Jobs · Business Development · New Jersey

Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives

Kearfott Corporation · Pine Brook, NJ · Yesterday
Business Development$200k–$250k/yrFull-time

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and executing enterprise-level strategic programs that accelerate growth, operational excellence, and competitive advantage across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and execution of enterprise strategic initiatives aligned with corporate objectives.

  • Identify growth opportunities across defense, aerospace, intelligence, and adjacent markets.

  • Evaluate market trends, competitive positioning, customer priorities, and emerging technologies to inform strategic decisions.

  • Develop business cases, investment strategies, and implementation roadmaps for major initiatives.

  • Lead complex cross-functional initiatives involving multiple business units and executive stakeholders.

  • Drive organizational transformation, operational improvements, and process modernization.

  • Establish governance structures, performance metrics, and executive reporting for strategic programs.

  • Ensure initiatives deliver measurable business value and achieve targeted outcomes.

  • Partner with Business Development to evaluate strategic pursuits, partnerships, acquisitions, and new market opportunities.

  • Support strategic planning for major defense programs and customer engagements.

  • Assess potential mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and technology partnerships.

  • Contribute to long-range business planning and portfolio management.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree (Engineering, Business, Operations, Finance, or related field preferred).

  • Master’s degree preferred.

  • 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within military, aerospace, defense, government contracting, or advanced technology organizations.

  • Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide strategic initiatives or transformational programs.

  • Experience working with Department of Defense customers and prime contractors.

  • Strong executive communication and presentation skills.

  • Pioneered ability to influence without direct authority across complex organizations.

  • Experience managing multi-million-dollar strategic initiatives and executive-level governance.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance as required.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in avionics, navigation systems, defense electronics, autonomy, space systems, or mission systems.

  • Knowledge of defense acquisition processes, FAR/DFARS, and government contracting.

  • Experience supporting integration activities or strategic partnerships.

  • Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, or digital transformation methodologies.

Core Competencies

  • Strategic Thinking

  • Executive Leadership

  • Enterprise Transformation

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Organizational Change Management

  • Business Acumen

  • Risk Management

  • Executive Communication

  • Customer Relationship Management

  • Program Governance

  • Systems Thinking

  • Decision Making

  • Negotiation & Influence

  • Innovation Leadership

Work Environment

  • On-site

  • Domestic travel (40%) with periodic international travel.

Equal Opportunity Employer

including Disabled/Veterans

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