At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Fit for Defence programme and manage commercial partnerships.
- Company: Join a leading organisation enhancing UK defence and manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid volunteering leave, and excellent career growth.
- Other info: Home-based role with occasional travel and exposure to senior decision-makers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vital sector while engaging with industry leaders.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills, communication abilities, and a proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € per year.
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 support 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
- 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.
- 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
Fit for Defence Executive in Somerset employer: Make UK
As a Fit for Defence Executive, you will join a dynamic and supportive team dedicated to enhancing the UK defence supply chain. Our home-based work culture promotes flexibility and work-life balance, while our commitment to employee development is reflected in opportunities for growth and engagement with senior industry leaders. With competitive salaries, excellent benefits including paid volunteering leave, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the defence sector, we are an employer that values your contributions and fosters a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fit for Defence Executive in Somerset
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend local events. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make connections that could lead to opportunities in the defence sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Fit for Defence programme and its impact. We recommend practising your responses to common questions, focusing on your organisational skills and stakeholder engagement experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your commercial awareness! During conversations, highlight any relevant experiences or insights you have about the defence supply chain. We want to see your passion for the industry shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Fit for Defence Executive in Somerset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the Fit for Defence Executive role. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission in supporting the defence supply chain.
Showcase Your Organisation Skills:Since this role is all about managing multiple priorities, be sure to provide examples of how you've successfully organised projects or events in the past. We love seeing candidates who can juggle tasks like pros!
Engage with Stakeholders:Demonstrate your communication skills by mentioning any experience you have in engaging with various stakeholders. Whether it's through presentations or meetings, we want to know how you’ve built relationships in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Make UK
✨Know the Fit for Defence Programme
Make sure you understand the ins and outs of the Fit for Defence programme. Familiarise yourself with its goals, how it supports manufacturers, and the impact it has on the defence supply chain. This knowledge will show your genuine interest and help you answer questions more effectively.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires strong organisational abilities, be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple priorities or deadlines. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in engaging with various stakeholders. Think of instances where you’ve communicated effectively with senior representatives or collaborated with teams. Highlight your ability to build relationships and support partners, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Brush up on your understanding of the manufacturing and defence sectors. Be prepared to discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities within these industries. Showing that you’re proactive and commercially aware will set you apart from other candidates.
