Business Development Director - UK Defence

This role grants you full end-to-end ownership of our strategic trajectory within UK Defence. Own the Strategic Growth Agenda: Lead the UK Defence sales cycle from initial market engagement through to securing the contract, with full autonomy to define and execute the strategic approach necessary for high-value wins. Be the Voice of the Customer and Solution Architect: Directly engage with our global engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain leadership to translate complex customer needs into disruptive, rapid-response solutions that leverage our entire Product Realization Value Chain. Cultivate High-Value Relationships: Build and nurture multi-level, executive relationships with both external customers and key internal teams, becoming the recognised expert in our end-to-end value stream. Market Leadership: Maintain comprehensive market knowledge to identify and prioritize emerging risks and opportunities, informing and leading our overall market development efforts. Supportive leadership teams that value work-life balance through a flexible work environment The ideal candidate will be an established strategic leader capable of thriving in a fast-paced environment. Tier 1 leadership experience driving significant revenue and strategic growth within the UK Defence sector. A well-established professional network and a demonstrable track record of securing substantial, multi-year contracts within the UK Defence industry. Proven expertise in applying strategic selling principles and methodologies to achieve business development targets. Education: Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) in a relevant discipline, coupled with progressive experience in a business development or sales leadership role. Executive Presence: Exceptional executive-level communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and build credibility with C-suite and senior military stakeholders. Strategic Acumen: Robust analytical skills with the capacity to interpret complex market trends, competitive dynamics, and customer intelligence to inform high-stakes strategic decision-making. Entrepreneurial Drive: Strong self-management skills with a proven ability to independently drive complex assignments to completion with minimal oversight. Influence & Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, navigate complex organizational landscapes effectively, and thrive in an agile, high-velocity environment where strategic decisions are made quickly, rewarding entrepreneurial drive.