Senior Business Development Manager, US Navy

Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth.

Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. This constellation delivers an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one.

Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.

As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains.

We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world.

Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

About the Role:

Planet is seeking a Business Development Manager focused on advancing the delivery of Planet’s solutions to solve high priority operational challenges for the US Navy.  This individual will lead execution of the entire business development lifecycle starting with the identification and understanding of critical operational needs, along with shaping of program requirements, budget, and procurement processes to ensure Planet solutions are delivered to meet those warfighter needs. 

Specific responsibilities include identifying and qualifying new business opportunities, pursuing long term strategic captures and supporting acquisition activities such as RFI’s, White Papers, Unsolicited Proposals, and RFPs while advocating for Planet capabilities to mission users within the Navy.

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of ongoing operational challenges of the US Navy, along with their budgetary, requirements, and acquisition processes.  Planet’s solutions are innovative and novel, and we are looking for someone to bring those solutions forward to solve significant Navy challenges and shape strategic objectives.

This is a full-time, hybrid role which may require you to work from our Washington, DC (located in Arlington, VA) office 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Leverage existing and develop new, trusted relationships with current and prospective Planet customers and industry partners within the Combatant Commands, the Joint Staff, and the Navy.
• Specifically, the role will need to create a strategy and engagement plan to align Planet solutions to increase support for US Navy operations.
• Actively participate and represent Planet in relevant community forums, events, industry days, and other means to continually increase Planet’s understanding of the Navy missions, long term visions and priorities, along with budgets and acquisition cycles.
• Build the long term pipeline through driving operational demand and identification of innovative ways to bring Planet solutions to the US Navy
• Provide leadership and expertise in support of strategic planning, competitive intelligence and market assessments.
• Partner collaboratively with USG Sales Director and Account Executives
• Maintain close alignment with Government Affairs on policy and budget shaping activities.
• Maintain close relationships with Business Development Managers across global regions, to ensure consistent approaches where appropriate and coordinate engagements with multi-country Defense Alliances and Coalitions.
• Coordinate responses to RFIs and RFPs through bid decision to submission to ensure alignment to strategy in association with Sales and Proposal teams.

What You Bring:

• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Experience working directly within the US DoW - specifically within the US Navy, Combatant Commands, and/or the Intelligence Community with a maritime focus
• Knowledge of, and experience working with, DoW Program Executive Offices and Portfolio Acquisition Executives, and associated OSW and Service requirement and budgetary entities
• Direct prior experience with Navy organizations to include PEO C4I, PMW–120, Office of Naval Intelligence, NAVWAR, NAVAIR, Office of Naval Research, US Pacific Fleet, US 7th Fleet, and Navy Rapid Capabilities Office
• Understanding of how space-based capabilities can advance critical Navy missions
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability and experience to communicate effectively with senior level civilian leadership and/or military flag officers
• Experience working in a Program office, N2/J2 staff, and working knowledge of DoW budget cycle

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience working across multiple parts of the US National Security Community - DoW and IC, to include: 
• Serving in a role leading Operational support and execution functions, leveraging GEOINT, Data, Space, Intelligence, Airborne capabilities for Maritime Domain Awareness and support to targeting
• Experience teaming with primes and integrators on Navy programs
• Experience supporting unmanned or autonomous maritime programs
• Active security clearance

Application Deadline:

11:45pm PT on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.

Benefits While Working at Planet:

These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
• Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off 
• 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Home Office Reimbursement
• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
• Equity
• Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)
• Volunteering Paid Time Off

Compensation:

The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is listed below. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary short-term and long-term incentives (bonus and equity). The final salary range is determined by job related experience, skills and location. The range displays our typical hiring range for new hire salaries in US locations only. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

This role is eligible for commission.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Why we care so much about Belonging. 
We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging—dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work.  If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply!  At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description.  We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts.  We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride. 

EEO statement:
Planet is committed to building a community where everyone belongs and we invite people from all backgrounds to apply. Planet is an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Know Your Rights.

Accommodations: 
Planet is an inclusive community and we know that everyone has their own needs. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to accommodations@planet.com or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.

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Privacy Policy (European Applicants): By clicking "Apply Now" at the top of this job posting, I acknowledge that I have read the Candidate Privacy Notice GDPR Planet Labs Europe, and hereby consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of my personal information as described therein.

AI in Our Interviewing Process: Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.

Candidate AI Policy: Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact accommodations@planet.com with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.