Director of Business Development (Aerospace and Defence)

Quick Release (An Alten Company) QR's reputation for product data management and consultancy has put us at the vanguard of transforming the automotive, aerospace and robotics industries across the globe, as they seek to build better products and a more sustainable future. As a team, we are particularly excited to be supporting the development of some truly planet-changing products, including connected, electric and solar vehicles and an increasingly diverse range of new technologies. QR's mission is to enhance competitive advantage by bringing products to market faster and more efficiently. We do this by improving engineering data quality and flow through every part of a business from design to line and forward into in-service upgrades and maintenance. Operationally our expertise is clustered around Master Product Data, Prototype Build and Launch, and Production, Service and Maintenance, while strategically we drive change through Operational Performance Improvement, and Enterprise Lifecycle Transformation.

We are seeking a UK Director of Business Development who can lead our business efforts within Aerospace and Defence. As part of the leadership team for the Global Sales & Marketing function, your main goal is to drive future revenue growth through generation of high-quality leads, boosting conversions and increasing revenue. With key accounts focus to achieve sales opportunities through existing client expansion and new client acquisition. The success of this role will not simply be measured by revenue growth, but also by the need to increase our delivery teams due to the volume of opportunity that sales brings into the business - through qualified leads passed to core business development teams and improved conversion rates. As the Global Sales & Marketing function continues to mature, it will be important to update and continuously improve our business development plan.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Growth: Assist in developing QR growth and sales strategy. Define and execute business development strategies to accelerate growth across aerospace, defence, and high technology sectors. Build a lead generation plan (in conjunction with business unit owners) in support of target account prioritization.
• Relationship Management: Leverage an existing network and nurture referral channels to enhance QR brand visibility. Develop and maintain long-term relationships with new and existing clients, partners, and industry stakeholders. Continue to build a strong network, including developing a pipeline of referral Partners.
• Lead-generation: Research, plan and implement new target market initiatives in conjunction with Country Directors. Identify new prospects and potential clients. Generate new business leads and opportunities, follow-up on and set-up new business meetings. Partner with Account Managers to identify and drive expansion opportunities within existing accounts.
• Driving success: Lead, develop and mentor the business development team and provide close support to QR core business development teams with flexibility to support new business opportunities. Manage sales forecasts and actively work towards goal achievement. Deliver to agreed sales targets and objectives.
• Business development collaboration: Develop, maintain and continuously improve new business development sales capabilities. Prepare and present tailored client presentations and proposals. Lead contract negotiations and close high-value deals. Marketing alignment. Be a thought leader, understanding market trends, keeping abreast of industry news, and organizational relevance to QR services that help steer our clients journey. Work closely with the Marketing team to ensure that we are targeting the right customers through appropriate sales channels and campaigns. Provide continual feedback to the Marketing team about customer needs and trends to help them improve our Marketing collateral and future planning. Represent the company at industry and client-facing events to build relationships and identify new business opportunities.

Qualifications and experience

• Proven experience in a leadership business development position with experience managing cross-functional teams and mentoring staff.
• Background in Defence and Security i.e. ex. Military or worked in the Defence sector (desirable).
• A strong understanding of how industry works and the differentiation between Primes and SMEs and how they work together etc.
• A deep understanding of the MOD landscape and the wider workings of the Front Line Commands and UK Special Forces.
• Strong experience of working with both Primes and the MOD, ideally in a technical or program management capacity.
• Strong network across the Aerospace and Defence landscape, both within industry and the stakeholder community.
• Understanding and experience of working with and optimizing current processes, including workflow analysis within governance, frameworks and benchmark against industry best practices.
• Experience both in developing existing accounts and generating new business within this landscape.
• A good understanding of the procurement process and frameworks.
• Knowledge of market trends and sector insights.

Key skills and personal attributes

• Good understanding of commercial contracts and negotiation.
• Understanding of business development process, such as Shipley.
• Good understanding of the Defence and Security sector.
• Good understanding of the procurement process and competitive frameworks.
• Strategically minded, able to turn goals into practical actions.
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Results-focused, always looking for ways to boost performance and efficiency.
• Strong decision-making ability, with experience developing and executing business strategies.
• Excellent ability to identify, negotiate, and secure strategic partnerships and deals.
• Ability to communicate confidently with employees and customers at all levels.
• Confident, self-assured and a good eye for detail.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits

• An extensive package of other benefits.
• Pension is 5% standard, up to 6% matched.
• Varied and interesting projects with a broad remit for improvement, and some incredible products.
• Career progression based on merit, plus a range of progression pathways (i.e no glass-ceilings or pigeon-holing).
• Ongoing learning and development, irrespective of seniority, plus 360 feedback.
• A blend of on-site, off-site and WFH (depending on business needs) plus travel opportunities.
• A highly motivated, diverse, talented and supportive team with a positive "people-focused" company culture.

QR Values

Being the best at what we do is important to us (we've just been named amongst the FT's leading management consultancies for the third year running) but Quick Release has always been about more than project delivery. We can only be the best by looking after our team and we are very much a "people-first" business. We offer an environment of support, inclusion and encouragement, where our people can be authentic, be heard, enjoy their work and thrive. Team-building, learning, development and career progression are at the core of what we do, and we take great pride in our positive company culture. We also take pride in our diversity and we respect and value multiple approaches and points of view. We challenge inequality in all its forms, in others, and especially in ourselves. We're not perfect, but we want to be better and do better, and we are fully committed to this in our actions as well as words.

As an equal opportunities employer, Quick Release will never discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background, marital status, or disability status. Quick Release Limited are an Armed Forces friendly employer. We welcome applications from reservists, former or existing Armed Forces personnel who are interested in a career in Product Data Management. If at any point throughout the recruitment process you require any reasonable adjustments to be made, please do let us know and we will be happy to help. We're inviting candidates with 8+ years of relevant experience to apply for this role. Please see our other openings for roles requiring 0-5 years' experience.

Why Join Us? At ALTEN Group, you’ll collaborate with international teams, gain global exposure, and be a business development pioneer within the group. We invest in your personal and professional growth through opportunity, practical training, and meaningful travel.