Account Director

Account Director

Full-Time 80000 - 110000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead account management and develop new opportunities in the defence sector.
  • Company: Dynamic technology and consulting firm specialising in UK defence and national security.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, strong pension, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Other info: Be part of a small, senior team at an exciting stage of market expansion.
  • Why this job: Join a pivotal role in a fast-growing sector with significant career opportunities.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in defence business development and current SC clearance required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 110000 £ per year.

  • Senior Business Development Manager / Account Director, Defence and National Security
  • Manchester (with travel) | £80,000 – £110,000 + bonus

SC clearance essential, DV highly desirable i O Associates is seeking a senior commercial professional to join a dynamic technology and consulting firm specialising in UK defence and national security.

Defence is one of the fastest-growing sectors within the business, and this position is pivotal to accelerating that growth.

You will become part of a small, senior team at an exciting stage as the market begins to expand, offering significant opportunity.

About the role

This senior individual contributor role reports directly to the Director responsible for this business area.

The position involves an even balance between managing and expanding existing defence client relationships and developing new opportunities from the ground up.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead account management for existing defence clients, overseeing relationships from opportunity identification and proposal development through to successful delivery.
  • Develop new routes to market within the MOD, its affiliated organisations, and major defence suppliers and primes. National Armements Director network is hugely benifitial.
  • Drive prime partnerships, collaborate with bid consortia, and secure positions on defence frameworks.
  • Shape and promote innovative propositions tailored to defence clients, working closely with internal teams to create solutions that meet genuine client needs.
  • Contribute to the broader defence and national security growth strategy.

Essential experience and qualifications

  • Minimum of 8 years’ experience in UK defence and national security business development, account management, or go-to-market roles within consulting, technology, or prime contractors.
  • Current and valid SC clearance; DV clearance is highly desirable.
  • Established and active network across UK defence and national security, including direct engagement with primes and senior MOD stakeholders.
  • Proven track record of growing accounts and securing new business within the defence sector.
  • Experience in technology adoption, digital transformation, or organisational change within government settings is advantageous.

What we offer

A competitive salary of £80,000 to £110,000 (depending on experience), an annual bonus scheme, a strong pension plan, private healthcare, and 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.

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Account Director employer: IO Associates

Join a leading engineering organisation that values innovation and excellence, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions directly impact high-performance solutions in safety-critical environments. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor fellow engineers and shape technical direction while working in an Agile/SAFe environment. Located in the UK, this role provides a unique chance to be part of cutting-edge projects in defence, aerospace, and industrial technology, ensuring a rewarding and meaningful career path.

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Contact Details:

IO Associates Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Account Director

Account Management
Business Development
Client Relationship Management
Proposal Development
Market Development
Partnership Development
Defence Sector Knowledge