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- Tasks: Support the delivery of the Fit for Defence programme and manage commercial partnerships.
- Company: Join Make UK, a leader in supporting the manufacturing industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, flexible hours, health cover, and volunteering leave.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration in a diverse environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the defence sector while working with senior decision-makers.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and a willingness to learn about manufacturing or defence.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Permanent, home based, with occasional travel (South West England location preferable but not essential). Full time. Competitive salaries and excellent benefits including up to one day's paid leave each year to undertake volunteering opportunities.
Make UK Defence supports manufacturing and engineering businesses operating across the UK defence supply chain, helping strengthen capability, improve resilience and create commercial opportunities for members. Central to this is the Fit for Defence programme - a capability development scheme designed to help manufacturers meet the standards needed to win and deliver defence contracts.
The Fit for Defence Executive will support the delivery and growth of the Fit for Defence programme, while also assisting with the development and management of commercial partnerships. This is a delivery-focused, outward-facing role that requires strong organisation, stakeholder engagement skills and commercial awareness. You’ll help ensure programmes run smoothly, partners are supported effectively, and opportunities for growth are identified and progressed.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the day-to-day delivery and administration of the Fit for Defence programme
- Coordinate assessments, workshops, mentoring sessions and partner activity
- Maintain programme records, participant tracking, KPIs and reporting dashboards
- Act as a key point of contact for participating companies
- Support commercial partnerships, sponsor engagement and partner activity
- Prepare briefing notes, presentations and follow-up materials
- Work closely with internal teams across policy, communications and events
- Support roundtables, workshops and wider industry engagement activity
- Maintain CRM records, track performance metrics and identify process improvements
Person Specification:
- Highly organised, with strong attention to detail
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines
- A strong communicator, written and verbally
- Confident engaging with a range of stakeholders, including senior industry representatives
- Proactive, commercially aware and comfortable working in a fast-moving team
- Competent using CRM systems and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience in programme coordination, partnerships, membership organisations or B2B environments would be helpful, but an interest in manufacturing or defence and a willingness to learn are just as important.
What’s on Offer:
- Exposure to senior decision-makers across UK defence and manufacturing
- A key role in a nationally recognised capability programme
- Opportunity to support commercial growth and strategic partnerships
- The chance to make a real impact in an important and growing sector
Apply or email Kerry at Insignis Talent - Kcritchell@insignistalent.com.
With over 125 years of experience, Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for the 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 value a diverse workforce, welcoming applications from all sections of the community. Benefits include, but are not limited to: free parking, meal service on site, 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 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.
Fit for Defence Executive employer: Make UK
Contact Detail:
Make UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fit for Defence Executive
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its programmes. Familiarise yourself with the Fit for Defence initiative and think about how your skills can contribute to its success. This will help you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested and ready to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills! In your conversations, highlight examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects or stakeholders. This is key for the Fit for Defence Executive role, so make sure we see that you can juggle priorities like a champ.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Fit for Defence Executive
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Fit for Defence Executive role. We want to see how you can support our programme and engage with stakeholders effectively.
Showcase Your Organisation Skills: Since this role is all about managing multiple priorities, don’t forget to mention any relevant experience that demonstrates your organisational prowess. We love seeing examples of how you've kept things running smoothly in past roles!
Communicate Clearly: Strong communication is key for us, so make sure your written application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts well to show us you can engage with a range of stakeholders effortlessly.
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 this exciting opportunity to make an impact in the defence sector!
How to prepare for a job interview at Make UK
✨Know the Fit for Defence Programme
Before your interview, make sure you understand the Fit for Defence programme inside and out. Familiarise yourself with its objectives, key activities, and how it supports manufacturers in the defence sector. This knowledge will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how you can contribute to its success.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Given the role's focus on coordination and administration, be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed multiple priorities in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your attention to detail.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this position involves engaging with various stakeholders, think about how you can demonstrate your communication skills. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate your ability to build relationships and effectively communicate with senior industry representatives or partners.
✨Be Proactive and Commercially Aware
The role requires a proactive mindset and commercial awareness. Research current trends in the defence and manufacturing sectors, and be ready to discuss how these could impact the Fit for Defence programme. Showing that you’re informed and forward-thinking will set you apart from other candidates.