[Hiring] Director, Business Development @Akima, LLC

Role Description

We’re seeking a dynamic, innovative, and experienced Director, Business Development – Federal Construction to support its Construction and Security Solutions Group (CSGG). The Director will formulate and execute growth strategies and secure new, profitable general construction and renovation contracts with the U.S. Federal Government and select state and local agencies.

The successful candidate will establish, nurture, and advance client relationships; develop portfolio, account, and opportunity-level strategies; and lead business development and capture activities across the full opportunity lifecycle. These efforts will draw on Akima’s core construction offerings, including:

• Facility renovation and modernization
• Secure space development (e.g., SCIF, SAPF)
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) improvements
• Specialty infrastructure systems, such as intelligent traffic systems and lighting

This role emphasizes identifying and shaping opportunities aligned with CSSG’s strategic growth areas, building strong relationships with federal customers and partners, and collaborating closely with regional program managers, core MEP trade contractors, and A&E Designers of Record (DORs).

The ideal candidate will bring established relationships with federal construction clients, preferably in the eastern United States, and a demonstrated record of securing sole-source projects, competitive 8(a) and small business awards, and multiple-award contracts and associated task orders.

This role reports to CSSG’s Senior Director, Business Development & Capture and is functionally matrixed to Akima’s federal construction General Managers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute growth strategies aligned with CSSG’s strategic business plan, delivering annual sales commitments and supporting sustained, profitable growth.
• Develop long-term engagement strategies, maintain relationships with government stakeholders and industry partners, and coordinate account activities and customer engagement across Akima’s construction portfolio.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and maintain a pipeline of federal construction and renovation opportunities, including MEP-intensive projects, secure facilities, and infrastructure modernization.
• Maintain accurate, current opportunity records with validated customer intelligence, technical requirements, competitive assessments, teaming strategies, anticipated solicitation release dates, funding milestones, and capture readiness indicators.
• Lead business development and capture activities from opportunity identification through award.
• Engage federal customers early to understand mission needs, facility conditions, capital priorities, funding, acquisition timelines, and procurement approaches.
• Partner with operations, regional program managers, estimating, engineering, and project management to review scopes and preliminary designs.
• Apply knowledge of Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build delivery methods to assess design maturity and interpret design intent.
• Position Akima to secure sole-source projects, competitive 8(a) and small business opportunities, multiple-award contracts, and task orders.
• Support acquisition strategy development through appropriate customer engagement and market research.
• Prepare and lead gate reviews; develop and brief bid/no-bid recommendations, capture strategies, and obtain required pursuit approvals.
• Develop, monitor, and control bid and proposal budgets, aligning pursuit investments with opportunity value.
• Collaborate with Proposal Operations and construction delivery teams to develop compelling, compliant proposals.
• Continuously identify, engage, and vet prospective skilled trades subcontractors.
• Develop relationships with A&E design partners, including Designers of Record (DORs).
• Identify and evaluate strategic teaming and design partners; support teaming agreement negotiations.
• Maintain actionable intelligence on clients, competitors, contracting vehicles, construction markets, and emerging MEP and technology trends.
• Lead responses to requests for information and sources sought notices.
• Represent Akima at industry events, conferences, professional societies, and customer forums.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of progressive business development experience focused on federal construction and/or facility modernization.
• Demonstrated federal construction market knowledge, including customers, prime contractors, skilled trades subcontractors, design partners, and target geographies.
• A track record of winning new business with the U.S. Government, including at least three construction contract wins within the last three years, each with a contract value between $10M - $25M.
• Proven success identifying and shaping strategically aligned opportunities and building and advancing a pipeline.
• Strong understanding of general construction practices, MEP systems, design processes, project sequencing, and federal project delivery requirements.
• Experience engaging MEP subcontractors, specialty trades firms, and A&E design partners.
• Working knowledge of Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build delivery methods.
• Strong knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and related procurement practices.
• Strong understanding of ANC 8(a) direct award authorities.
• Strong sales planning and organizational skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a collaborative attitude.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel up to 40 percent of the time, or as business requirements dictate.

Benefits

• The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k).
• A range of other voluntary benefits.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.

Company Description

Akima is not just another global enterprise and federal contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At Akima, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders, Akima provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers, Akima delivers agile solutions in the core areas of:

• Facilities, maintenance, and repair
• Information technology
• Logistics
• Protective services
• Systems engineering
• Mission support
• Furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E)
• Construction

As an Akima employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.