At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development in the Defence Nuclear sector, shaping growth strategies and building partnerships.
- Company: Join CGI, a top-rated inclusive employer committed to diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, pension scheme, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in national defence while working with industry experts and cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic business development within defence or nuclear sectors is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
CGI is driving digital transformation across the UKs Defence Nuclear Enterprise, helping organisations strengthen operational resilience, embrace innovation and deliver critical national defence capabilities. As Business Development Director, you will play a pivotal role in expanding our presence in this strategically important market, shaping high-value opportunities and building trusted partnerships across defence and nuclear organisations.
You will have the autonomy to develop ambitious growth strategies, bring creative solutions to complex challenges and influence the future of secure digital services. Working alongside a collaborative network of industry experts, you will be empowered to turn strategic opportunities into lasting client relationships, profitable growth and meaningful outcomes for the UKs defence community.
Due to the secure nature of the programme, you will need to hold UK Security Clearance or be eligible to go through this clearance. This is a hybrid position.
Your future duties and responsibilities
In this role, you will lead CGIs business development strategy across the UK Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), identifying and securing strategic opportunities that accelerate growth and strengthen our market position. You will take ownership of developing senior client relationships, shaping innovative digital and technology propositions, and converting complex opportunities into profitable contracts. Working closely with CGIs consulting, technical and delivery specialists, you will have the freedom to influence market strategy, develop differentiated solutions and drive measurable commercial success.
As a key member of the Digital Experience Innovation (DXI) leadership team, you will collaborate across CGIs defence and nuclear capabilities to build compelling campaigns, establish strategic partnerships and lead multidisciplinary teams through the full business development lifecycle. You will be supported by experienced colleagues and an established network of industry expertise, enabling you to pursue ambitious growth opportunities while delivering lasting value for our clients.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead Grow: Own and execute CGIs Defence Nuclear Enterprise growth strategy, developing targeted account plans, market campaigns and commercial opportunities.
- Engage Influence: Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy, defence primes, nuclear organisations and strategic partners.
- Identify Shape: Proactively identify, qualify and influence high-value opportunities ahead of formal procurement, positioning CGI as a trusted technology and consulting partner.
- Innovate Differentiate: Collaborate with technical specialists to develop compelling propositions across digital transformation, cyber resilience, secure infrastructure, data and digital engineering.
- Develop Deliver: Lead strategic campaigns, competitive pursuits, bid teams and commercial negotiations through to successful contract award.
- Partner Collaborate: Strengthen relationships with industry partners, specialist SMEs and technology providers to create new routes to market and enhance CGIs capabilities.
- Represent Promote: Champion CGI through defence industry events, professional networks, thought leadership and strategic engagement activities.
- Own Optimise: Manage sales pipelines, forecasts, bid investment and commercial performance, delivering agreed contract value, revenue and margin objectives.
- Lead Inspire: Bring together multidisciplinary teams across CGI, encouraging collaboration, creative thinking and shared accountability for business success.
Required qualifications to be successful in this role
You will bring significant experience in strategic business development within defence, nuclear or similarly complex, highly regulated environments, combined with a proven ability to secure high-value technology and consulting contracts. Your commercial expertise, established industry relationships and understanding of defence procurement will enable you to identify opportunities, influence senior decision-makers and deliver sustainable growth. You will thrive in a collaborative environment where initiative, strategic thinking and the ability to bring people together are essential to success.
Essential skills and experience:
- Proven Business Development Success: Extensive experience securing complex, high-value contracts within defence, nuclear, IT services, systems integration or consulting.
- Defence Nuclear Market Knowledge: Direct experience in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, Royal Navy, submarine programmes or MOD, with strong knowledge of defence stakeholders, operational priorities and supply chains, and established relationships with defence primes, nuclear organisations and industry networks.
- Strategic Relationship Management: Demonstrable ability to build trusted relationships with senior government, military, commercial and industry stakeholders.
- Growth Strategy Campaign Leadership: Experience developing and executing go-to-market strategies, account growth plans and coordinated business development campaigns.
- Commercial Bid Management: Proven expertise in opportunity qualification, competitive bids, pricing strategies, contract negotiations and commercial risk management.
- Defence Procurement Expertise: Good understanding of MOD acquisition processes, procurement frameworks and prime contractor supply chains.
- Leadership Collaboration: Strong influencing, presentation and negotiation skills, with experience leading multidisciplinary pursuit teams.
- Digital Technology Awareness: Ability to articulate the business value of digital transformation, cyber security, data, software and secure technology solutions.
- Performance Pipeline Management: Proven ability to manage complex sales pipelines, deliver revenue and margin targets, and maintain accurate commercial forecasts.
- Security Mobility: Eligibility to obtain and maintain SC and DV security clearance as required, with flexibility to travel regularly to UK client locations.
Desirable experience and qualifications:
- Knowledge of secure-by-design principles, MOD information assurance, nuclear assurance, digital engineering or modelling and simulation.
- Experience contributing to defence industry bodies, professional forums or thought leadership initiatives.
- Relevant business, engineering, sales or nuclear qualifications, professional accreditation or equivalent experience.
- Existing SC or DV security clearance.
Together, as owners, lets turn meaningful insights into action. Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, youll reach your full potential because you are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life. Thats why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees. We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our companys strategy and direction.
Your work creates value. Youll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise. Youll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last. Youll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well-being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons.
Business Development Director – Defence & Nuclear in Plymouth employer: CGI
At CGI, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture. As a Platform Engineer in Glasgow, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including a strong pension scheme, private healthcare, and the opportunity to become a CGI Partner through our share scheme. With a commitment to employee growth and development, you'll have the freedom to innovate and make a meaningful impact while working alongside a diverse community of experts dedicated to shaping the future of technology.
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We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Director – Defence & Nuclear in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
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✨Portfolio of Projects
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