Director, Business Development, D&S Canada

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.

The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with disciplined Lead-to-Award execution helping shape opportunities build customer engagement strategies and position CAE for profitable growth across Canadian defence markets.

***This position is a replacement role***

Key responsibilities include:

• 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.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors 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%.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 of dollars.

• Demonstrated success developing relationships with major OEMs defence contractors and industry partners.

• Advanced knowledge of defence market trends competitive positioning and opportunity qualification techniques.

• Experience supporting opportunities across multiple domains including air naval mission support training simulation and advanced technologies.

• Experience operating within a global organization and coordinating activities across multiple business units and geographies.

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
  

Benefits

Weve designed flexible policies to promote well-being and growth based on role-specific eligibility and requirements:

• Dynamic and collaborative team environment.

• Stimulating work environment.

• Culture where initiative is recognized and valued.

• Opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects within a multidisciplinary team.

• Attractive employee benefits.

• Hybrid work model combining in-office and remote work flexibility

Base Pay Range

Our total rewards package includes base pay and benefits with final compensation determined by experience skill location and internal equity.

$184600 - $234600

***This position is entitled to commission and /or bonus***

About CAE

At CAE our mission is clear: to help make the world a safer place. For nearly 80 years weve driven innovation in simulation training and mission readiness to support critical operations worldwide. By leveraging advanced technologies we empower our customers to operate smarter faster and more sustainably. Join a purpose-driven organization where bold ideas are encouraged collaboration drives progress and your growth fuels our shared success.

Position Type

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

CAE is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants regardless of race nationality color religion sex gender identity or expression sexual orientation disability neurodiversity veteran status age or other characteristics protected by law. We encourage applicants who may not meet every qualification to apply. Reasonable accommodations are availablecontact your recruiter or email if needed.

Data Privacy

As part of our process we may use AIsupported tools to help review applications with human decisionmaking at every step. CAE thanks all applicants for their interest. However only those whose background and experience match the requirements of the role will be contacted.

Required Experience:

Director