Head of Sales

Location

Washington, D.C.

Job Description

We are seeking a senior executive with exceptional government relationships and credibility to serve as our Head of Sales. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead our global sales organization while serving as the face of Rhombus at the highest levels of the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and international defense markets. This role requires a unique combination of strategic sales leadership and executive relationship management, with significant emphasis on opening doors, representing the company at key industry events, and leveraging senior-level networks to accelerate pipeline development. You will oversee two VPs of Sales while spending substantial time working the Hill, engaging with policy stakeholders, attending conferences, and building relationships with flag officers, SES executives, and international defense leaders. This position is based in Washington, D.C. and requires extensive travel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Face of Rhombus: Represent Rhombus at industry conferences, networking events, Hill engagements, and policy forums, building brand awareness and credibility with senior government and military leadership.
• Leverage Senior-Level Relationships: Open doors and facilitate introductions with 3-star and 4-star flag officers, SES-3 and above civilian executives, Program Executive Officers (PEOs), and equivalent international defense officials across DoD, IC, and allied nations.
• Lead Global Sales Organization: Oversee all sales operations including US Government and international sales, managing VPs of Sales and ensuring alignment on strategy, pipeline development, and revenue targets.
• Drive Strategic Deal Execution: Serve as executive sponsor on large strategic opportunities ($5M+), navigating complex government procurement processes and leveraging senior relationships to advance deals through lengthy sales cycles.
• Work Policy and Government Relations: Engage with Congressional staff, policy offices, and government affairs stakeholders to position Rhombus favorably within defense and intelligence communities.
• Coordinate with CEO on Strategic Accounts: Partner closely with the CEO on highest-priority accounts, executive engagement strategy, and key customer relationships that require founder-level involvement.
• Build and Scale DC Sales Operations: Support the growth of the D.C.-based sales team from current state to 20-30 people over the next 18 months, ensuring the team has senior-level air cover and access needed to close major programs.
• Accelerate International Sales: Leverage relationships with allied and partner nation defense officials to open doors for the international sales team, supporting expansion of our off-the-shelf OSINT offering.
• Navigate Complex Procurement Environments: Provide strategic guidance on major government procurements, competitive protests, and multi-year program opportunities, drawing on deep understanding of FAR, DFARS, and IC contracting vehicles.
• Report on Sales Performance and Pipeline Health: Deliver regular updates to CEO and executive leadership on pipeline development, relationship-building progress, major opportunity status, and sales team performance.

Qualifications

• Retired 3-star or 4-star military officer, SES-3 or above civilian executive, or equivalent senior government official with 20-30 years of DoD/IC career experience.
• Deep, active network across DoD and Intelligence Community: Established relationships with flag officers, SES executives, PEOs, and senior defense officials across multiple agencies and commands.
• 5-10 years post-retirement experience in defense technology sales leadership, with proven track record closing $100M+ in cumulative government contracts at enterprise software or defense technology companies.
• Executive presence and relationship management: Natural ability to work a room, build rapport with senior officials, and represent the company with credibility at the highest levels of government and military leadership.
• International defense relationships preferred: Existing connections with allied and partner nation defense officials (Five Eyes, NATO, Pacific allies) is a strong plus.
• Understanding of complex government sales: Deep knowledge of government procurement processes, competitive dynamics, and strategies for winning large ($10M+) multi-year programs.
• TS/SCI security clearance: Active clearance required, or ability to immediately reactivate clearance.
• Washington, D.C. based: Must be located in D.C./Northern Virginia area with willingness to travel extensively (50%+) for conferences, customer meetings, and international engagements.
• Comfortable with distributed leadership model: Ability to provide strategic direction and executive air cover to VPs of Sales while focusing personal time on relationship building and door opening at senior levels.
• Scaling experience: Experience building or contributing to growth of defense technology companies from $50M to $500M+ in revenue.

Salary Range

• The estimated base salary range for this position is $180,000 to $260,000/year

Benefits 

• Full medical, dental, vision coverage for employee and dependents 
• 401k matching program 
• PTO and Holidays 
• Bonus and other incentive programs
• Access to mental health program
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts for Health Care, Dependent and Commuter

About Rhombus 

Rhombus Power Inc. (Rhombus) is a startup located in the heart of Silicon Valley at Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto.  We use cutting-edge cross-disciplinary approaches to solve pressing Big Data and Sensing problems in security, energy, and healthcare. Our advisory board includes two Nobel Laureates and a Draper Prize winner. 

Rhombus compensates, motivates, and develops employees, who are trusted, empowered, and involved. Employees have clear roles and expectations – and their roles are flexible enough to move at the speed of innovation in order to meet and exceed client expectations. We have a unique culture of global purpose, rooted in the innovation and progress of Silicon Valley. 

Rhombus knows that diversity is a condition for success. We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.