At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth in the UK Defence Land market by building relationships and identifying opportunities.
- Company: Join a growing specialist consultancy with a focus on defence innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, annual bonuses, pension, and professional development support.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence company strategy and grow within 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 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.
Locations
Business Development Manager - Defence in Newport, Wales 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 hybrid working arrangements. The company provides a comprehensive benefits package, including an annual bonus, pension, and life insurance, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Defence in Newport, Wales
✨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 field, so let’s make those connections count!
✨Tip Number 2
Do your homework! Research the companies you’re interested in and understand their current projects and challenges. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the needs of the defence sector. Focus on your ability to build relationships and develop solutions, as these are crucial for the role of a Business Development Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly shows your enthusiasm. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your application in the best light. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Defence in Newport, Wales
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 strong communication skills. Keep your language clear and professional, but don’t be afraid to let your personality shine 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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
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 their approach to business development.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to discuss technical capabilities and solutions during your interview. Review any relevant projects you've worked on and be ready to explain how you collaborated with technical teams. Highlight your ability to translate complex technical information into customer-friendly language.
✨Show Your Commercial Awareness
Demonstrate your understanding of the commercial aspects of the defence market. Be prepared to discuss how you identify and qualify opportunities, and share examples of how you've successfully supported bids or proposals in the past. This will show that you can contribute to the company's growth strategy.
