Our client is a FAST growth-stage company transforming the circular supply chain for rare earth elements—materials that are increasingly recognized as critical to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. As demand for resilient domestic supply chains continues to grow, the company is seeking an experienced Director, Defense Contracts to lead its engagement with the U.S. Department of Defense, federal agencies, and the defense industrial base.
Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, this highly strategic role will be responsible for developing and executing the company's government and defense market strategy. The successful candidate will identify and secure government-funded opportunities, establish strategic partnerships with defense contractors and federal agencies, and position the company as a trusted supplier supporting U.S. critical mineral security.
This role is ideally suited for a veteran or retired officer or senior government professional with an established network across the Department of Defense, defense agencies, and the U.S. defense industrial ecosystem.
The preferred location for this position is the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Candidates located elsewhere in the U.S. with convenient access to Washington, D.C. and the ability to travel regularly to support government and defense engagements are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities
Defense & Government Strategy
- Develop and execute the company's U.S. defense and government engagement strategy.
- Position the company as a strategic partner supporting resilient domestic supply chains for rare earth elements.
- Identify long-term opportunities aligned with U.S. national security priorities, industrial policy, and critical minerals initiatives.
- Serve as the company's primary representative within the defense and government community.
Government Business Development
- Identify, pursue, and secure government contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and strategic funding opportunities.
- Build relationships with key stakeholders across:
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Homeland Security
- National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
- DARPA
- ARPA-E
- National Laboratories
- Other federal and state agencies supporting critical minerals and manufacturing
- Develop capture strategies for government solicitations and competitive procurement opportunities.
Defense Industrial Base Partnerships
- Establish strategic relationships with defense prime contractors, Tier 1 suppliers, aerospace manufacturers, and advanced technology companies.
- Identify opportunities to integrate recycled rare earth materials into defense supply chains.
- Develop commercial partnerships supporting secure domestic sourcing of critical materials.
- Negotiate teaming agreements, strategic alliances, memoranda of understanding, and long-term commercial partnerships.
Contract Management & Capture
- Lead the pursuit of federal contracts from opportunity identification through proposal submission and award.
- Coordinate cross-functional proposal teams including Commercial, Engineering, Legal, Finance, and Operations.
- Support pricing strategy, contract negotiations, and compliance requirements.
- Ensure successful execution of awarded government contracts in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Government Relations & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build trusted relationships with government officials, military leadership, congressional staff, and industry associations.
- Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting critical minerals, defense manufacturing, and supply chain security.
- Represent the company at government meetings, defense conferences, congressional briefings, and industry forums.
- Advocate for the role of recycled rare earth materials in strengthening domestic manufacturing and national resilience.
Corporate Strategy Support
- Collaborate with Executive Leadership on long-term government engagement strategy.
- Support corporate growth initiatives involving strategic partnerships, investments, and expansion into government markets.
Cross-Functional Leadership