Director of Business Development & Operations

Director of Business Development & Operations
Columbus, GA | Full-Time | $120,000 – $145,000 annually

About E.L. Blake Corporation
E.L. Blake Corporation (ELB) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) providing mission-critical operational and technical support to the U.S. Department of Defense, with a focus on U.S. Air Force mission planning systems. ELB delivers highly skilled personnel and scalable solutions that ensure system readiness, operational compliance, and mission success across global environments.

Position Overview
E.L. Blake Corporation is seeking a Director of Business Development & Operations to serve as a key member of the executive leadership team. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role responsible for driving enterprise growth while ensuring operational excellence across the organization. This role is designed for a leader who can both drive growth and build the operational infrastructure required to sustain it, ensuring ELB scales effectively while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and execution. The selected candidate will work directly with the CEO and play a critical role in shaping ELB's strategic direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic business development efforts, including opportunity identification, qualification, and full lifecycle capture execution
• Develop and manage a high-value pipeline aligned to corporate growth objectives, ensuring disciplined qualifications and positioning for win success
• Oversee proposal strategy and delivery of compliant, competitive submissions aligned with federal contracting requirements
• Lead cross-functional operational alignment across HR, Finance, Contracts, and Program Management to ensure scalable, compliant execution
• Ensure alignment between business development efforts and operational capacity, staffing, and financial planning
• Drive the maturation of ELB's business development and operational infrastructure, including processes, systems, and accountability frameworks
• Lead transition of awarded contracts into successful, fully supported operational execution
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and applicable government contracting regulations
• Represent ELB in executive-level customer engagements, strategic partnerships, and growth initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, or related field (MBA preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in business development, operations, or program leadership within government contracting
• Demonstrated success leading capture efforts and securing federal contract awards in the $25M+ range
• Strong understanding of federal procurement processes (FAR/DFARS)
• Proven ability to align strategy with execution in high-accountability environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Defense programs, particularly U.S. Air Force environments
• Demonstrated success managing and growing high-value pipelines and expanding into new markets
• Experience scaling operations in parallel with business growth
• Established network within federal and defense sectors
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at senior government and industry levels

Compensation & Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Responsible Time Off (RTO)
• Professional Development Opportunities

Why Join ELB
This is a critical leadership position that directly impacts ELB's growth, operational performance, and long-term success. The selected candidate will work closely with executive leadership and play a key role in building a scalable, highperforming organization supporting national defense priorities.