Accenture

Special Missions, AI & Data Growth & Strategy Lead

Accenture$148K — $306K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in business development within defense technologies.
  • Deep knowledge of acquisition pathways, especially OTA/CSO.
  • Expertise in AI and data-driven capabilities in defense.
  • Proven ability to build and maintain senior-level relationships.
  • Track record of driving growth and shaping complex pursuits.

Responsibilities

  • Lead growth strategy and pipeline development for high-visibility defense customers.
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities in key defense mission areas.
  • Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across defense initiatives.
  • Integrate efforts to operationalize rapid-response capture capabilities.
  • Drive accelerated cycles and cross-functional collaboration for prototype engagements.
  • Develop measurable growth plans and track performance against objectives.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match.
  • Generous paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
  • Continuous learning and career development opportunities.
  • Support for diverse resources and initiatives.
Full Job Description
You Are:

The Special Missions, AI & Data Growth & Strategy Lead is responsible for driving expansion, innovation, and strategic positioning across the Defense Portfolio's emerging technology, AI and data-driven capability areas. This role blends high-level strategic thinking with hands-on execution, requiring someone who can both architect growth strategies and personally lead capture efforts, develop materials, respond to solicitations, and advance mission-critical initiatives.

Key Responsibilities
  1. Growth Leadership for Priority Defense Mission Areas

Lead strategy, pipeline development, and account growth for the following high-visibility Defense customers and initiatives:
  • Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
  • Maven Smart System (MSS) / AI-enabled mission systems
  • Combatant Commands (COCOM)
  • Special Operations Forces (SOF)

Responsibilities include:
  • Identifying, shaping, and pursuing new business opportunities.
  • Building and maintaining senior-level relationships across these mission spaces.
  • Translating mission needs into differentiated AI, data, and advanced analytics offerings.
  1. Lead, Rapid CSO/OTA Cell (New Defense Portfolio Initiative)

Serve as the portfolio's Lead for the Rapid Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) / Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Cell, responsible for:
  • Integrating with the Defense Portfolio Growth Leads to operationalize a rapid-response capture and submission capability.
  • Driving accelerated pursuit cycles, cross-functional coordination, and prototype-oriented engagements.
  • Building repeatable processes and artifacts to scale rapid acquisition wins.
  1. Portfolio Growth Targets
  • Accountable for achieving 15% portfolio growth in Year 1, with increasing annual targets thereafter.
  • Develop measurable growth plans, forecasting, and performance tracking against pipeline and revenue objectives.
  • Ensure alignment with overall Defense Portfolio strategy and leadership priorities.
  1. Strategic + Hands-On Delivery

This is not a purely strategic or advisory role. The position requires:
  • Hands-on development of capture strategies, win themes, and proposal responses.
  • Direct involvement in drafting white papers, technical volumes, slides, talking points, and customer engagement artifacts.
  • Proactive movement of tasks, deliverables, and milestones forward-often under compressed timelines.
  • Collaboration across engineering, delivery, BD, and leadership teams to shape executable strategies.

Required Attributes
  • Strong understanding of Defense mission sets, acquisition pathways (especially OTA/CSO), and AI/data capability trends.
  • Ability to operate with executive presence while simultaneously executing tactical tasks.
  • Proven track record driving growth, shaping complex pursuits, and building cross-organizational teams.
  • Ability to work in ambiguous and fast-paced environments, taking initiative without prompting.

Success Measures
  • Achievement of year-over-year growth targets.
  • Expansion of footprint within DIU, MSS, COCOMs, SOF, and other emerging Defense customers.
  • Operational effectiveness of the rapid CSO/OTA cell.
  • Increased visibility and differentiation of the Defense Portfolio's AI & Data offerings.
  • Positive engagement feedback from mission partners and internal stakeholders.


As required by local law, Accenture Federal Services provides reasonable ranges of compensation for hired roles based on labor costs in the states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia, and the city of Cleveland. The base pay range for this position in these locations is shown below. Compensation for roles at Accenture Federal Services varies depending on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. Accenture Federal Services offers a wide variety of benefits. You can find more information on benefits here. We accept applications on an on-going basis and there is no fixed deadline to apply.

The pay range for the states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia, and the city of Cleveland is:

$148,800-$306,500 USD

About Accenture

Accenture plc is a multinational professional services company that provides services in strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations. The company has more than 537,000 employees serving clients in more than 120 countries. Accenture operates across five business segments: Communications, Media & Technology; Financial Services; Health & Public Service; Products; and Resources. The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and has offices worldwide.
Learn more about Accenture
Size
624,000 employees
Market Cap
$173.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
$5.2 billion
Founded
1989
5 Year Trend
+11.2%
Revenue
$44.7 billion
NASDAQ

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