Job description

THE COMPANY Saildrone is a maritime defense company and the global leader in autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). With more ocean miles and real-world operational experience than any USV manufacturer or operator, Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force projection around the world, 24/7/365. Saildrone’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, and deployment hubs in Europe and the Middle East. By combining proven autonomous operations, edge computing, advanced sensing, renewable power, and the most advanced and robust unmanned surface technology on the planet, Saildrone is shaping how the Navy of the future operates. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the forefront of maritime security and autonomous innovation. THE POSITION Saildrone is seeking a Vice President of Marketing to join our DC Capture team. Reporting directly to the Chief Government Relations Officer, you will play a critical role in realigning our marketing apparatus to Washington, DC, and establishing the strategic architecture needed to transition Saildrone from early-stage growth to defense market maturity. We are looking for a seasoned executive leader who creates clarity from ambiguity, possesses a relentless energy to drive revenue growth, and has a proven track record of successfully dragging high-growth tech firms through the defense pivot into enterprise-level operational maturity. THE TEAM The Marketing Team is responsible for shaping Saildrone’s global brand, driving strategic demand generation, and positioning our platform to win major defense and federal contracts. We are focused on delivering sophisticated, scalable marketing solutions that differentiate Saildrone within a high-stakes national security and defense environment. Operating at the intersection of policy and technology, the marketing team serves as a high-discretion partner to Sales, Government Relations, and external agencies to ensure marketing directly accelerates mission success, sales and business growth. THE RESPONSIBILITIES Execute the Defense Heavyweight Pivot: Develop and own the overarching marketing strategy to transition Saildrone from an early-growth brand to a mature, dominant player within the national security and defense ecosystem. Drive BD Alignment: Architect and execute comprehensive campaign plans and marketing strategies that directly align with macro-level Business Development (BD) objectives, moving far beyond day-to-day communications to influence long-cycle federal acquisitions. Optimize External Agency Partnerships: Direct and orchestrate relationships with top-tier external public relations, public affairs, and crisis communication firms; selectively leverage outside counsel to maximize impact and ensure high-fidelity delivery at scale. Establish Washington Governance: Realign marketing operations to the Washington, DC ecosystem, setting up foundational frameworks, metrics, and regional messaging tailored to defense stakeholders and policymakers. Optimize Operational Throughput: Oversee the allocation of significant marketing budgets, ensuring strict fiscal discipline, high delivery standards, and measurable ROI across all enterprise campaigns. Foster Executive Collaboration: Work closely with Government Relations, Sales, and executive leadership to align messaging with rapidly shifting geopolitical realities and federal procurement cycles. Cultivate Accountability: Establish a culture of ownership, strategic rigor, and delivery excellence across the brand, digital, and public relations functions. Build the Bench: Recruit, retain, and mentor a high-performing marketing organization, developing internal talent while optimizing the mix of in-house capabilities and external agency support. Maintain Industry Ethics: Perform all responsibilities in accordance with Saildrone values, ensuring all strategies adhere to the strict ethical, security, and quality guidelines of the defense industry. THE QUALIFICATIONS Proven Enterprise Scale: 12+ years of progressive marketing experience, with a track record of serving as a VP or senior leader who has successfully scaled a company from late-early growth to mature enterprise status. Defense Ecosystem Expertise: Deep, verifiable domain expertise working within the Washington, DC defense, national security, and federal contracting ecosystem. Strategic Campaign Mastery: Demonstrated proficiency in building macro-level marketing campaign plans and business development strategies tailored for complex, long-cycle B2G/G2G sales environments. Sophisticated Agency Management: Proven ability to manage, direct, and collaborate with top-tier external communication and crisis management firms, maintaining absolute discretion and a focus on high-fidelity delivery. Macro Decision-Making: Proven ability to analyze highly complex geopolitical and market issues, making rapid strategic pivots and budget reallocations under intense time and reputational pressure. Executive-Level Communication: Exceptional ability to clearly communicate visionary storytelling, strategic defense positioning, and marketing ROI to board members, federal partners, and cross-functional executives. Fiscal Leadership: Working knowledge of managing large-scale budgets and metrics-driven marketing requirements within a high-growth, venture-backed or public defense tech organization. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Travel: Ability to travel domestically and internationally 20–30% of the time to support industry events, government briefings, and corporate headquarters. The base salary range for this position is shown below. Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications. This range reflects the base salary for candidates in states requiring pay transparency disclosure. Salary Range $254,000 — $315,000 USD To view Saildrone's candidate privacy policy, please visit: saildrone.com . BENEFITS At Saildrone, we’re building operational capability that matters—and that requires people who can do their best work over the long term. We invest in our team’s well-being, financial security, and professional growth so you can focus on delivering real-world impact with confidence and stability. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you and your family while you contribute to a mission with lasting significance. Generous Time Off: Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual plus a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave ensure you can rest, reset, and sustain performance over time. Comprehensive Health Coverage: Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents—providing security and peace of mind. Shared Ownership in the Mission: Equity grants are a core part of our compensation, allowing you to participate in the long-term value you help create through meaningful, operational work. Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options supports long-term financial planning. Investment in Your Growth: We support your continuous learning through an annual professional development reimbursement program, empowering you to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field. Relocation Support: For eligible roles, we offer relocation assistance to help bring the world’s best talent to our mission-critical locations. Saildrone is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Requirements

Must-haves

Establish Washington Governance: Realign marketing operations to the Washington, DC ecosystem, setting up foundational frameworks, metrics, and regional messaging tailored to defense stakeholders and policymakers.
Optimize Operational Throughput: Oversee the allocation of significant marketing budgets, ensuring strict fiscal discipline, high delivery standards, and measurable ROI across all enterprise campaigns.
Foster Executive Collaboration: Work closely with Government Relations, Sales, and executive leadership to align messaging with rapidly shifting geopolitical realities and federal procurement cycles.
Cultivate Accountability: Establish a culture of ownership, strategic rigor, and delivery excellence across the brand, digital, and public relations functions.
Build the Bench: Recruit, retain, and mentor a high-performing marketing organization, developing internal talent while optimizing the mix of in-house capabilities and external agency support.
Maintain Industry Ethics: Perform all responsibilities in accordance with Saildrone values, ensuring all strategies adhere to the strict ethical, security, and quality guidelines of the defense industry.
Proven Enterprise Scale: 12+ years of progressive marketing experience, with a track record of serving as a VP or senior leader who has successfully scaled a company from late-early growth to mature enterprise status.
Defense Ecosystem Expertise: Deep, verifiable domain expertise working within the Washington, DC defense, national security, and federal contracting ecosystem.
Strategic Campaign Mastery: Demonstrated proficiency in building macro-level marketing campaign plans and business development strategies tailored for complex, long-cycle B2G/G2G sales environments.
Sophisticated Agency Management: Proven ability to manage, direct, and collaborate with top-tier external communication and crisis management firms, maintaining absolute discretion and a focus on high-fidelity delivery.
Macro Decision-Making: Proven ability to analyze highly complex geopolitical and market issues, making rapid strategic pivots and budget reallocations under intense time and reputational pressure.
Executive-Level Communication: Exceptional ability to clearly communicate visionary storytelling, strategic defense positioning, and marketing ROI to board members, federal partners, and cross-functional executives.
Fiscal Leadership: Working knowledge of managing large-scale budgets and metrics-driven marketing requirements within a high-growth, venture-backed or public defense tech organization.
Travel: Ability to travel domestically and internationally 20–30% of the time to support industry events, government briefings, and corporate headquarters.

Nice-to-haves

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Benefits

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Dental

Vision

401(K)

Pto

Paid Time Off

Professional Development