Special Missions, AI & Data Growth & Strategy Lead

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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.