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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative partnerships in aerospace and defence, driving innovative strategies.
- Company: BUOYANCY AEROSPACE is a fast-growing innovator in aerospace and defence, founded in 2022.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and a culture of innovation without office politics.
- Why this job: Join a purpose-driven team redefining industry standards with AI and strategic partnerships.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in high-stakes industries; strong strategic acumen and communication skills required.
- Other info: Fluency in English is mandatory; additional languages are a plus. Unique application process.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Head of Strategic Partnerships at BUOYANCY AEROSPACE
Location: United Kingdom (mandatory), preferably London; regular travel to production facilities, customer locations, and strategic engagements both within and outside the UK, particularly the EU.
Salary: Annual base salary based on experience; additional performance-based annual bonus and lucrative long-term incentives.
Remark: Our culture is highly purpose-driven. If you seek meaningful work at the intersection of technology and defence, if you own your decisions and appreciate building and shaping, this is the place for you. Those looking for the comfort of a standard role are discouraged from applying.
About BUOYANCY AEROSPACE
BUOYANCY AEROSPACE was founded in 2022 to meet the rising demand for solutions in aerospace, space, and defence—markets underserved by a dysfunctional infrastructure in times of geopolitical rearrangement. We build and leverage AI for digital and physical solutions. We are proud to already contribute significantly to the most prestigious and complex aerospace, space, and defence platforms. We attract the most capable talent with integrity.
We are not a company of promises. With active production facilities in the UK and Germany and a growing workforce of currently >150, we are scaling rapidly, already delivering to our partners. Currently focused on structural components, we are rapidly evolving towards broader strategic and technological innovation leadership, aiming explicitly for IPO readiness and strategic optionality by 2030.
Our partners select us for our proven record of delivering perfect quality, on-time delivery (OTD), and competitive pricing driven by continuous efficiency gains. Additionally, unlike financial investor-owned companies with short-term exit strategies, we offer resilience, stability, and genuine long-term commitment, coupled with a culture of constant innovation and readiness to deliver now, not tomorrow.
The Role: Head of Strategic Partnerships
The founder/owner/CEO seeks an exceptional Head of Strategic Partnerships who will drive transformative commercial strategies, positioning BUOYANCY AEROSPACE to redefine global standards for strategic innovation and impact across the entire defence technology sector.
This role demands an uncompromisingly high-performance mindset with zero tolerance for mediocrity or small-business mentalities. You must balance a confidently presented, AI-driven visionary approach with a practical understanding of partners’ urgent procurement priorities, consistently reassuring stakeholders through our proven track record of quality, OTD, competitive pricing, and long-term reliability.
This role requires commitment as well as the intellectual calibre to engage at the highest levels and build strategic partnerships. You will need to deliver profound strategic insight into global aerospace and defence trends.
The Head of Strategic Partnerships will report directly to the founder/owner/CEO, ensuring strategic alignment, rapid decision-making, and direct influence on the future trajectory of the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Close transformative, high-stakes partnerships with leading institutions of the free world.
- Collaborate closely with the CEO to shape and execute the vision, establishing BUOYANCY AEROSPACE as the indispensable strategic partner in aerospace, space, and defence.
- Continuously develop and communicate an innovative company narrative that distinctly positions BUOYANCY AEROSPACE as an industry leader rather than follower.
- Engage and build significant relationships at the highest levels, including military leadership, government authorities, and top industry stakeholders.
- Lead procurement team engagements at existing partners, skilfully balancing visionary strategy with pragmatic execution.
- Identify and capitalise on long-term trends and technological advancements, with AI leadership as a cornerstone of our competitive advantage.
- Actively contribute to strategic planning and execution, driving IPO readiness and strategic optionality to maximize long-term valuation and impact.
- Challenge, refine, and elevate the CEO’s strategic ideas, consistently achieving outcomes exceeding initial expectations.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Exceptional strategic acumen, particularly regarding AI-driven technological advancements, capable of accurately anticipating aerospace and defence industry evolution through 2030, 2040, and beyond, while simultaneously driving a rapid, urgently required ramp-up for our strategic partners today—not tomorrow.
- Data-driven, compelling communicator with a proven ability to clearly articulate long-term strategic vision, fostering trust and securing transformative partnerships built on mutual understanding and shared ambition.
