At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of Defence capability in the Drone sector and build strategic relationships.
- Company: Rapidly expanding defence technology business with a focus on advanced airborne capabilities.
- Benefits: Circa £80,000 salary, 25 days holiday, company bonus, and private medical cover.
- Other info: Flexible role with international travel and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Influence Defence procurement and work with cutting-edge aerospace technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in RAF leadership roles and strong operational credibility required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
Business Development Manager (Defence & Aerospace) vacancy in Bristol or Swindon (224jc)
Business Development Manager (Defence & Aerospace) (224jc) – Bristol or Swindon - Circa £80,000 + Excellent Benefits Package
A superb opportunity for an RAF officer looking to shape the future of Defence capability in the Drone sector and you will ideally be based closer to Bristol.
Are you a former RAF Squadron Leader, senior Flight Lieutenant or Wing Commander with strong operational credibility and an extensive MOD network?
Have you spent time within capability development, programmes, requirements, innovation, procurement or headquarters appointments and are now looking to influence Defence from industry?
If so, this could be exactly the opportunity you've been waiting for.
Our client is a rapidly expanding defence technology business delivering advanced airborne capabilities to military and government customers around the world.
They are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to become the recognised Air Domain lead across the UK, Middle East and Africa.
The Opportunity
This is far more than a traditional sales role.
You will become the trusted face of the business across the RAF and wider Defence community, building long-term relationships with senior military officers, Front Line Commands, procurement organisations and government agencies.
You’ll help shape future capability requirements, influence procurement programmes and work alongside engineering teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions to customers operating in demanding environments.
You’ll also represent the business internationally, supporting expansion into Middle Eastern and African defence markets together with governments responsible for protecting critical national infrastructure.
The Role
You’ll be responsible for
- Developing strategic relationships across the RAF and UK MOD
- Identifying future opportunities before formal procurement begins
- Leading customer engagement from initial concept through to contract award
- Working closely with engineering and technical teams to translate operational requirements into practical solutions
- Supporting bids, demonstrations and customer trials
- Representing the company at UK and international defence exhibitions and trade events
- Helping shape future business strategy across the UK, Middle East and Africa
The role will involve regular travel throughout the UK, particularly to RAF Stations, High Wycombe, MOD establishments and Defence industry events, together with occasional international travel across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Who We’re Looking For
You’ll probably have experience in areas such as
- Squadron Command
- Capability Development
- Air Command
- Defence Procurement
- Programme Delivery
- Operational Planning
- ISR
- ISTAR
- Air Mobility
- UAS / Autonomous Systems
- Electronic Warfare
- Defence Innovation
- Headquarters Staff Appointments
You’ll be comfortable engaging with senior officers, government officials and industry leaders and possess the credibility to open doors that others cannot.
Commercial business development experience is desirable but certainly not essential.
We’re much more interested in your ability to build trusted relationships, understand Defence procurement and recognise future opportunities.
You will also need to hold or be able to hold UK SC clearance as a minimum.
Ideal Background
We’re particularly interested in speaking with former
- RAF Squadron Leaders
- Senior Flight Lieutenants
- Wing Commanders
- Air Capability Officers
- ISTAR specialists
- Intelligence Officers
- Engineering Officers
- Battlespace Management Officers
- Programme Managers
- Defence Equipment & Support personnel
- Officers who have worked within Air Command or Strategic Command
What’s on Offer?
- Circa £80,000 salary, with excellent benefits package
- 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
- Company bonus
- Pension matched up to 10%
- Private medical and dental cover, which can cover your family
- Career progression within a rapidly growing defence technology business
- Opportunity to influence future Defence capability
- International travel
- Exposure to cutting-edge aerospace and defence technology
- Flexible, autonomous role with genuine strategic influence
- Why Veterans Excel in This Role
This position is ideally suited to someone who understands how Defence really works.
Your ability to build relationships, navigate complex stakeholder environments, understand military capability requirements and communicate confidently with senior leaders will be invaluable.
If you’ve spent your RAF career bringing people together to deliver operational capability, you’ll already possess many of the skills needed to succeed.
Interested?
If you’re ready to move from delivering capability within the RAF to helping shape the next generation of capability for the RAF and allied nations, we’d love to hear from you.
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Business Development Manager (Defence & Aerospace) vacancy in Bristol or Swindon (224jc) employer: Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd
Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values precision and quality in the field of CAD compliance. With competitive salaries and benefits like a 4% employer pension contribution and life assurance, employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills in a dynamic environment, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the North Midlands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager (Defence & Aerospace) vacancy in Bristol or Swindon (224jc)
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We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager (Defence & Aerospace) vacancy in Bristol or Swindon (224jc)
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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Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
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✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
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✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
