Job Details

Igniters operate in the world’s most demanding environment. Igniters are self-motivated, mission-driven, and relentless in solving the Warfighters’ hardest problems. We move fast, think differently, and execute with precision to tackle high-stakes challenges across AI/ML, space and missile defense intelligence, EMSO, advanced analytics, and programmatic domains. As an employee-owned SDVOSB headquartered in Huntsville, AL, our team delivers mission-critical impact for the Army, Air Force, Space Force, MDA, NASA, IC, and FBI.

Ignite exists to outpace the threat and deliver results that matter in the moments that count.

The Vice President of Bid & Proposal is responsible for driving performance, growth, and continuous improvement across Ignite's portfolio of programs and strategic pursuits. This onsite position oversees the company's bid and proposal activities while serving as a key partner to executive leadership and Business Units in advancing strategic growth objectives. The VP leads major recompetes and new business pursuits, strengthens program management capabilities across the organization, and advances Ignite's quality management framework through CMMI Services Level 3 and ISO 9001:2015 processes. Working from Ignite’s corporate headquarters, this role collaborates with executive leadership, Business Unit Leadership, and functional teams.  This role will position Ignite for long-term growth balanced with operational focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full proposal lifecycle for Ignite.  Lead the company's bid and proposal efforts, overseeing proposal development activities, proposal staff, and pursuit support processes.
• Partner with executive leadership and Business Unit leaders to manage and prioritize the enterprise growth pipeline (including organic/tactical/strategic opportunities). Support capture activities, shape opportunity strategies, leverage technical capabilities and past performance, and identify growth opportunities that align with Ignite's strategic objectives, customer needs, and core capabilities.
• Support Ignite prime and subcontract proposals. Direct major recompete and strategic new business proposal efforts, leading cross-functional teams through solution development, pricing, technical and management volume creation, reviews, and submission while ensuring proposals are compelling, compliant, and executable.  
• Translate operational lessons learned, customer feedback, and program performance into improved capture strategies, proposal content, win themes, and management practices.
• Strengthen program management, proposal development, and operational best practices while maintaining and continuously improving Ignite's quality management system, including CMMI and ISO compliance.
• Support strategic planning, portfolio reviews, and executive decision-making related to growth, performance, staffing, resource allocation, and organizational priorities.
• Develop and mentor Ignite's workforce through training, professional development, and leadership initiatives that strengthen program execution capabilities and organizational readiness for growth. Lead and develop personnel while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, acquisition, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in defense acquisition, Government program management, or defense contracting.
• Demonstrated success leading large, complex federal proposals, including recompetes and competitive new business pursuits.
• Experience managing proposal development, capture support, pricing strategy, and cross-functional pursuit teams.
• Strong understanding of federal acquisition processes, contract types, and proposal compliance requirements.
• Experience with quality management frameworks, including CMMI and/or ISO-certified environments.
• Ability to improve program performance and implement enterprise-wide operational processes and standards.
• Strong executive communication, customer engagement, and team-building skills.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active Secret clearance required; Top Secret clearance preferred.