Business Development Director
Full-Time, Permanent
Washington, DC metropolitan area or Hampton, VA
The Role:
JFD North America is seeking a dynamic Business Development Director to spearhead its next phase of expansion. Reporting directly to the JFD‑NA President and working closely with the global Head of Sales, this is a rare opportunity to influence strategic direction at the highest level while driving significant commercial impact.
This role offers the unique chance to build and scale the business from the ground up within a high‑growth, defence‑focused US market. It blends the pace and autonomy of a start-up environment with the support of an established global organisation, empowering you to design market strategy, shape commercial priorities, and build a high‑performing team as the business grows. With the freedom to set performance targets and define the commercial roadmap, you will play a pivotal role in establishing a strong and sustainable market presence.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead North America defence growth strategy and targets, aligned with Group objectives.
- Identify, qualify, and secure new opportunities across defence and adjacent markets.
- Lead proposals, bids, and tenders, ensuring alignment with commercial and technical capability; provide recommendations to senior leadership.
- Build strong relationships with government agencies, prime contractors, and industry partners; manage customer feedback processes.
- Conduct market and competitor analysis to guide strategy and pipeline planning.
- Advise leadership on investment opportunities and key commercial decisions.
- Maintain Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and reporting systems to track pipeline health and performance metrics.
- Deliver regular business development KPI updates to the JFD‑NA President and Board of Directors.
- Represent JFD‑NA at industry events, conferences, and networking engagements.
What we're looking for:
- Must hold (or be eligible to obtain) a US passport and valid driver's license.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a US DoD Security Clearance.
- Strong background in business development, defence procurement, and defence contracting, including bids and proposal management.
- Understanding of U.S. and global defence markets, customer ecosystems, and cross‑functional commercial collaboration.
- Proven track record of securing new contracts, managing pipelines, executing strategy, and growing customer relationships.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Highly analytical and detail‑oriented, with strong problem‑solving skills focused on opportunity qualification and risk mitigation.
- Entrepreneurial, self‑starting, and results‑driven, ideally experienced in a growing or startup‑style environment.
- Strategic thinker able to translate objectives into revenue opportunities and make sound, risk‑informed decisions.
- Proficient with CRM systems and Microsoft Office, and quick to learn new products and services.
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision and comfortable with regular North American travel plus occasional international travel.
About Us:
James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration. Visit our website
James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD
If this sounds like the ideal next step in your career, then click ‘apply’ now!
You can find out more about James Fisher & Sons group companies and valued behaviours by watching a short film here: We are One James Fisher - YouTube
Due to the volume of applications, we receive for our vacancies, on occasion applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
James Fisher and Sons are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications for candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success depends on our talented and diverse workforce.