What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Business Development position at ABS Group?
Job Description
The Business Development Manager – Government Sector drives growth for ABS Group’s government-focused portfolio by developing and executing strategies to win new work and expand existing accounts across federal, state, and local agencies. This role is a core sales position responsible for new business acquisition and account expansion, with a focus on professional and consulting services such as risk and reliability, safety and mission assurance, cybersecurity, and digital/analytics solutions.
The successful candidate combines strong government market knowledge with a proven track record selling complex professional services and the ability to connect ABS Group’s capabilities to mission, regulatory, and operational needs.
What You Will Do:
Market & Client Insight
Education and Experience
Reports directly to the Director of Business Development or senior level manager.
About Us
We set out more than 160 years ago to promote the security of life and property at sea and preserve the natural environment. Today, we remain true to our mission and continue to support organizations facing a rapidly evolving seascape of challenging regulations and new technologies. Through it all, we are anchored by a vision and mission that help our clients find clarity in uncertain times.
ABS is a global leader in marine and offshore classification and other innovative safety, quality, and environmental services. We’re at the forefront of supporting the global energy transition at sea, the application of remote and autonomous marine systems, cutting-edge technical solutions, and many more exciting advancements. Our commitment to safety, reliability, and efficiency is ever-present, guiding our clients to safer and more efficient operations.
About Our Benefits
ABS Group proudly offers a variety of industry-leading benefits designed to enhance the life and well-being of our employees and their families. These benefits include, but are not limited to, medical insurance (PPO and HD), dental and vision insurance, Health Savings account (HSA), Flexible Savings Account (FSA), life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, disability leave programs, parental leave program, paid holidays, and paid vacation time. The Company provides an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) that offers additional support in personal wellness, including work-life services. ABS Group also offers a 401K plan with a generous company match, subject to plan requirements.
Equal Opportunity
The ABS Group of Companies is committed to the equal employment opportunity of its employees and prohibits discrimination against any employee or qualified applicant based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status or veteran status, or other non-work-related characteristics that may be protected under the law of the Federal Government or specific state employment laws.
Notice
ABS and Affiliated Companies (ABS) will not pay a fee to any third-party agency without a valid ABS Master Service Agreement (MSA) authorized and signed by Human Resources. Any resume, CV, application, or other forms of candidate submission provided to any employee of ABS without a valid MSA on file will be considered property of ABS, and no fee will be paid.
Other
This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job of the incumbent. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements essential for making a fair decision regarding the pay structure of the job. #ogjs
The Business Development Manager – Government Sector drives growth for ABS Group’s government-focused portfolio by developing and executing strategies to win new work and expand existing accounts across federal, state, and local agencies. This role is a core sales position responsible for new business acquisition and account expansion, with a focus on professional and consulting services such as risk and reliability, safety and mission assurance, cybersecurity, and digital/analytics solutions.
The successful candidate combines strong government market knowledge with a proven track record selling complex professional services and the ability to connect ABS Group’s capabilities to mission, regulatory, and operational needs.
What You Will Do:
Market & Client Insight
- Develop a deep understanding of government missions, priorities, and operating environments (e.g., federal civilian agencies, DHS, DOT, etc.), including budget cycles, acquisition approaches, and funding mechanisms.
- Monitor policy, regulatory, and market drivers affecting demand for ABS Group services such as risk management, safety and mission assurance, cybersecurity, resilience, and digital/operational excellence.
- Identify and understand the key challenges, risks, and requirements shaping government programs in areas such as critical infrastructure, transportation, maritime, and public safety.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with government decision‑makers, program managers, contracting officials, and key influencers across assigned agencies and accounts.
- Serve as a trusted advisor by understanding agency missions and program needs and aligning ABS Group’s technical capabilities and past performance to support those objectives.
- Grow existing accounts by expanding into new programs, missions, and functional areas while ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Proactively identify and qualify new opportunities through market research, industry networking, partner engagement, and regular client interaction.
- Track opportunities through government procurement channels (e.g., SAM.gov and other agency portals, contract vehicles, GWACs/IDIQs, BPAs, and task orders).
- Develop and execute capture and account plans for priority agencies and programs, including call plans, competitive positioning, and win strategies.
