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- Tasks: Lead and shape a new defence practice in a fast-growing digital SME.
- Company: Dynamic UK digital SME with a strong focus on defence and healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, significant autonomy, and long-term growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building relationships and influencing defence growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development within defence and a strong network.
- Other info: Direct access to CEO and opportunity to define your role.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 150000 ÂŁ per year.
This is a rare chance to build and shape a defence practice from the ground up inside a fast-growing UK digital SME that already has real operational credibility in defence. The business is ~3 years old, founder-led, delivery-focused, and already split between healthcare and defence. It is now making a deliberate, funded push into wider MOD and Defence Digital, off the back of a flagship operational programme that has moved from prototype into full production.
This role is about presence, access, and influence, not admin or pipeline theatre. You will:
- Act as the senior defence-facing figurehead for the business
- Open doors across MOD, Defence Digital, and adjacent defence stakeholders
- Build relationships at the right level where brand recognition doesn’t yet exist
- Translate SME capability into trust and relevance with senior defence buyers
- Help shape how the business positions, bids, and grows in defence
- Work directly with the CEO and CCO to define what “good” looks like in defence growth
This role is deliberately title-agnostic. What matters is who you are, not what your last business card said. You are likely to be:
- A senior BD / capture / defence growth leader
- Currently (or recently) inside a large SI, prime, or upper-mid-tier consultancy
- Increasingly frustrated by bureaucracy, slow pace, or lack of autonomy
- Comfortable being the first or early hire in a new defence practice
- Confident operating without a famous brand behind you
You probably have:
- A credible black book across MOD / Defence Digital / defence programmes
- Experience selling digital, software, or complex transformation, not just bodies
- The judgement to know who matters and who doesn’t
- Enough confidence in your own ability to back yourself in an SME environment
This is not a turnaround - the company already delivers in defence. You’ll have direct CEO access and genuine influence. You can help define the role, not just inherit it. The culture is adult, pragmatic, and impact-driven. Long-term upside is real for the right person as the business scales.
The CEO is explicit: this hire is part of building a future leadership bench, not just filling a gap.
Package:
- Base salary: broadly £80,000 – £150,000 (flexible for the right person)
- Significant autonomy and visibility
- Long-term growth potential as the defence side of the business scales
Business Development Director employer: Frontier Resourcing
Contact Detail:
Frontier Resourcing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships that can open doors for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you’re chatting with industry folks, make sure to highlight your experience and insights in defence. Share your thoughts on current trends or challenges in the sector. This will help you establish credibility and make you memorable to key decision-makers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in contributing to their defence practice. A well-timed email can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s recent projects and understand their position in the defence market. Be ready to discuss how your skills can help them grow and succeed. And remember, we love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Defence: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the defence sector shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission and how you can contribute to building our defence practice from the ground up.
Be Authentic: We’re looking for genuine individuals, so don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. Share your unique journey and what makes you the right fit for this role, rather than just listing your qualifications.
Highlight Your Network: Since this role is all about presence and influence, make sure to mention your connections within MOD and Defence Digital. We want to know how you can leverage your black book to open doors and build relationships that matter.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to customise your application for us. Reflect on how your skills and experiences specifically relate to the challenges and opportunities outlined in the job description. Apply through our website to ensure we see your tailored approach!
How to prepare for a job interview at Frontier Resourcing
✨Know Your Defence Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends and challenges within the MOD and Defence Digital sectors. Familiarise yourself with recent projects and initiatives that are relevant to the company’s goals. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you speak confidently about how you can contribute.
✨Showcase Your Network
Since this role is all about presence and influence, be prepared to discuss your connections within the defence community. Highlight specific relationships you've built and how they could benefit the company. This demonstrates your ability to open doors and build trust with key stakeholders.
✨Articulate Your Vision
Think about what 'good' looks like in defence growth and be ready to share your vision during the interview. Discuss how you would position the business and what strategies you would implement to drive success. This shows that you’re not just a follower but a leader who can shape the future of the practice.
✨Emphasise Your Autonomy
Given the company's focus on autonomy and impact, share examples from your past where you thrived in less bureaucratic environments. Talk about how you took initiative and drove results without needing a well-known brand behind you. This will resonate well with their culture and expectations.