At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Director-General with research, analysis, and executive assistance in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Make UK Defence, a leading advocate for the UK defence manufacturing sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, health cover, and a competitive salary package.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and exposure to high-profile industry events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the UK defence sector while engaging with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree qualified with strong MS365 skills and experience in the defence sector.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Make UK Defence is the specialist defence division of Make UK, representing and supporting nearly 1,000 manufacturing and engineering companies across the UK defence supply chain. We work at the centre of UK defence manufacturing, strengthening sovereign capability, improving supply chain resilience and creating meaningful commercial opportunities for our members. Our work brings us into close contact with the Ministry of Defence, major defence primes, mid-tier suppliers, SMEs and innovative new entrants across the sector.
We are seeking a highly organised, analytical and proactive Defence Analyst / Executive Assistant to support our Director-General and leadership team in a fast-paced and high-profile environment. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the UK defence sector, combining strategic research and analysis with senior-level executive support. The successful candidate will play a central role in preparing briefings and reports, managing key stakeholder engagement and ensuring the Director-General is fully briefed and supported across a demanding programme of meetings, events and industry engagement.
The role offers significant exposure to senior figures across Government, the Ministry of Defence and the defence industry, including major prime contractors, SMEs, international partners and emerging defence suppliers. No two days are the same. This is an outward-facing, delivery-focused role requiring exceptional organisational skills, strong written communication and the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities- Executive Support
- Manage a dynamic and fast-moving diary for the Director-General
- Review, respond to and action complex emails and correspondence
- Coordinate travel, accommodation and visit programmes, including last-minute changes
- Prepare briefing packs and supporting materials for key meetings, events and parliamentary engagements
- Maintain accurate records, filing systems and monthly board reporting information
- Process expenses and provide day-to-day administrative support
- Contribute actively to Make UK Defence’s strategy and continuous improvement initiatives
- Research & Analysis
- Conduct detailed research and prepare high-quality reports, briefings and presentations
- Analyse defence companies, including overseas organisations seeking entry into the UK market
- Research international defence markets to support Make UK Defence’s global engagement ambitions
- Produce analytical papers and slide decks to support stakeholder engagement and strategic discussions
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Engage with member companies, defence primes, mid-tier suppliers and new market entrants to gather industry insight and intelligence
- Support engagement with MPs, Government departments and MOD officials through well-informed briefings and market analysis
- Maintain stakeholder mapping and key contact databases across industry and Government
- Coordinate engagement with embassies, high commissions and international trade associations
- Support the planning and delivery of industry roundtables, workshops, visits and defence events
- Degree qualified
- Strong MS365 skills, including PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook
- Experience within the defence sector, MOD or a defence-focused organisation
- Strong understanding of the UK defence supply chain
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven research, analytical and report-writing capability
- Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail
- Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders across Government and industry
- Proactive, self-starting and confident taking initiative
- Willingness to travel regularly to meetings, events and Make UK offices
- Experience working within a trade association, membership organisation or B2B environment
- Exposure to sponsored industry reports, events or Government engagement activity
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- A high-profile role at the centre of a dynamic and growing defence trade association
- Significant exposure to senior leaders across UK defence and Government
- A varied, fast-paced and rewarding working environment
- The opportunity to help shape and support the future of UK defence manufacturing
With over 125 years of experience, Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for manufacturing industry in the UK. Make UK has the close ear of Government and is a trusted provider of essential services for world leading manufacturing companies across the country. Everything we do is designed to inspire British manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow.
Make UK staff enjoy a good benefits package and values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Benefits to include, but not limited to: no bank holiday/weekend work, flexible hours, health cover, matched pension contributions up to 8%, and life assurance.
We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and we recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation and have pledged to support this by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Our Values at Make UK: Inclusivity & Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, & Collaboration.
Defence Analyst / EA in York employer: Make UK Defence
Make UK Defence is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the UK defence sector. With a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, employees benefit from a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and significant exposure to senior leaders across government and industry. The dynamic work culture fosters professional growth through strategic engagement and impactful contributions to the future of UK defence manufacturing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Defence Analyst / EA in York
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence sector. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to industry professionals. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its role in the defence industry. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills align with what they’re looking for. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience and how it relates to the Defence Analyst role. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time for the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Defence Analyst / EA in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Defence Analyst / Executive Assistant role. Highlight your relevant experience in the defence sector and showcase how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since strong written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. Use professional language but let your personality shine through – we want to see who you are!
Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills:In your application, provide examples of how you've managed complex tasks or projects in the past. This could be anything from coordinating events to managing a busy schedule – we love to see how you keep things running smoothly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Make UK Defence!
How to prepare for a job interview at Make UK Defence
✨Know Your Defence Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in the UK defence sector. Familiarise yourself with key players, recent news, and Make UK Defence's role in the industry. This will help you engage confidently with senior stakeholders during the interview.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
As a Defence Analyst / Executive Assistant, you'll need to juggle multiple tasks. Prepare examples of how you've managed complex schedules or coordinated events in the past. Highlight your attention to detail and ability to stay organised under pressure.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Think about how you would approach engaging with various stakeholders, from government officials to industry leaders. Be ready to discuss your communication style and how you build relationships. This is crucial for the role, so have some strategies in mind.
✨Practice Your Research and Reporting Skills
Since the role involves preparing reports and briefings, practice summarising complex information clearly and concisely. Bring along a sample of your work if possible, and be prepared to discuss your research process and analytical methods.