- Basic understanding of contract law, pricing, and estimating dynamics to effectively lead procurement communication and strategy.
- Proven capability to support and enhance a founder-driven brand with strength, loyalty, and strategic sensitivity.
- Clear understanding and direct experience in scaling companies towards IPO readiness or multi-billion-dollar valuations.
- English fluency at native or near-native proficiency is mandatory, including exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Additional language skills, particularly German, Polish, Italian, or French, are highly advantageous but not mandatory.
Preferred Educational Background
A Master’s degree in a STEM discipline from a leading global institution is preferred. If you are of the calibre we are looking for, you likely joined a leading university on scholarship and graduated at the top of your cohort. However, exceptional personal achievements, ambition, and demonstrated strategic intellect matter more decisively than formal credentials alone. Outstanding candidates from unconventional academic paths are equally welcomed and encouraged to apply.
Required Professional Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ proven experience in high-stakes industries (e.g. leading tech start-/scale-up, military, MBB, investment banking, or similar).
- Proven track record of leadership.
What We Offer
- Direct strategic ownership of building a globally leading defence tech innovator in a time of fundamental geopolitical change.
- Meritocratic, uncompromising, high-performance culture with unwavering standards for excellence and integrity.
- A unique team culture without office politics, a long-term perspective yet ultra-fast-paced, focused on enabling each other and delivering to our partners.
Application Process
To apply, submit a holistic application to ceo-office@buoyancy.com, including:
- Motivational letter (pdf, max 3 pages).
- Strategic vision document (pdf, max 10 pages), outlining your unfiltered analysis of global defence trends and your vision for our industry leadership. The document should be based on publicly available data and sophisticated assumptions.
- CV, including supporting references (pdf, max 3 pages).
Head of Strategic Partnerships employer: BUOYANCY AEROSPACE
Contact Detail:
BUOYANCY AEROSPACE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Partnerships
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the latest trends in aerospace and defense technology, especially those related to AI. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations with stakeholders and demonstrate your strategic insight during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network actively within the aerospace and defense sectors. Attend industry conferences, webinars, and events where you can meet potential partners and leaders. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and opportunities that align with BUOYANCY AEROSPACE's mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in high-stakes environments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully closed transformative partnerships or led strategic initiatives that resulted in significant impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand the unique challenges and procurement priorities of potential partners in the defense sector. Tailoring your approach to address these needs will position you as a valuable asset to BUOYANCY AEROSPACE and its strategic goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Partnerships
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Motivational Letter: Your motivational letter should reflect your passion for the aerospace and defence sectors. Clearly articulate why you are drawn to BUOYANCY AEROSPACE and how your vision aligns with their mission. Highlight your unique experiences and what makes you the ideal candidate for this high-stakes role.
Develop a Strategic Vision Document: This document is crucial. Provide an unfiltered analysis of global defence trends and articulate your vision for BUOYANCY AEROSPACE's industry leadership. Use publicly available data to support your insights and ensure your assumptions are sophisticated and well-reasoned.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight relevant experience in high-stakes industries. Emphasize your leadership roles, strategic acumen, and any experience related to AI-driven technological advancements. Keep it concise and within the 3-page limit.
Proofread and Format: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread all documents for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Ensure that your motivational letter, strategic vision document, and CV are well-formatted and professional. This reflects your attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
How to prepare for a job interview at BUOYANCY AEROSPACE
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, dive deep into BUOYANCY AEROSPACE's mission and values. They emphasize a purpose-driven culture, so be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with their commitment to meaningful work in technology and defense.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Acumen
Be ready to demonstrate your understanding of strategic partnerships and how they can drive innovation in the aerospace and defense sectors. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully built high-stakes partnerships or led transformative strategies.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
As a data-driven communicator, practice articulating your long-term vision for the industry. Use clear, compelling language to convey your insights on global aerospace trends and how BUOYANCY AEROSPACE can position itself as a leader.
✨Prepare for High-Level Engagements
Since this role involves engaging with military leadership and government authorities, think about how you would approach these conversations. Be prepared to discuss your experience in navigating complex stakeholder relationships and how you can reassure them of BUOYANCY AEROSPACE's reliability and quality.
