Sr. Principal, Business Development & Head of Air Force Strategy

Divergent is seeking a Sr. Principal, Business Development and Head of Air Force Strategy to support business development with key industry partners and lead the strategic engagement with the Department of the Air Force.   This is a mid-level role designed for individuals with experience in working with and/or for defense companies and selling to those companies and the US Air Force.  This role requires extensive knowledge of the U.S.  Air Force mission , organization and funding.  This role also requires the development of relationships, development of partnership opportunities and the ability to close on contracts with industry partners.  This position will report to the VP of Corporate and Strategic Partnerships and work closely with the other principles, the Capture team and the Program Management team. 

• Key Account Managements: Own and manage key accounts and relationships within those accounts.  Execute account growth strategies aligned to commercial priorities and drive opportunity progression and program insertion 
• Strategy Development: Develop and drive the execution of a tailored U.S. Air Force strategy that identifies near/long term opportunities, key personnel, organizational touch points, and funding to deliver DAPS capability to AF missions either directly or through the Primes.    
• Business Development: Forms partnerships, identifies new opportunities and markets to expand and deliver value. 
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate across the integrated capture team and work closely with the program managers and other key account programs.   
• Customer Interface: Support customer meetings, prepare status reports, and ensure timely response and professional products to support the engagement to include prep materials for senior leadership.   
• Risk and Issue Management: Identify risks or challenges in building relationships and address with leadership early to keep momentum on partnerships and opportunities.  
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate records in the CRM, action item trackers, and program documentation; ensure compliance with ITAR, DFARS, and aerospace quality standards. 
• Metrics and Reporting: Prepare dashboards, KPIs, and performance metrics for internal leadership. 
• Proposal and Business Capture: Support 
• Continuous Improvement: Participate in process improvement efforts to streamline program execution and enhance efficiency 

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls 
• Senior leadership experience in or with the U.S. Air Force, with deep understanding of domain-relevant strategy, acquisition pathways, and operational needs. 
• Proven ability to drive business development and strategic partnerships in the national security or defense sector. 
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing, defense innovation ecosystems, and sustainment or modernization programs. 
• Strong communication and translation skills—able to bridge conversations between engineering, operations, and policy communities. 
• Demonstrated success working across teams and guiding programs from concept to execution in complex environments. 
• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls  
• Minimum of 15 years of experience within the A&D industry 
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify issues and develop effective solutions 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence both internal and external stakeholders 
• Experience working in cross-functional teams on A&D programs 
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance 

• Knowledge of additive manufacturing applications and/or munition weapon systems  
• Active DoD Security Clearance 

• This position will require hybrid or remote working with refrequent travel