About the position

C3 AI is hiring a Senior Director, Strategic Solutions, Maritime Industrial Base to support our relationship with the U.S. Maritime Industrial Base, based in Tysons Corner, VA. This is an exciting opportunity to advance your career with a rapidly growing leader in Enterprise AI software. In this role, you will focus on driving adoption of C3 AI’s products across the Maritime Industrial Base. You will work closely with the Maritime Industrial Base stakeholders, particularly those involved in shipbuilding programs, naval acquisition, and defense industrial base operations, to develop AI use cases and drive mission-aligned digital transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, or the broader maritime defense industrial base, or experience selling into these communities. Prior service, particularly in shipbuilding programs, naval acquisition, or defense industrial base operations, is highly preferred. Familiarity with maritime logistics, sustainment, and readiness programs is advantageous. Candidates with an established network and a track record of engaging naval or maritime stakeholders will be strongly considered. Veterans and those with a deep understanding of the Navy’s and maritime industrial base’s culture and decision-making processes are encouraged to apply. We are looking for motivated individuals with a strong work ethic and a track record of achievement. You will receive a highly competitive salary and excellent benefits, along with generous commissions and equity. In addition to strategic sales training, you will be supported by senior leadership and mentors to help ensure your success. Candidates should be able to understand complex issues at the intersection of mission, operations, and technology, and communicate that complexity with clarity. Successful candidates will thrive in a fast-paced, high-performance, highly collaborative environment and demonstrate an ability to execute precisely and quickly. Candidates should possess technical fluency in AI, machine learning, operations research, physics, math, engineering, data integration, or computer science.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to drive revenue growth within the maritime defense sector, targeting naval agencies, shipbuilding primes, and defense industrial base contractors.
• Identify and prioritize key accounts, cultivating relationships with senior-level decision-makers, program managers, and influencers within maritime and naval acquisition organizations.
• Understand the unique challenges, requirements, and procurement processes of the maritime defense and industrial base sectors, and tailor sales approaches and solutions accordingly.
• Engage in strategic relationships with customers to ensure the realization of their digital transformation goals.
• Develop, maintain, and manage the implementation of strategic customer engagement plans.
• Manage efforts to research and identify customer prospects and targets.
• Collaborate with sales, engineering, product, and marketing teams to develop new product offerings within existing and new lines of business.
• Represent C3 AI by driving business development with company alliance partners.
• Personally engage in strategic account selling, business development, and ongoing customer success.
• Travel to customer sites up to 50% of the time (or more) depending on business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, science, computer science, or related technical field of study.
• Proven track record of success in sales with a focus on selling SaaS solutions to the federal defense sector.
• Deep understanding of the maritime defense and industrial base landscape, procurement processes, and acquisition programs.
• Extensive knowledge of AI technology, data analytics, and their applications within the maritime and shipbuilding sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in building and nurturing relationships with senior-level decision-makers and influencers within naval and maritime defense organizations.
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future company sponsorship.

Nice-to-haves

• Master’s or MBA degree preferred.
• Prior service, particularly in shipbuilding programs, naval acquisition, or defense industrial base operations, is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with maritime logistics, sustainment, and readiness programs is advantageous.
• Candidates with an established network and a track record of engaging naval or maritime stakeholders will be strongly considered.
• Veterans and those with a deep understanding of the Navy’s and maritime industrial base’s culture and decision-making processes are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with and understanding of AI and Machine Learning is highly favorable.
• Sales consulting or management consulting experience preferred.

Benefits

• highly competitive salary
• excellent benefits
• generous commissions
• equity
• strategic sales training
• supported by senior leadership and mentors
• competitive compensation package
• generous equity plan