Defense Innovation Team Lead

Arlington, VA
Full Time
Senior Manager/Supervisor

Job Description

If you're a passionate leader in defense and national security, eager to drive innovation and lead a growing team, we'd love to connect!

Who we are

  • FedTech is a group of entrepreneurially-minded people on a mission to unlock the benefits of technology.
  • We believe in the value of deep tech and its positive impact on the world, aspiring to democratize access to it for entrepreneurs and professionals around the world.
  • We are venture builders who thrive at the intersection of US entrepreneurship, breakthrough technologies, and mission-driven organizations. 
  • Since 2015, we have successfully driven deep tech ventures with individuals, companies, universities, and government agencies to stay at the bleeding edge of innovation. 

What you’ll do:

FedTech is growing into the world’s leading deep tech innovation platform - in 2024, we’re on track to build 50+ new ventures from scratch around federal IP and accelerate 150+ established startups, along with directly supporting the United States’ R&D innovation engine. As we scale our venture building capabilities, we are looking to have greater regional impact in leading innovation ecosystems. Our initial focuses will be related to national security, aerospace and clean tech-related technologies. 

As the 'Defense Innovation Team Lead,' your focus will be on managing a suite of diverse programs designed to take ideas from conception to product to scale within the broader defense and national security ecosystem. You will play a critical role in shaping and executing the firm’s client engagement strategy while serving as a thought leader and an integral member of the management team. This position is ideal for a senior-level professional with expertise in client relationship management, consulting, and strategic business leadership. In this role, you will lead high-impact client engagements, oversee project delivery, and contribute to implementing the company’s long-term vision. The successful candidate will be passionate about driving client success and fostering business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Client Relationship Management & Strategy:
    • Act as the primary executive contact for high-value clients, building strong relationships to understand their business challenges and goals.
    • Lead client engagement strategies to ensure high levels of satisfaction, retention, and business growth.
    • Serve as a trusted advisor and thought leader, offering insights into industry trends, strategic opportunities, and best practices.
  • Project Delivery & Oversight:
    • Provide senior leadership and oversight on the delivery of client projects, ensuring they meet client objectives and align with the firm's standards for quality.
    • Directly support the programs as a trainer, mentor, coach or advisor. 
    • Engage with internal teams to ensure alignment and delivery excellence throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Leadership & Management Team Collaboration:
    • Serve as the primary liaison for the team with the other functional areas including marketing and growth. 
    • Play an active role on the company’s management team, contributing to strategic decision-making, business planning, and organizational development.
    • Provide input on the firm’s growth strategy, market positioning, and long-term vision.
    • Collaborate with other senior leaders to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and client-focused solutions.
    • Work with the Operations Lead role within the team to lead team morale be a culture carrier for the team and organization as a whole
  • Business Development & Growth:
    • Lead efforts to expand business opportunities within existing client accounts and identify new business opportunities  to contribute to the firm’s overall growth strategy.
    • Participate and lead in the development of proposals, business cases, and contract negotiations with prospective clients.
    • Partner with the sales and marketing teams to drive new client acquisitions and expand the firm’s market presence.
    • Oversee renewal and recompete efforts to ensure continued success with existing client accounts.
  • Thought Leadership and Subject Matter Expertise:
    • Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and client presentations as a subject matter expert and thought leader.
    • Use  your skills to demonstrate, teach, and coach scientists and entrepreneurs through transition, company formation, and startup growth phases.
    • Develop and share insights on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices that add value to clients and inform the firm’s service offerings.
    • Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives internally to ensure the team is well-versed in current market developments and innovations.
  • Performance Monitoring & Financial Reporting:
    • Establish key performance metrics for client engagements and monitor client satisfaction and project outcomes.
    • Responsible for working closely with the Operations Lead within the team to prepare financial reports related to the overall performance of the portfolio
    • Prepare and present engagement reports to both clients and senior leadership, ensuring transparency and alignment on goals and results.

Successful candidates will have the following qualifications:

  • An advanced degree in business or engineering/science, or equivalent experience
  • Approximately 15+ years of experience in relevant industries: defense program management, defense acquisitions or research and development, entrepreneurship or entrepreneurial support organizations, professional services, management consulting, government contracting, or program management
  • Extremely strong program management skills, including relevant software tools (e.g., excel, ppt, airtable, CRMs, etc.)
  • Experience in executing, renewing, and growing accounts
  • P&L ownership experience
  • Familiarity with the needs of early-stage technology-oriented ventures and/or innovation at large organizations.
  • Expert-level communication (oral and written) skills
  • Adept at motivating and supporting direct reports and other staff to achieve a shared vision
  • Ability to build strong relationships with a diverse set of people 
  • Relentlessly drives towards action (testing, measuring, iterating)
  • PMP and Six Sigma certifications are a plus
  • Experience in writing proposal is a plus

Our Values:

  • Boldness: We have the fortitude to forge new paths and push beyond our comfort
  • Unity: We treat our clients, team members and partners as we would like to be treated - we are one united team
  • Introspection: We recognize introspection is the necessary ingredient in which self-improvement flourishes
  • Leadership: We embrace servant leadership - putting the interests of client, team partners and partners first
  • Decisiveness: We have a strong bias towards action

Compensation:

  • Base Salary Range: 150-170k based on education and experience
  • Ability to earn upside bonus and equity, rapid career progression
  • A competitive benefits package including 401K with employer match, health/dental/vision plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield, accrued PTO, employer paid disability insurance, parental leave, transportation, wellness reimbursements, amongst others.

Location:

We are open to candidates from the Arlington/Washington, D.C., area, Austin, Texas, and Southern California.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

At FedTech, we are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We value the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual no matter their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

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