At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth in the UK Defence Land market by building relationships and identifying opportunities.
- Company: A growing consultancy with a focus on defence and innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, annual bonus, pension, holiday allowance, and professional development support.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence company strategy and enjoy career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while collaborating with experienced technical teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in the UK defence sector, particularly in Land Systems or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € 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 Manager - Defence 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 prioritises professional development and offers flexible hybrid working arrangements. Our comprehensive benefits package, including an annual bonus and life insurance, ensures that you are well taken care of as you contribute to meaningful defence programmes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Defence in Bristol
✨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, so let’s make sure we’re visible and approachable.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or partners, make sure to highlight your experience and knowledge of the UK defence market. Share insights on trends and challenges; it’ll show that you’re not just another candidate but someone who truly understands the landscape.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every conversation is an opportunity! Tailor your discussions based on who you’re speaking to. Whether it’s a customer or a partner, understanding their specific needs and how you can help them will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for job openings! Applying directly through us not only shows your interest but also gives you a better chance to stand out. Let’s make sure we’re taking every opportunity to land that dream role!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Defence in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Defence Business Development Manager. 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 industry and how you can contribute to our growth. Be sure to mention any existing relationships you have in the Defence Land community.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role is all about building relationships, make sure your written application reflects your strong communication skills. Keep it clear, concise, and engaging – we want to see your personality come through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
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
If possible, try to connect with current employees or industry contacts before your interview. This can give you insights into the company culture and specific challenges they face, which you can reference during your conversation to show your genuine interest.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Since this role involves working closely with technical teams, be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with such teams in the past. Think of examples where you helped shape solutions or contributed to bids and proposals, as this will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between business development and technical capabilities.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
This position is all about relationships, so come prepared with examples of how you've successfully built and maintained professional relationships in the past. Highlight your approach to understanding customer challenges and how you've identified opportunities to support their needs.
