Business Development Manager

Title: Business Development ManagerCompensation: Base, equity, full benefits, unlimited PTO

About Us

Vatn Systems is an autonomous underwater vehicle startup focused on developing cutting-edge technology to support underwater exploration, research, and defense applications. Our team is passionate about creating innovative solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible underwater. We are based in Bristol, Rhode Island with a waterfront workshop and office.

This is a work-from-home position, but the candidate must live in or be willing to relocate to the Washington D.C. area.

Job Overview

The Business Development Manager (BDM) is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building, and maintaining relationships with potential and existing clients, and driving revenue growth. The BDM will develop strategies to expand market presence, generate new sales leads, negotiate contracts, and manage partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Acquisition & Relationship Management:
• Organize and conduct a deliberate prospecting effort to identify potential clients and business partners and expand the company’s market reach.
• Generate, assess, and convert new leads.
• Qualify leads and convert them into long-term clients or partnerships.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with key clients, prospects, and stakeholders.
• Prepare proposals, quotes, and rough orders of magnitude (ROM).
• Sales & Revenue Generation
• Coordinate demonstrations and experiments to support client understanding and requirements development.
• Support the Chief Revenue Officer in contract negotiation and closing.
• Support the Project Management Office with handoff needed to initiate project execution.
• Maintain customer engagement to support repeat and follow-on sales.
• Meet or exceed individual and team sales and performance targets.
• Market Expansion & Product/Service Promotion
• Develop and execute marketing plans to promote new products or services to existing and new customers.
• Identify potential new markets and contribute to market expansion plans.
• Support solution development alongside engineers and technical teammates.
• Attend industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to stay current with market trends.
• Attend experiments, demonstrations, and industry expositions.
• Conduct social media engagement on behalf of the company, pending CRO approval of messaging.
• Strategic Planning
• Develop and implement business development strategies to achieve company goals.
• Conduct market research to identify new business opportunities and trends.
• Analyze competitors, customer needs, and market conditions to guide business growth.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to clients, stakeholders, and leadership teams.
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Work closely with internal teams (Project Management Engineering and Operations) to ensure that client needs are met.
• Provide feedback on product or service offerings based on client interactions and market demand.
• Ensure smooth handover of clients to account management or project management after deals are closed.
• Reporting & Analysis
• Maintain accurate records of business development activities, including prospecting, meetings, and deal progress.
• Track sales metrics, report on progress to senior leadership, and adjust strategies, as necessary.
• Prepare regular reports on business development activities, including leads, conversions, and revenue growth.
• Continuous Improvement
• Stay updated on geopolitical trends, technology shifts, and competitor activity.
• Proactively identify areas for process improvement in business development strategies.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.

Qualifications

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, sales, or equivalent experience.
• Experience2+ years of experience in business development, sales, or a related field or equivalent undergraduate coursework.
• Experience in government acquisitions is advantageous.

Skills

• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
• Excellent customer engagement skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills
• Strong data analysis skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong social media skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Basic financial math skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• High level of initiative and self-motivation
• Experience with government acquisitions is a plus.

Military experience is a plus.

Language skills are a plus, particularly: Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, or KoreanSecurity clearance is a plus; candidates must be eligible for SECRET clearance or higher.

Sales experience is a plus.

Key Attributes For SuccessGoal-oriented: Driven by results and focused on achieving sales and revenue objectives.

Adaptable: Able to adjust strategies based on market conditions, client needs, and business objectives.

Relationship-building: Strong ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with clients and partners.

Analytical: Capable of evaluating geopolitical, financial, and technological conditions and using those insights to inform strategic decisions.

Working Conditions

Full-time position with frequent travel required.

Willing to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally.

Willing to work on military watercraft, aircraft, and land vehicles.

Must be able to work on large and small boats.

Must be able to wear PPE such as life preservers, helmets, protective clothing, eye protection, and hearing protection.

Must be able to lift 65 pounds.

Must be able to stand for extended periods (more than 3 hours) on wet, icy, unstable, and uneven surfaces.

Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions (heat, sun, cold, rain, snow, on land and at sea).