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VP of Growth Strategy in San Diego, California at Firestorm

NewSalary: $210000 - $230000Employment Type: Full-Time
Firestorm
San Diego, California, United States
Posted on
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Job Description

Firestorm Labs is hiring a VP of Growth Strategy to decide where we play and how we win. This is a business development strategy role, not a company strategy role. You will simultaneously inform and translate strategic guidance from the executive team into a clear, disciplined go-to-market plan for our product family, which today consists of the xCell expeditionary manufacturing platform and our family of unmanned aircraft.
You will be reporting to the Chief Growth Officer (CGO) and own the analysis, strategy, and recommendations that determine which opportunities the BD team commits resources to, and why. A Strategic Partnerships Manager will serve as the action officer executing the partnership initiatives this role sets in motion.

What You Will Do

The role is defined by three mandates.
Market analysis and go-to-market strategy
  • Maintain a current, evidence-based view of the Department of War (DoW) customer landscape, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, SOCOM, the Combatant Commands with INDOPACOM as the priority theater, DIU and the service innovation organizations, the service research laboratories, and adjacent agencies that fund and field capabilities relevant to Firestorm.
  • Analyze policy, budget, and acquisition data (PPBE submissions, NDAA and appropriations language, service posture statements, and program office signals) and translate it into a written go-to-market and customer engagement strategy aligned with the xCell and aircraft product lines and the product development roadmap.
  • Publish the initial go-to-market strategy within the first 90 days and keep it current as budgets, policy, and customer priorities shift.
  • Define our value proposition by customer segment in plain language and hold the pipeline to it. Recommend which demonstrations, experiments, and revenue opportunities fit the value proposition and roadmap, and which do not.
  • Inform the product roadmap by delivering demand signals, policy developments, customer feedback, and budget forecasts to product and engineering so that roadmap decisions are grounded in where the money and the requirements are going.
Strategic partnerships

  • Own the strategy and the senior business relationships for Firestorm's most important partners: primes with whom we act as a subcontractor or teammate, OEMs whose systems we integrate with or whose platforms integrate ours, and other public and private value-add partners.
  • Direct the Strategic Partnerships Manager, who will execute the day-to-day work of building, maintaining, and documenting these relationships in line with the direction this role sets.
  • Work with product and engineering to determine which OEMs fit the product ecosystem and roadmap and own the business side of those relationships once the fit is established.
  • Apply the same quality test to partnerships as to revenue to identify partnerships that strengthen our value proposition or open a market we have decided to enter.
International and OCONUS market development
  • Identify and assess international and OCONUS markets Firestorm has not yet entered and build the strategy for entering the ones that make sense for the company.
  • Consolidate early-stage OCONUS pursuits already taking shape into a coherent, prioritized plan that the BD team can execute and leadership can fund.
Across All Three Mandates
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Growth Officer, the CEO, and the VP of Business Development on where to invest scarce capital, people, and equipment.
  • Track competitor positioning and policy developments affecting autonomy, additive manufacturing, and expeditionary logistics, and fold the relevant findings into the go-to-market strategy.
  • Represent Firestorm with senior government and industry stakeholders where the engagement advances the strategy.
How We Will Measure Success
  • A written go-to-market strategy, covering the named customer set and the product lines, published within 90 days and updated on a regular cadence.
  • A clear, stated value proposition by customer segment that the BD team uses to qualify opportunities.
  • A documented recommendation on fit, with rationale, for every significant demonstration, experiment, or revenue pursuit the BD team considers.
  • A prioritized strategic partnership plan with owned senior relationships across primes, OEMs, and value-add partners.
  • A prioritized international and OCONUS market entry plan with a stated rationale for each market in or out.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, International Relations, Public Policy, or a related field.
  • U.S. citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoW security clearance.
  • 8+ years of experience in defense strategy, market analysis, capture, or government contracting within the national security sector.
  • Understanding of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, rapid acquisition pathways, and the congressional authorization and appropriations cycle.
  • Experience reading policy and budget documents and turning them into a defensible market strategy.
  • Established professional network across the services, the Combatant Commands, DoW innovation organizations, and the prime and OEM community.
  • Experience shaping and structuring strategic partnerships, teaming arrangements, or OEM relationships in the defense industry.
  • Experience communicating complex strategic and technical concepts clearly to senior government, military, and industry leaders.
Preferred Qualifications
  • MBA or advanced degree in Business, Strategy, Public Policy, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in defense strategy, market analysis, capture, or government contracting within the national security sector.
  • Active DoW security clearance, Secret or higher.
  • Experience with international defense markets, allied and partner nation engagement, or OCONUS market entry.
  • Experience in defense innovation organizations such as DIU, AFWERX, or service-level R&D commands.
  • Experience in a 0-to-1 environment where the market strategy had to be built rather than inherited.
Work Environment
  • This is an on-site, hybrid role based in San Diego, CA.
  • We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating. Relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
  • Travel up to 35% within a calendar year, domestic and international.
This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment, and the physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.
Compensation
  • Base salary: $210,000 - $230,000 base, commensurate with experience
  • Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company
The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.
Benefits & Perks
Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
  • We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
  • Equity grants for new hires
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including holiday hiatuses in July & December.
  • Generous Parental Leave
  • Lifestyle Spending Account
  • FSA
  • DCFSA
  • HSA
  • Hospital Indemnity insurance
  • Critical Illness insurance
  • Accident insurance
  • Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
  • Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
Export Control Compliance
To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.
Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.

Job Location

San Diego, California, United States

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