Head of Defense Growth

Red Cell Partners

Leading public sector growth strategy for defense at Red Cell Partners. Building innovative solutions for the U.S.

Posted 5/7/2026full-timeWashington, D.C. • District of Columbia, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $250,000 - $280,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define, own, and operationalize Red Cell’s public sector and DoW growth strategy across priority missions, agencies, and acquisition pathways.
Lead “left-of-bang” shaping with mission owners, program offices, contracting offices, and other acquisition stakeholders before solicitations exist.
Set bid/no-bid decisions and prioritize opportunities across the portfolio.
Architect creative solutions that may include leveraging capabilities from multiple portfolio companies with a focus on solving hard mission problems and accelerating adoption.
Build and run a scalable BD → Capture → Close growth engine that portfolio companies can plug into.
Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-ownership growth team spanning BD, capture, proposals, and contracts.

Requirements

What you’ll need

12–20+ years of private sector experience selling to public sector, at least some of that time in an executive position in either business development, capture, or federal sales, and ideally with a focus on defense or national security.
Demonstrated ownership of the full lifecycle from early shaping (“left of bang”) through capture, award, and post-award expansion.
At least $100M+ in cumulative contract value influenced, captured, or closed over the course of a career.
History of moving efforts from prototype / pilot / SBIR / OTA into enduring programs of record.
Strong working knowledge of DoW and federal acquisition pathways, including hands-on experience with: FAR / DFARS based contracts (FFP, CPFF, T&M, hybrids), OTAs (both prototype and follow-on production), IDIQs / GWACs / BPAs (e.g., task order strategy, on-ramping, teaming), Innovation-focused mechanisms such as SBIR/STTR, BAAs, CSOs, and rapid acquisition authorities.
Ability to creatively navigate acquisition constraints and identify non-obvious paths to award and scale.
Deep familiarity working with DoW stakeholders and mission owners, such as: Program Executive Offices (PEOs) or Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs), PMOs / Requiring Activities, Combatant Commands, services, or defense agencies.
Track record of engaging credibly with operators, acquisition professionals, and senior government leadership.
Experience selling or scaling technically complex capabilities, such as software platforms, AI/data systems, cyber, EW, autonomy, advanced sensing, or mission-critical infrastructure.
Proven experience acting as a player-coach - setting strategy while personally driving the most important deals.
Experience building or leading BD, capture, proposal, and contracting teams, either directly or in matrixed environments.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Career track opportunity with potential for rapid advancement with strong performance as the firm grows
100% employer paid, comprehensive health care including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
Paid maternity and paternity for 14 weeks at employees' normal pay.
Unlimited PTO, with management approval.
Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
Optional 401K, FSA, and equity incentives available.
Mental health benefits are available through Tara Mind.
Cost effective GLP-1 solutions available through Crux.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

business developmentcapture managementfederal salescontract negotiationprogram managementacquisition strategyproposal developmentcontractingsoftware platformsAI/data systems

Soft Skills

leadershipmentoringstrategic thinkingcreativitycommunicationcollaborationproblem-solvinginfluencingengagementownership