At a Glance
- Tasks: Support business development in the UK Defence Land market and build valuable relationships.
- Company: A growing specialist consultancy with a focus on defence.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, annual bonus, pension, holiday allowance, and professional development support.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with technical teams.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and influence meaningful defence programmes while shaping business growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in the UK defence sector and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
A growing specialist consultancy is looking for a Defence Business Development Manager to support continued growth across the UK Defence Land market. This is a strong opportunity for someone with experience in defence who enjoys building relationships, spotting new opportunities and working with technical teams to turn capability into new business.
The role would suit someone who understands the UK defence environment and wants to play a visible part in developing relationships across customers, partners and the wider supply chain. This is not a high-volume sales role. It is a relationship-led position, focused on understanding customer challenges, identifying opportunities and supporting the development of credible technical solutions.
The role
- You will support business development activity across the UK Defence Land market, helping to identify, qualify and develop new opportunities.
- You will build relationships with defence customers, partners and supply chain organisations, while working closely with internal teams to understand technical capability and position it effectively.
- The role will involve customer engagement, early-stage opportunity shaping, supporting bids and proposals, and helping the business understand where future growth opportunities are likely to come from.
- Over time, you will have the opportunity to influence the company's approach to the Land market and play an important role in its continued growth.
What we're looking for
- You will need experience in the UK defence sector, ideally with exposure to the Land domain.
- This could come from business development, account management, capture, programme delivery, consultancy, engineering, project management, military or MOD experience.
- Relevant backgrounds could include:
- Land Systems
- Armoured vehicles or land mobility
- Soldier systems
- C4ISR
- Battlefield digitisation
- Autonomous or uncrewed systems
- Safety, assurance or systems engineering
- MOD, DE&S, Army or defence supply chain environments
- Technical consultancy or engineering services
- You do not need to be a senior sales director. More important is that you understand how defence works, can build credibility with customers and are comfortable working with technical teams to shape useful solutions.
- Existing relationships across the Defence Land community would be valuable, but this could also suit someone stepping up from a delivery, account management, capture-support or consultancy role.
What you'll bring
- Good understanding of the UK defence market
- Interest or experience in Defence Land / Land Systems
- Confidence building relationships with customers and partners
- Ability to spot, qualify and develop opportunities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Commercial awareness
- Ability to work closely with technical teams on bids and proposals
- Collaborative, long-term approach to business development
- Eligibility for UK Security Clearance
Why apply?
This is a chance to join a growing consultancy where you can have real influence. You will work with experienced technical teams, support meaningful defence programmes and help shape an important area of growth for the business. The package includes hybrid working, annual bonus, pension, holiday allowance, life insurance and professional development support.
Business Development Executive (Homeworking) (Permanent) in Bristol employer: IO Associates
Join a dynamic and growing consultancy that values your expertise in the UK defence sector, particularly within Land Systems. With a strong emphasis on relationship-building and collaboration, you will have the opportunity to influence key business strategies while enjoying a supportive work culture that promotes professional development and offers flexible hybrid working arrangements. The comprehensive benefits package, including an annual bonus and life insurance, further enhances the rewarding experience of contributing to meaningful defence programmes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Executive (Homeworking) (Permanent) in Bristol
✨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 on LinkedIn. Building relationships is key to landing that Business Development Executive role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the defence industry! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your interest in Defence Land Systems. Share your insights and experiences to demonstrate that you’re not just looking for any job, but this specific one.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects in the UK Defence Land market. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their needs and how you can contribute to their growth. Confidence and knowledge will set you apart!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you ace your application and connect with the right opportunities. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making an impact in the defence sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Executive (Homeworking) (Permanent) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience in the UK defence sector and any relevant projects you've worked on. 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 the Defence Land market and how you can contribute to our growth. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills:Since this role is all about relationships, make sure to highlight your ability to connect with customers and partners. Share examples of how you've successfully built and maintained professional relationships in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at IO Associates
✨Know Your Defence Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the UK defence sector, especially the Land domain. Familiarise yourself with current trends, challenges, and key players in the market. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the company's needs.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
Since this role is all about relationship-building, try to connect with current employees or industry professionals before your interview. Use platforms like LinkedIn to reach out and ask for insights about the company culture and expectations. This can give you a leg up during your interview.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Be ready to discuss technical solutions and how they relate to customer challenges. Brush up on relevant technical terms and concepts, especially those related to Land Systems and defence technologies. This will show that you can effectively collaborate with technical teams.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills are crucial for this role. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex ideas to different stakeholders in the past. Practising your responses out loud can also help you articulate your thoughts clearly during the interview.
