Manager, Business Development

American Bureau of Shipping Career Site
Washington, DC

The Business Development Manager – Government Sector drives growth for ABS Group’s government-focused portfolio by developing and executing strategies to win new work and expand existing accounts across federal, state, and local agencies. This role is a core sales position responsible for new business acquisition and account expansion, with a focus on professional and consulting services such as risk and reliability, safety and mission assurance, cybersecurity, and digital/analytics solutions.

The successful candidate combines strong government market knowledge with a proven track record selling complex professional services and the ability to connect ABS Group’s capabilities to mission, regulatory, and operational needs.

What You Will Do:

       Market & Client Insight

  • Develop a deep understanding of government missions, priorities, and operating environments (e.g., federal civilian agencies, DHS, DOT, etc.), including budget cycles, acquisition approaches, and funding mechanisms.
  • Monitor policy, regulatory, and market drivers affecting demand for ABS Group services such as risk management, safety and mission assurance, cybersecurity, resilience, and digital/operational excellence.
  • Identify and understand the key challenges, risks, and requirements shaping government programs in areas such as critical infrastructure, transportation, maritime, and public safety.

Account & Relationship Management

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with government decision‑makers, program managers, contracting officials, and key influencers across assigned agencies and accounts.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor by understanding agency missions and program needs and aligning ABS Group’s technical capabilities and past performance to support those objectives.
  • Grow existing accounts by expanding into new programs, missions, and functional areas while ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business.

 

Business Development & Opportunity Generation

  • Proactively identify and qualify new opportunities through market research, industry networking, partner engagement, and regular client interaction.
  • Track opportunities through government procurement channels (e.g., SAM.gov and other agency portals, contract vehicles, GWACs/IDIQs, BPAs, and task orders).
  • Develop and execute capture and account plans for priority agencies and programs, including call plans, competitive positioning, and win strategies.

 

Solution Development & Sales Execution

  • Maintain a strong working knowledge of ABS Group’s government-relevant services and solutions, including but not limited to:
    • Cybersecurity and OT/ICS security
    • Management systems and compliance
    • Data analytics, digital and operational excellence solutions
  • Work closely with internal subject matter experts (SMEs), project managers, and technical teams to shape solution concepts and value propositions responsive to government requirements.
  • Plan and lead client meetings, briefings, and presentations, including bringing ABS Group leadership and technical experts into strategic discussions with agencies.

 

Capture, Proposal, and Commercial Management

  • Collaborate with proposal, contracts, and legal teams to:
    • Develop compliant, compelling, and competitive bids and proposals.
    • Structure pricing and terms that align with government acquisition regulations and ABS Group business objectives.
  • Contribute to proposal strategy, solution narrative, win themes, and orals preparations as needed.
  • Ensure accurate and timely entry of all account, contact, and opportunity information in ABS Group’s CRM; maintain a clear view of pipeline, stage, probability, and forecast. 

What You Will Need:

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in business, engineering, science, public administration, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Typically 5+ years of experience in business development, capture, or account management within government markets, with a focus on professional/consulting or technical services.
  • Demonstrated success winning work with U.S. government agencies (e.g., DHS, DoD, DOT, DOE, USCG), including experience with federal acquisition and contracting processes.
  • Experience in one or more of the following domains is strongly preferred:
    • Risk management, safety, mission assurance, or asset integrity
    • Cybersecurity, OT/ICS security, or critical infrastructure protection
    • Management systems, regulatory compliance, or assurance services
    • Digital transformation, analytics, or operational excellence in a government context.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Proven track record of identifying, qualifying, and winning complex government opportunities and meeting or exceeding sales targets.
  • Strong understanding of government acquisition processes, contract vehicles, and procurement regulations; familiarity with FAR/DFARS and major government contract types (e.g., IDIQ, BPA, FFP, T&M).
  • Excellent consultative selling, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to engage both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including senior government officials.
  • Ability to rapidly learn and effectively articulate ABS Group’s technical capabilities, value propositions, and past performance to government clients.
  • Proficiency with CRM and standard business productivity tools; strong skills in producing professional proposals, presentations, and business communications.
  • Highly self‑motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple accounts, pursuits, and deadlines simultaneously.
  • Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work closely with cross-functional teams across sales, operations, technical delivery, contracts, and leadership.
  • Cultural and organizational awareness of how government agencies operate, make decisions, and measure success.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports directly to the Director of Business Development or senior level manager. 

// // //