At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth in Special Mission Aircraft and build strong industry relationships.
- Company: Join a global leader in engineering services dedicated to community safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for travel and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence and aerospace while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Nova Systems is a global engineering services and technology solutions company with offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. We work with customers across defence, aerospace, security, and essential services, helping to keep communities safe and secure. We combine the reach of a global business with the responsiveness and care of a specialist consultancy.
The role is responsible for business development, building the opportunity pipeline, capture and order intake within our Special Mission Aircraft business, contributing directly to sustainable revenue growth and profitability. Reporting directly to the Director of Growth (International) Clifton Lombard and working alongside Strategy and Marketing Manager Ollie Bishop to ensure Nova is represented in the right places. You will work closely with Programme Managers and General Managers across the business to ensure a harmonised approach to business development, the development of compelling solutions to customer requirements, and the capture of opportunities.
Key Accountabilities
- Develop and grow a qualified opportunity pipeline aligned to Nova Systems’ strategy, using market insight, customer intelligence, and collaboration across the wider workforce to identify emerging opportunities and support profitable revenue growth.
- Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, government and industry bodies, customers and key partners.
- Represent Nova Systems at relevant industry events and forums.
- Support the annual business plan, contribute to strategic marketing and growth planning, advise on business development investment decisions, and manage delegated business development, capture, and investment budgets effectively.
- Lead strategic opportunities, major captures, and complex bid development, including advising on partner selection and negotiations for future business, capture activities, and major proposals.
- Work in line with Nova Systems’ policies, safety expectations, and core values of Trust, Professionalism, Passion, and Community.
Essential Experience and Requirements
- Experience in Special Mission Aircraft or related parapublic segments, such as operator, technical, programme delivery, or business winning experience.
- Demonstrable business winning experience, including a track record of negotiation with senior stakeholders in closing contracts of significant value.
- Strong communicator, negotiator, and influencer with interpersonal skills to build trusted, lasting relationships with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Ability to maintain accurate and timely customer, pipeline, and forecast data to support informed business development decisions.
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to assess complex commercial situations and identify where Nova Systems can add value.
- Experience operating with senior stakeholders and building professional credibility in complex customer, partner, or industry environments.
- Experience working in complex, fast-paced, or customer-focused environments where priorities can change.
- Ability to deliver high-quality work accurately and on time in a role with competing priorities.
- Eligibility to work in the UK without sponsorship.
- Full driving licence valid for use in the UK.
Desirable Experience
- STEM and/or business qualifications, preferably to degree level.
Location and Ways of Working
The role can be based in either Filton - Bristol, Stokenchurch - High Wycombe or Corsham nr Bath. We have hybrid working at Nova, we manage schedules in line with business and customer needs, whilst ensuring a good work-life balance. Your home base can be anywhere in the South of the UK to do this role but you must be prepared to be in your contracted office when required. The ability to travel in this role is essential; all BD related business travel and accommodation etc will be covered by Nova, travel to your contracted office for non-client work is at your own cost.
Why Join Us
At Nova Systems, you’ll be part of a mission-driven team that values innovation, trust, and collaboration. We offer a supportive environment for learning and development, backed by our professional development allowance, mentoring, and opportunities to work on impactful UK and global defence and parapublic projects.
Our Benefits & Perks
- 8.5% Matched Salary Sacrifice Pension
- Annual Professional Development Allowance
- 5 days Development Leave
- 25 days Annual Leave + UK Public Holidays
- Enhanced Parental Leave
- 5 Days Reservist Leave
- Loyalty Leave
- Private Medical Insurance with Vitality
- Life Insurance
- Up to 6 Weeks Sick Pay
- Employee Assistance Program
- Reward & Recognition Programme
- Discounts and more
- Flexible and Hybrid working
Interview Process
- MS Teams Screen call with Talent Partner
- MS Teams Interview with Hiring Manager/Line Manager
- Final interview / meet the team - In Person at one of our Offices
- May include pre-briefed case study / research presentation
- Right to work documents must be provided at this stage if not before.
Please note - This role requires pre-employment screening in line with the UK Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). The checks will include verification of identity and right to work in the UK, employment history, education checks and a criminal record check. Please note that appointment is subject to successful completion of these checks, and refusal to participate will result in withdrawal of the offer.
About Nova Systems
Nova Systems is a global engineering services and technology solutions company, with strategically located offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. We play a key part in keeping the global community safe. We pride ourselves in being responsive to our customers and are committed to delivering our solutions in a timely way. Small enough to care, big enough to matter, we leverage the benefits of scale for our clients.
What makes Nova Systems truly unique, is our people, it’s where the best and brightest minds come together to challenge, collaborate, and innovate. At Nova Systems we see things differently. We bring (and take) a different perspective.
Our Vision - to be a global systems innovator. Our Purpose - To make our world safe and secure. We are committed to increasing diversity of staff within Nova Systems International and within the aerospace and engineering sector. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the requirements of the role description, and we are committed to equal opportunity, equal treatment, and respect for every individual.
At Nova Systems International we are proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant. We recognize the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families bring to our business. We offer, and value, flexible working and we are also proud to be committed to mental health awareness and to actively support the wellbeing of our team. If you have special access requirements, please do let us know.
To find out more about Nova please go to www.novasystems.com or our LinkedIn page.
Senior Business Development and Capture Manager (Special Mission Aircraft) in Bristol employer: Nova Systems
At Nova Systems, we pride ourselves on our employee-focused culture and commitment to professional development, making us an exceptional employer for the Mechanical Design Team Lead role. Located in the vibrant Corsham Science Park, just a short distance from Bath, we offer a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation, alongside generous benefits such as a matched contributory pension, substantial annual development allowances, and flexible working conditions. Join us to be part of a global team dedicated to solving complex challenges in aerospace engineering while enjoying a supportive and inclusive workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development and Capture Manager (Special Mission Aircraft) in Bristol
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
If you're aiming for a full-time role in business intelligence, brush up on your skills with popular data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showcasing projects where you've transformed raw data into clear visual insights can give you a real edge.
✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like Nova Systems!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Support
If you're a recent graduate, definitely tap into your university's career services. Many have connections with companies in need of full-time BI specialists, and they can guide you on how to pitch yourself effectively—don't miss out on that!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development and Capture Manager (Special Mission Aircraft) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Nova Systems, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nova Systems
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Nova Systems’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
