Head of Sector Sales - Defence in Hull

Head of Sector Sales - Defence in Hull

Hull Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic growth in the defence sector and shape impactful partnerships.
  • Company: Join Arco, the UK's leading safety experts with a proud 140-year legacy.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, commission, generous holiday, and excellent pension scheme.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusion and personal development at Arco.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-critical sector while leading high-performing teams.
  • Qualifications: Senior commercial leadership experience, ideally in Defence or related sectors.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ 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 include:

  • 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

On top of working for the UK’s leading integrated health and safety experts, you’ll also receive:

  • 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’re proud to have employees who have worked for us for 40 years

The ideal Head of Sector - Defence will be/have:

  • 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

With a proud 140-year legacy, you’ll be part of something special when you join the UK’s leading safety experts. As the only integrated safety products and services business, Arco’s size, scale and reputation are why we have such an impressive portfolio of satisfied customers. It’s an exciting time for us, and whatever your role, you’ll play a part in Arco’s journey to become more profitable and sustainable. To drive a performance culture, we consistently invest in our people to ensure we push for shared success. We respect and value everyone’s unique skills, experience and ideas so you’ll have ample opportunity to help shape our future growth and be rewarded for delivering against our targets. At Arco, inclusion means ensuring everyone feels valued, respected and able to be their best. We celebrate the unique skills, experiences and perspectives each colleague brings, and we’re committed to creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. As part of our journey to everyday inclusion, we recognise that individual needs may vary. If you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process, please let us know. Be Safe, Be Yourself, Be Your Best.

Head of Sector Sales - Defence in Hull employer: Arco

Arco is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead in the defence sector while being part of the UK's leading integrated health and safety experts. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a supportive work culture, and a comprehensive benefits package including competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and professional development resources, Arco fosters an environment where every team member can thrive and make a meaningful impact. Join us in shaping the future of safety and enjoy the rewards of your contributions in a mission-critical industry.

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Contact Details:

Arco Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Sector Sales - Defence in Hull

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence sector. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that dream role!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their market position and recent developments in the defence sector. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to show how you can drive growth and value.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've built high-performing teams and driven results in previous roles. Use metrics to back up your achievements — numbers speak volumes in the commercial world.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. 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 Sales - Defence in Hull

Commercial Strategy Development
Sales Leadership
Team Coaching and Development
Performance Management
Pipeline Management
Contracting Expertise
Pricing Strategy

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in the defence sector. We want to see how your skills align with our mission and the specific requirements of the Head of Sector role.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading high-performing teams, so don’t hold back! Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven results in previous roles. We love to see a strong track record!

Be Data-Driven:Since this position involves delivering revenue and margin targets through data-led growth plans, make sure to include any relevant metrics or achievements that demonstrate your ability to use data effectively in your past roles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of partnerships in the defence sector!

How to prepare for a job interview at Arco

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 partnerships.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

Be ready 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 that aligns with the company's goal of maximising commercial impact.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully navigated complex environments or influenced key stakeholders, highlighting your ability to balance strategy with operational excellence.

Align with Company Values

Familiarise yourself with the company’s commitment to inclusion and employee development. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to a supportive environment and help shape future growth while respecting diverse perspectives.