- Maintain a strong working knowledge of ABS Group’s government-relevant services and solutions, including but not limited to:
- Cybersecurity and OT/ICS security
- Management systems and compliance
- Data analytics, digital and operational excellence solutions
- Work closely with internal subject matter experts (SMEs), project managers, and technical teams to shape solution concepts and value propositions responsive to government requirements.
- Plan and lead client meetings, briefings, and presentations, including bringing ABS Group leadership and technical experts into strategic discussions with agencies.
- Collaborate with proposal, contracts, and legal teams to:
- Develop compliant, compelling, and competitive bids and proposals.
- Structure pricing and terms that align with government acquisition regulations and ABS Group business objectives.
- Contribute to proposal strategy, solution narrative, win themes, and orals preparations as needed.
- Ensure accurate and timely entry of all account, contact, and opportunity information in ABS Group’s CRM; maintain a clear view of pipeline, stage, probability, and forecast.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in business, engineering, science, public administration, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience.
- Typically 5 years of experience in business development, capture, or account management within government markets, with a focus on professional/consulting or technical services.
- Demonstrated success winning work with U.S. government agencies (e.g., DHS, DoD, DOT, DOE, USCG), including experience with federal acquisition and contracting processes.
- Experience in one or more of the following domains is strongly preferred:
- Risk management, safety, mission assurance, or asset integrity
- Cybersecurity, OT/ICS security, or critical infrastructure protection
- Management systems, regulatory compliance, or assurance services
- Digital transformation, analytics, or operational excellence in a government context.
- Proven track record of identifying, qualifying, and winning complex government opportunities and meeting or exceeding sales targets.
- Strong understanding of government acquisition processes, contract vehicles, and procurement regulations; familiarity with FAR/DFARS and major government contract types (e.g., IDIQ, BPA, FFP, T&M).
- Excellent consultative selling, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to engage both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including senior government officials.
- Ability to rapidly learn and effectively articulate ABS Group’s technical capabilities, value propositions, and past performance to government clients.
- Proficiency with CRM and standard business productivity tools; strong skills in producing professional proposals, presentations, and business communications.
- Highly self‑motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple accounts, pursuits, and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work closely with cross-functional teams across sales, operations, technical delivery, contracts, and leadership.
- Cultural and organizational awareness of how government agencies operate, make decisions, and measure success.
Reports directly to the Director of Business Development or senior level manager.
About Us
We set out more than 160 years ago to promote the security of life and property at sea and preserve the natural environment. Today, we remain true to our mission and continue to support organizations facing a rapidly evolving seascape of challenging regulations and new technologies. Through it all, we are anchored by a vision and mission that help our clients find clarity in uncertain times.
ABS is a global leader in marine and offshore classification and other innovative safety, quality, and environmental services. We’re at the forefront of supporting the global energy transition at sea, the application of remote and autonomous marine systems, cutting-edge technical solutions, and many more exciting advancements. Our commitment to safety, reliability, and efficiency is ever-present, guiding our clients to safer and more efficient operations.
About Our Benefits
ABS Group proudly offers a variety of industry-leading benefits designed to enhance the life and well-being of our employees and their families. These benefits include, but are not limited to, medical insurance (PPO and HD), dental and vision insurance, Health Savings account (HSA), Flexible Savings Account (FSA), life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, disability leave programs, parental leave program, paid holidays, and paid vacation time. The Company provides an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) that offers additional support in personal wellness, including work-life services. ABS Group also offers a 401K plan with a generous company match, subject to plan requirements.
Equal Opportunity
The ABS Group of Companies is committed to the equal employment opportunity of its employees and prohibits discrimination against any employee or qualified applicant based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status or veteran status, or other non-work-related characteristics that may be protected under the law of the Federal Government or specific state employment laws.
Notice
ABS and Affiliated Companies (ABS) will not pay a fee to any third-party agency without a valid ABS Master Service Agreement (MSA) authorized and signed by Human Resources. Any resume, CV, application, or other forms of candidate submission provided to any employee of ABS without a valid MSA on file will be considered property of ABS, and no fee will be paid.
Other
This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job of the incumbent. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements essential for making a fair decision regarding the pay structure of the job. #ogjs