At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business development in the UK Defence Land market and build strong relationships.
- Company: A growing consultancy with a focus on defence and innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, annual bonus, pension, holiday allowance, and professional development support.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and influence key defence programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while shaping future growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in the UK defence sector and strong relationship-building skills.
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 employer: IO Associates
Join a dynamic and growing consultancy that values relationship-building and offers a collaborative work culture. With a focus on the UK Defence Land market, you will have the opportunity to influence business growth while working alongside experienced technical teams. Enjoy benefits such as hybrid working, an annual bonus, pension contributions, and professional development support, all within a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth and meaningful contributions to defence programmes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Defence
✨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 in this role, so let’s get chatting!
✨Tip Number 2
Do your homework! Research the companies you’re interested in and understand their challenges and opportunities. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you’re genuinely interested in helping them succeed.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the needs of the defence market. Whether it’s through mock interviews or casual chats with friends, getting comfortable talking about your skills will boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you can showcase your enthusiasm for joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Defence
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 within 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 professional, while still letting your personality shine through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to hit that apply button on our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance 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. Understand current trends, challenges, and opportunities 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.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Since this role involves working closely with technical teams, be ready to discuss how you can bridge the gap between customer needs and technical solutions. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully collaborated with technical teams.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Business Development Manager, strong communication is key. Prepare to demonstrate your ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. You might even want to practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as this will be crucial in building relationships with customers.
