At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development activities in the UK Defence sector and drive growth.
- Company: Join Leidos, a leader in national security and defence solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical insurance, and 33 days annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the defence industry while developing strategic client relationships.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in UK Defence sales and strong relationship management skills.
The predicted salary is between 75800 - 99800 £ per year.
Location: Farnborough or Whiteley with travel required and flexibility to work from home dependent on business demands.
Salary: £75,800 – £99,800.
Leidos is currently seeking a Business Development Manager – Defence, aligned to our National Security and Defence (NS&D) Division covering the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. You will work with a team of Business Development professionals and report to the BD Director for NS&D.
The role you will play:
- Plan and lead BD activities that will contribute to our annual award targets in this strategic and fast‑growing area of the UK business.
- Develop and manage a pipeline of opportunities to support the next 2‑5 years business growth ambition, aligned to the UK strategy.
- Develop and maintain senior relationships with Defence clients positioning Leidos as a potential strategic supplier.
- Guide the Leidos bid teams in their pursuit and shaping of the campaign to propose differentiated client propositions.
- Identify and qualify opportunities that best match Leidos strengths and provide optimum outcomes for the client and us.
- Lead and execute significant new business campaigns in the UK Defence market.
- Operate effectively within a multi‑functional team as an effective leader and communicator.
The successful candidate will have:
- Substantial experience of successfully selling into the UK Defence market.
- Existing client relationships in the UK MOD.
- A track record of successfully driving business growth year on year and hitting targets.
- Demonstrable experience of success in leading and winning contracts valued more than £25m.
- Extensive knowledge of Government business development, contract awards, current procurement trends and customer buying behaviours.
- Experience of winning work on frameworks and then scaling the size of follow‑on awards in those areas.
- Proven experience of collaboratively creating compelling winning bids with partners.
- Excellent inter‑personal, presentation and verbal skills and an experienced negotiator.
- Tenacity and energy to maintain the momentum of multiple and concurrent pursuits.
- A track record of client and industry stakeholder engagement and relationship development.
- Expertise in motivating and mentoring agile teams to grow and change the business.
Domain Specific Requirements:
- Experienced Business Developer, Senior Account Manager or Capture Leader with a proven track record of successfully prosecuting and winning business in the UK MOD.
- Experience and understanding of the Defence Intelligence community is essential.
- Experience and understanding of the R&D/STS community and working with DSTL is highly desirable.
- Experience and understanding of Information Advantage concepts, technologies and customers is highly desirable.
- Experience of forming partnerships/consortiums to win opportunities is essential.
- Experience in formulating use cases for multi‑domain and digital transformation concept demonstrators is highly desirable.
- In‑depth understanding of the MOD's digital transformation programmes is desirable.
- Understanding of autonomous systems, ITSM, application of AI/ML technology (to solve problems) is desirable.
Clearance Required:
- Clearance to Start: SC
- Clearance for Role: DV
Benefits:
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Private Medical Insurance
- 33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
- Flexible benefits (life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy‑and‑sell holidays and cycle‑to‑work scheme)
- Flexi‑Time Working
Commitment to Diversity and Non‑Discrimination:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
We welcome applications from every part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. If you have a disability or need reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, we will respond in a way that best fits your needs.
Business Development Manager (Defence) employer: Fairygodboss
Leidos is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Farnborough or Whiteley, with the flexibility to work from home. Employees benefit from a comprehensive package including a contributory pension scheme, private medical insurance, and generous annual leave, all while being part of a diverse and inclusive culture that prioritises professional growth and development within the fast-paced Defence sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager (Defence)
✨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 have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you’re chatting with industry folks or at interviews, make sure to highlight your experience and successes in the UK Defence market. Share specific examples of how you've driven business growth and built strong client relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Leidos and understand their position in the Defence sector. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals and how you can contribute to their success. Tailor your pitch to show you’re the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're serious about joining us and makes it easier for us to track your progress. Plus, you’ll get the latest updates on any new opportunities that pop up!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager (Defence)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Manager role in Defence. Highlight your experience with the UK MOD and any relevant client relationships. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills can help us achieve our business growth ambitions. Keep it engaging and relevant to the Defence sector.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Include specific examples of how you've driven business growth or won significant contracts in the past. Numbers and results speak volumes to us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fairygodboss
✨Know Your Defence Landscape
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest trends and developments in the UK Defence market. Familiarise yourself with key players, procurement processes, and current projects within the Ministry of Defence. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Since existing client relationships are crucial for this role, be prepared to discuss your connections within the UK MOD. Highlight specific examples of how you've leveraged these relationships to drive business growth or secure contracts. This will illustrate your ability to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare Compelling Case Studies
Bring along examples of successful bids or campaigns you've led, especially those valued over £25m. Be ready to explain your strategy, the challenges faced, and how you overcame them. This will showcase your experience and ability to lead significant new business initiatives.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Business Development Manager, you'll need to operate effectively within multi-functional teams. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've motivated and mentored teams in the past. This will help convey your capability to guide bid teams and foster collaboration.
