Director, Business Development, D&S EN

Description

The Business Development Director is responsible for leading Business Development and Capture activities for CAE Defence & Security (D&S) Canada. This role provides strategic leadership across defence domains and is accountable for developing and executing growth strategies, managing key customer and partner relationships, and driving successful program pursuits.

• This position is a replacement role***

• Lead and develop a team of Business Development Managers and provide oversight to Capture Managers through direct or matrix reporting relationships.
• Develop and execute short-, medium-, and long-term business development strategies aligned with D&S Canada growth objectives.
• Build, maintain, and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities across current and emerging defence markets.
• Lead the end-to-end Lead-to-Award process, including opportunity qualification, capture planning, stakeholder engagement, bid strategy development, and pursuit execution.
• Support major pursuits across air, naval, mission support, simulation, training, and advanced sensor technology domains.
• Shape customer requirements and influence opportunity development through engagement with the Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada stakeholders, industry partners, and suppliers.
• Develop compelling value propositions and business cases that differentiate CAE solutions in competitive procurement environments.
• Collaborate with strategy, operations, program management, communications, government relations, and public affairs teams to ensure coordinated customer engagement.
• Coordinate pursuit activities across CAE D&S business units, geographic regions, and Civil operations in support of the OneCAE approach.
• Provide leadership and governance for proposal and capture activities, including pursuit budgets, bid investments, and business development planning.
• Manage significant business development, proposal, and pursuit-related budgets while ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Monitor market trends, customer priorities, and competitive activity to identify new growth opportunities.
• Coach, mentor, and develop business development professionals to build organizational capability, strengthen employee engagement, and support succession planning.
• Foster effective communication and visibility across internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Support opportunities ranging from smaller strategic pursuits to complex, multi-billion-dollar programs.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in business development, capture management, marketing, sales, proposal management, or program management within the Canadian defence industry.
• Minimum 10 years of experience working with Canadian defence procurement processes and practices.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of the Canadian defence market, including the Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence, and Government of Canada procurement processes.
• Experience managing complex opportunities through structured capture and business development methodologies.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to make informed decisions in competitive and evolving market environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and French.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with customers, partners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain NATO Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Controlled Goods Program clearance.
• Eligibility to work in Canada as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a valid work permit.
• Ability to travel within Canada approximately 25% to 40% based on business needs.
• Ability to travel internationally up to approximately 10%.

• MBA or graduate-level business education.
• Experience leading large-scale strategic defence pursuits and capture activities.
• Experience managing proposal and pursuit budgets valued in the millions…