Business Development Manager Engineering / Defence in Lincoln

There's a certain kind of role that doesn't come up often. One where you're not just handed a patch to manage, but genuinely trusted to shape it. Where the conversations are thoughtful, considered, and often complex. And where, quietly but very deliberately, you're prepared for something bigger. This is one of those roles.

This is a specialist engineering business working in a high-assurance, highly regulated environment. The work they do isn't simple; customers rely on them because they get things right, technically, commercially, and operationally, and because they understand the weight of the decisions being made.

Growth here is deliberate and well planned. And as that continues, they're now looking to bring in a Business Development Executive who's ready to step into a more rounded, more impactful position. This isn't about chasing quick wins or high-volume sales. It's about managing complex, often multi-layered sales cycles where credibility, detail and patience matter.

You'll be working on opportunities that take time to develop, carefully navigating procurement processes, building relationships, and shaping solutions that genuinely meet customer needs. From the outset, you'll take ownership of the UK and European markets. That means nurturing existing relationships while also identifying and opening up new opportunities with large organisations operating in regulated and technically demanding environments.

You'll spend time understanding their challenges, earning trust, and positioning the business as a long-term partner. A significant part of your role will revolve around bids and tenders. You'll identify opportunities early, coordinate input from across the business, and build well-structured, commercially sound proposals. It's a role that requires organisation, attention to detail, and the ability to keep momentum under pressure when deadlines are tight and expectations are high.

Alongside delivery, there's a wider dimension to this role that makes it particularly interesting. You'll work closely with the Head of Business Development and Marketing, contributing to forecasting, planning and the overall direction of the function. Over time, you'll find yourself taking on more of this responsibility, naturally building towards a more senior position.

You'll also play a part in supporting the surrounding team. It's a small, capable group, and you'll offer guidance to more junior colleagues, sharing knowledge, helping to maintain consistency, and ensuring the fundamentals are done well.

Technically, this is a business where understanding the detail matters. You'll need to get to grips with a specialist product and service offering and feel comfortable discussing it with knowledgeable stakeholders, whether that's in a meeting, a presentation or as part of a tender process. You don't need to know everything on day one, but you do need the curiosity and ability to learn quickly.

The role is based in Lincoln, with regular UK and international travel, meeting customers, attending events, and representing the business externally.

In terms of background, you'll likely already be operating in a technical sales or business development role within a high-value, high-assurance environment. That might be engineering, manufacturing, defence, infrastructure, aerospace, energy, or any setting where compliance, precision and structured procurement are part of the landscape. You'll be comfortable managing longer sales cycles, building detailed proposals, and navigating complex stakeholder environments.

Just as importantly, you'll know how to build relationships, communicate with confidence, and bring people with you, both internally and externally. What matters most, though, is your trajectory. This role is designed for someone who's ready for the next step, someone who wants to broaden their impact, take on more responsibility, and grow into a senior leadership role in time. This role is a genuinely exciting step for the right person.