At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK Missile Systems University and drive innovative training solutions.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation shaping global security.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company bonus, and extensive benefits including private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid working environment with opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence knowledge transfer and customer engagement on a global scale.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in defence or aerospace with proven success in programme delivery.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 85000 £ per year.
MBDA has created its Corporate University, called the “Missile Systems University” (MSU), to sustain and further develop core capabilities for its domestic and export customers. The MSU defines and executes MBDA’s contractual obligations in transferring Weapon Systems Knowledge and Technologies to its customers and partners.
As the Head of MSU UK, you will be reporting to the Group Head of MSU, leading the UK strategy, overseeing the delivery of contractual commitments, supporting international export campaigns, and driving the development of innovative training and knowledge-transfer solutions. You will play a key role in protecting MBDA’s brand, financial margins and reputation, ensuring customer satisfaction, and supporting business growth across global defence programmes.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the UK Missile Systems University strategy in alignment with MBDA’s global vision.
- Supporting export contract wins through compelling Transfer of Knowledge solutions.
- Ensuring successful delivery of customer commitments, delivering realistic bids and risk assessing while protecting financial performance.
- Identifying and mitigating contractual and delivery risks to avoid non-acceptance and penalties.
- Proactively escalating financial and reputational risks with mitigation or recovery plans.
- Developing new learning and capability-building offerings for international customers.
- Managing and developing a small specialist team and external partners.
- Representing MSU UK in HR, workforce planning and governance bodies ensuring MSU constraints, risks, and priorities are visible and arbitrated.
- Acting as the official MSU UK representative towards UK export customers and partners, ensuring credibility, consistency, and professionalism.
- Developing and managing strategic partnerships with UK academic institutions, military organisations, training authorities, and research bodies, in line with Group MSU objectives.
- Ensuring external engagements and partnerships do not introduce uncontrolled contractual, IP, export, or reputational risks.
What we are looking for:
- Significant leadership experience within defence, aerospace, engineering, or another highly regulated environment with direct accountability for delivery and teams.
- Proven success in programme delivery, customer engagement, and team leadership.
- Experience working on export programmes, international customers, and complex contractual frameworks.
- Track record of contributing to business development, bid activities, or contract capture.
- Experience managing financial risk, margins, and penalty exposure in contract execution with excellent commercial awareness.
- Ability to build strong relationships with customers, academic institutions, military organisations, and industry partners.
- Ability to travel extensively internationally, both in Europe and rest of the world is required. Travel could be for up to a week every month depending on requirements of business and customer.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of defence knowledge transfer on a global scale, working at the intersection of strategy, innovation, customer engagement, and capability development within one of the world’s leading defence organisations.
Head of Export Knowledge Transfer (Defence) in Stevenage employer: MBDA
MBDA is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the Missile Systems University in Stevenage, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defence knowledge transfer. With a dynamic hybrid working model, competitive salary, and extensive benefits including a generous company bonus, private medical insurance, and enhanced parental leave, MBDA fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Join a team that values innovation and collaboration, while making a meaningful impact on global defence capabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Export Knowledge Transfer (Defence) in Stevenage
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
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✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with MBDA for a Head of Export Knowledge Transfer (Defence). This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Export Knowledge Transfer (Defence) in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at MBDA, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At MBDA, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with MBDA.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with MBDA. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like MBDA love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
