VP of Defense
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Business Development & Sales – Defense Business Development /
Full-time - On-site /
Hybrid
REGENT is building the seaglider; the first electric flying machine that will transport commercial passengers. With a vehicle that never flies higher than a few meters off the water, we unlock the ability to fly twice as far as an electric aircraft, and certification by maritime authorities which will let us fly first passengers by mid-decade.
We are backed by the world’s best investors: the same investors who are behind SpaceX, Anduril, and Boom Supersonic, in addition to strategic investors like Lockheed Martin, Japan Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines. We have over $8B in orders from some of the industry’s largest operators and are hard at work getting our full-scale, human-carrying prototype on the water next year.
REGENT is a proud dual-use company with technology that can make a difference to our warfighters, and we need a passionate and experienced defense business development leader to take us to the next level. Reporting directly to the CEO, our VP of Defense will be responsible for refining and executing our defense go-to-market strategy, executing our existing DoD contracts, and building a defense-focused business development team from the ground up.
The VP of Defense will have three primary initiatives:
Long-term strategy: Develop and execute a roadmap to a Program of Record with relevant services
Medium-term tactics: Develop and execute strategies for securing opportunities to bolster REGENT’s product development across key defense stakeholders (all services, intelligence community, and innovation units e.g. DIU)
Short-term execution: Ensure flawless execution of our existing Marine Corps program focused on accelerating full-scale human-carrying seaglider development
Throughout these initiatives, the VP of Defense will work closely with our engineering team to filter and prioritize customer requirements and also to communicate technical details, timelines, and program plans to our customers. The VP of Defense will also work closely with the Government Relations function to build and deepen relationships with key government leaders, agencies, and advocacy groups ensuring REGENT is a leader on legislation and policy matters generally important to the business.
Success in this role means our seagliders are built into multiple DoD Programs of Record comprising a substantial fraction of our total manufacturing capacity, and as a result, our nation’s warfighters are better equipped to succeed.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Own successful strategy and growth of REGENT’s defense business and team
- Develop multi-year business development strategies focused on winning solutions across all areas of the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community
- Work alongside REGENT leadership to determine business development strategies and priorities
- Engage target government programs and key decision-makers; our defense leader must forge strong relationships and can’t be stuck behind a desk
- Build the defense business development and program management team ensuring a top-tier BD function
- Coordinate with engineering leadership to ensure customer requirements are met throughout the capture and program execution processes
- Actively lead strategic capture plans with other employees and monitor current and future government programs, including legislative actions, customer requirements, and executive branch policy, guidance and budgeting.
- Lead proposal development from inception to completion, including responding to Request for Information and Request for Proposals, writing proposals and preparing customer presentations
- Work with our VP of Government Relations to support and grow REGENT’s Washington DC office
- Be a trusted, respected ambassador for the company in forums ranging from trade conferences to meetings with high-ranking government officials
- Travel to represent REGENT and grow brand awareness in key markets to prospective government clients through presentations and demonstrations
Required Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor's degree in technical or business field
- 8+ years of experience with Federal Programs, Department of Defense, and/or National Security
- 3+ years of private industry experience
- Proven experience of capturing defense opportunities, including significant experience with innovation organizations (e.g. DIU, MCWL, AFWERX)
- Expert communication and writing skills with a focus on technical and creative attributes to develop winning strategies and capture management plans
- Expert deal strategy and negotiation skills
- Proven ability to manage multiple business development strategies across a multitude of government offices
- Strong understanding of the US Government's proposal and contracting processes
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment
- Strong interpersonal and presentation skills
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
- Veteran, especially Marine Corps or Navy
- Pilot and/or ship captain experience
- Advanced degree in a technical field and/or an MBA
- Demonstrated sales experience within the aerospace field or related industries
- Strong track record of generating multi-million dollar product and/or service revenue with government entities
Location:
- Based full time, preferrably in Washington, DC. Full time at REGENT HQ (North Kingstown, RI) also acceptable
- One week onsite per month
- Must be able to travel as needed (20-40%)
Working at REGENT, you’ll be in a fast-paced environment with exciting new challenges daily and abundant growth opportunities. Your coworkers are passionate about building zero-emission, high-speed seagliders that will revolutionize coastal transportation. Our team works collaboratively and across disciplines to safely marry the latest technologies from Aviation, Aerospace, and Maritime engineering. REGENT offers competitive benefits including healthcare, dental, and vision plans as well as an employee equity incentive plan.
REGENT is committed to providing our employees with benefits to support their complete well-being, from excellent health, dental, and vision insurance, to an unlimited vacation policy.
Our Benefits & Perks include:
· 100% of annual premiums covered for healthcare, dental, and vision insurance
· Relocation packages offered
· HSA plans available
· Paid parental leave
· Employee equity incentive plan
· Free lunch catered daily
· Office amenities include snacks, drinks, and coffee and espresso bar
· Dog-friendly office
· Flexible hours and generous PTO
· Paid holidays, including company summer and winter breaks
· 401(k) plan
Equal Opportunity
REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
