled solutions.
- Experience developing strategic teaming agreements, mentor-protégé relationships, and joint venture opportunities.
- Experience supporting capture strategies for competitive federal acquisitions.
- Familiarity with Shipley business development and capture management methodologies.
- Established relationships with major federal systems integrators and technology partners.
Performance ExpectationsThe Business Development Manager will be evaluated based on measurable business development outcomes, including:
- Qualified Pipeline Growth: Develop and maintain a sustainable pipeline of qualified federal contracting opportunities.
- Customer Engagement: Establish meaningful relationships with government customers, acquisition stakeholders, and industry partners.
- Opportunity Development: Identify and shape opportunities early in the acquisition lifecycle.
- Capture Effectiveness: Advance qualified opportunities through established business development and capture milestones.
- Revenue Growth: Contribute directly to new contract awards, strategic partnerships, and corporate revenue objectives.
- CRM & Forecasting: Maintain accurate opportunity records, pipeline reporting, and actionable forecasts.
What We Offer- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
- Performance-based incentives and business development bonuses.
- Opportunities for professional growth and leadership advancement.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Company-provided life and disability insurance.
- Paid federal holidays and company leave benefits.
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
- Direct engagement with executive leadership and the opportunity to influence corporate growth strategy.
