At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic growth in the defence sector and drive high-performance teams.
- Company: Join a leading company shaping the future of defence partnerships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible location across the UK with opportunities for national travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-critical sector with exceptional customer service.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in B2B, ideally in Defence or related sectors.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is more than a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to shape the future of partnerships in the defence sector at a strategic level. We are seeking a commercially driven and strategically focused Head of Sector to lead growth across one of our most critical markets - Defence. Operating at the heart of a fast‑moving and highly complex environment, you will define and deliver the commercial strategy that drives sustainable revenue growth, strengthens margins, and creates lasting customer value. From influencing key defence stakeholders to aligning sales, supply chain, and operational delivery, you will own sector performance end‑to‑end. This role demands a leader who can balance strategic vision with operational excellence — someone who can position our business as a trusted strategic partner while ensuring exceptional customer service at every stage. If you thrive on building high‑impact relationships, leading cross‑functional teams, and delivering results in a mission‑critical sector, this is your chance to make a real impact. The role will involve national travel to customer sites with several direct reports and a wider team spread across the UK. Therefore, our new Head of Sector can be based anywhere in the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Delivering sector revenue, margin, and pipeline targets through data‑led growth plans
- Building and leading a high‑performing sales team, coaching and developing National Account Managers to maximise commercial impact, accountability, and engagement.
- Driving high‑performance culture, coaching teams to maximise commercial impact
- Building and converting strategic pipelines, ensuring forecast accuracy and governance discipline
- Leading cross‑functional execution across sales, operations, and supply chain
- Developing contract structures and pricing models, balancing competitiveness and profitability
- Embedding commercial controls to protect revenue, margin, and contract compliance
- Strengthening vendor and partner relationships to unlock incremental value
- Championing strategic customer engagement and consistent delivery excellence
Benefits
- A competitive starting salary plus circa 25% OTE in potential commission and a car/ car allowance!
- 32 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays
- Opportunity to purchase 5 additional days annual leave each calendar year (subject to qualifying salary)
- 2 fully paid Community Volunteering days every year
- An excellent pension (up to 8% Arco contribution) and x4 Life Assurance scheme
- A huge range of discounts to help with cost of living via Perkbox plus Employee Discount on Arco products
- Free, 24‑hour access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Health Cash Plan where we’ll reimburse up to 100% of everyday healthcare costs
- Access to our Learning Management System, to support your personal and career development
- Long‑term service awards – we’ve proud to have employees who have worked for us for 40 years
Qualifications
- Senior commercial leadership experience in B2B, ideally Defence, H&S, or PPE sectors
- Proven delivery of profitable growth, margin improvement, and target achievement
- Strong track record in sector strategy development and pipeline conversion
- Experience leading high‑performing teams and influencing in matrix environments
- Expertise in contracting, pricing strategy, and commercial governance
- Understanding of defence procurement frameworks and customer requirements
- Experience aligning commercial delivery with S&OP and operational capability
Head of Sector - Defence employer: ARCO Limited
As a leading player in the defence sector, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance culture and prioritises employee growth. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to personal development through our Learning Management System, we empower our team to thrive in a dynamic environment. Our inclusive work culture, coupled with unique benefits like community volunteering days and a robust pension scheme, makes us an attractive choice for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sector - Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or at networking events, share your insights on the defence market. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also positions you as a thought leader in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s strategic goals in the defence sector. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their objectives. We want to see you shine and make a lasting impression!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sector - Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Sector - Defence. Highlight your senior commercial leadership experience and any relevant achievements in the defence sector. We want to see how you’ve driven profitable growth and led high-performing teams!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced key stakeholders and delivered results in complex environments. Let us know how you can shape our future partnerships!
Showcase Your Strategic Vision:In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us your strategic vision for the defence sector. How would you approach building and converting strategic pipelines? We’re looking for someone who can balance operational excellence with a clear commercial strategy.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at ARCO Limited
✨Know Your Sector Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the defence sector. Understand current trends, key players, and challenges. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can drive growth and build relationships in this complex environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your approach to leading high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've coached and developed team members in the past, and how you plan to foster a high-performance culture in this role.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would define and deliver a commercial strategy for the defence sector. Be ready to present your ideas on building and converting strategic pipelines, ensuring forecast accuracy, and embedding commercial controls.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-world challenges. Prepare scenarios where you've influenced stakeholders, strengthened vendor relationships, or navigated complex contract structures. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
