At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development in space and defence, shaping commercial strategies and partnerships.
- Company: Innovative company at the forefront of space and defence technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of the industry.
- Other info: Opportunity for operational leadership and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a growing market with real impact on strategic programmes.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business development within regulated markets and strong networking skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are looking for a senior business development leader with genuine credibility in space and/or defence, the discipline to operate in long-cycle, IP-sensitive markets, and a clear startup mindset.
Requirements:
- Senior BD / commercial track record selling complex, high-value systems into space, defence or adjacent regulated markets.
- Demonstrable network among UK and Western European primes, defence customers and programme offices.
- Comfort with long sales cycles, formal tenders, complex procurement and multi-stakeholder governance.
What the job involves:
The Commercial Lead is accountable for converting Optera’s technical advantage into a credible, defensible commercial position across its active business lines. You will own the go-to-market: positioning, target account strategy, partnerships with primes, and entry onto strategic programmes — starting in Western Europe and the UK, then expanding into the United States.
The CEO will continue to lead the closure of in-flight opportunities through 2026; this role builds the forward pipeline and the commercial machinery that allows Optera to scale into 2027 and beyond. It is a senior, strategic seat shaping how the business enters a complex, IP-sensitive, regulated market — not a transactional sales role.
You'll see and shape every part of the business — commercial, technical, financial and cultural — at the moment it scales. There is a genuine path to broader operational leadership over time, and the equity case that goes with it.
Commercial Lead (Manchester) employer: Foundation Partners
Optera is an exceptional employer for the Commercial Lead role in Manchester, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the space and defence sectors. Employees benefit from a clear path for professional growth, with opportunities to shape strategic initiatives and influence the company's direction as it scales. The unique blend of a startup mindset and access to high-value markets ensures that team members are engaged in meaningful work that drives both personal and organisational success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Lead (Manchester)
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We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Lead (Manchester)
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.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Foundation Partners, 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.
How to prepare for a job interview at Foundation Partners
✨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!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨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 Foundation Partners’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.
