Managing Director - SkyMark Defense at SkyMark Refuelers – Kansas City, Missouri

Job Title: Managing Director, SkyMark Defense

Job Summary:
SkyMark Companies is establishing SkyMark Defense, a dedicated division focused on U.S. Government and defense-related customers including GSA, DLA, DoD branches, military contractors, and allied defense partners (export sales).
The Managing Director, SkyMark Defense will lead and scale this division, with full responsibility for sales growth, business development, contract compliance, proposal strategy, and overall execution of defense programs. This leader will build disciplined processes, ensure regulatory compliance (FAR/DFARS, ITAR, GSA schedules, etc.), and drive profitable expansion of our defense portfolio.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute the growth strategy for SkyMark Defense.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities across DLA, GSA, DoD, and prime contractors.
• Execute against established annual bookings, revenue, and margin targets.
• Coordinate with executive leadership on overall defense strategy, forecasting, performance, and growth initiatives.

2. Sales and Business Development
Actively support and execute sales, including:
• Oversee all defense-related bids and proposal efforts, ensuring proper execution, contract administration, invoicing, and payment follow-through.
• Strengthen relationships with contracting officers, primes, and program managers.
• Ensure timely submission of compliant, competitive proposals.

3. Government Contract Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR, Buy American Act, and related regulations.
• Oversee DLA and GSA contract management and pricing.
• Maintain SAM registrations, representations & certifications.
• Manage subcontractor flow-down compliance.

4. Operational Coordination
Align with Operations to ensure:
• Accurate costing and pricing.

• Contract execution performance.
• On-time delivery.
• Margin protection.

5. Team Leadership & Accountability
• Lead and mentor the defense sales and compliance team.
• Implement structured bid tracking, DLA/GSA logs, and reporting discipline.
• Create proactive alert systems for upcoming solicitations.
• Establish pipeline and compliance review cadence.

Qualifications
• 7–15+ years' experience in government contracting or defense sales, ideally within specialized vehicles, aerospace ground support equipment, or related heavy industrial platforms.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and federal procurement processes
• Experience managing GSA schedules and DLA contracts
• Demonstrated success leading proposal teams and capture strategy
• Proven ability to build structured processes and scalable systems
• Strong leadership, executive presence, and communication skills

Office Location / Report To:
The Managing Director, SkyMark Defense is a senior leadership position reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, with close collaboration and regular interaction with the CEO and C-Suite leadership team.
The position may be based at SkyMark Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, or structured as a remote role. Regular travel (approximately 2–3 times per month) will be required for customer meetings, industry trade shows, government engagements, and internal leadership meetings at SkyMark facilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Federal Contractor Statement:
SkyMark Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Federal Contractor. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
As a Federal Contractor, we comply with OFCCP regulations, take affirmative action to employ and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and participate in E-Verify where required.