Critical Materials Group
Director of Government Solutions and Strategic Growth
JOB DESCRIPTION
Director, Government Solutions & Strategic Growth
Department
Growth
Reports To
Head of Growth
Location
Remote position with DC/NOVA preferred. Variable travel to customer sites, government program offices, and CMG's Texas Campus, driven by government program engagement and strategic growth initiatives; potential for international travel.
FLSA Status
Exempt
Employment Type
Full-Time
Travel
Variable, driven by government program engagement and strategic growth initiatives, including potential international travel
Position Summary
Critical Materials Group (CMG) is rebuilding the United States' domestic explosives manufacturing capacity from the ground up and is seeking a Director to split time evenly between two connected mandates. The first is government-facing: acting as a thought partner and problem solver for government stakeholders navigating the growing number of emerging programs that require Load, Assembly & Pack (LAP) capacity — including the Drone Dominance Program (DDP), the Enterprise Test Vehicle / Franklin Affordable Mass Missile effort (ETV/FAMM), and similar efforts as they arise — helping partners find a real path forward rather than fielding a sales pitch. The second is internal: supporting CMG's core strategic initiatives, including the OSC debt facility, the Series A capital raise, international expansion, and proposal writing and capture across CMG's broader pipeline. This is a role with significant runway; the right person will build lasting credibility with government and industry partners, help secure CMG's position as a critical provider of energetics and associated LAP services, and grow into leading one or more of CMG's growth verticals as they mature.
Key Responsibilities
Government Solutions (~50%)
Serve as CMG's primary point of contact and solution provider for government stakeholders working through emerging programs that require LAP capacity, including DDP, ETV/FAMM, and similar efforts as they arise.
Diagnose government and industry partners' unmet needs and help them find a workable path to a solution, positioning CMG as a preferred LAP provider for warhead fill and payload integration work.
Track the emerging-program landscape broadly, identifying new opportunities beyond the immediate need as they surface, and bringing them into CMG's pipeline early.
Build and maintain relationships with relevant government program offices and prime/subcontractor partners across this ecosystem in order to position CMG as a key integrator with mature vendor partnerships.
Work with CMG contracted resources to provide technical input to government stakeholders on how to increase the lethality and effectiveness of their platforms, where relevant.
Strategic Growth (~50%)
Support CMG's OSC debt facility process, including diligence response and ongoing OSC engagement.
Support the Series A capital raise alongside CMG's leadership and finance function.
Identify and help develop CMG's international growth and expansion opportunities.
Lead or support proposal writing and capture activity across CMG's broader growth pipeline, including procurement and research and evaluation.
Partner with Programs and Production to ensure proposals and capture strategy reflect CMG's real production and technical capabilities.
Qualifications
Required
Experience in DoW program management, business development, or capture roles, ideally spanning munitions, warheads, or emerging weapons programs.
Demonstrated ability to operate as a trusted advisor to government stakeholders, not just a sales point of contact.
Understanding of government contracting vehicles and proposal processes (OTAs, ManTech, prototype orders).
Comfort working across both government-facing business development and internal strategic/corporate growth initiatives.
Track record of adapting to a broadening scope of responsibility in a fast-growing, resource-constrained environment.
Preferred
Existing relationships within the drone lethality, munitions, or emerging weapons program ecosystem.
Exposure to capital raises, debt financing processes, or international business development.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Remote position with variable travel to customer sites, government program offices, and CMG's Texas Campus, driven by government program engagement and strategic growth initiatives; potential for international travel.
Compensation & Growth
Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
Equity incentive options — this is a foundational hire spanning two of CMG's highest-priority growth areas.
Health insurance and additional benefits.
Direct reporting relationship to CMG's Head of Growth, with significant runway to lead one or more growth verticals as they develop.
Clearance: Secret clearance preferred; must be able to attain a Secret clearance if required.
This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Critical Materials Group reserves the right to amend this description at any time.
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory


