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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in the UK defence sector by securing strategic accounts and building relationships.
- Company: Leading engineering services provider in the defence industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career advancement opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the defence sector with your expertise and connections.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in UK defence, proven business development success, strong industry relationships.
- Other info: Join a team focused on innovation and excellence in defence engineering.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and highly connected Director of Business Development to drive growth within the UK defence sector. The successful candidate will leverage existing relationships and market knowledge to position our engineering services and technical expertise with major defence primes and key supply chain partners. This role is focused on securing strategic accounts and developing long-term relationships across defence programmes. Typical account values are expected to range between £300,000 and £5 million. The role requires a self-starting, commercially driven individual who understands how the defence procurement ecosystem works and has a proven track record of winning new business within the sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and develop opportunities with major UK defence primes and Tier‑1 contractors
- Establish and grow strategic accounts with values ranging from £300k to £5m
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across engineering, procurement and programme leadership teams
- Position the company as a trusted engineering and technical services partner
- Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities across defence programmes
- Lead early engagement with customers ahead of formal procurement cycles
- Work with internal engineering and delivery teams to shape compelling technical proposals
- Support and lead bid strategy and capture management activities
- Monitor MOD priorities, procurement trends and upcoming programmes
- Develop partnerships with complementary suppliers and SMEs within the defence ecosystem
Key Performance Indicators
- Creation of a £5m–£10m new business pipeline
- 2–4 new strategic accounts established annually
- £1m–£5m annual contract awards
- Long-term customer relationships across major defence primes
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- 10+ years experience within the UK defence sector
- Proven track record generating new business with defence primes or Tier‑1 contractors
- Strong existing relationships within organisations such as BAE Systems, Leonardo, QinetiQ, Thales, MBDA, Rolls‑Royce Defence or similar
- Deep understanding of UK defence procurement processes
- Experience selling engineering services, technical consultancy or specialist capability
Desirable Experience
- Background in engineering, systems engineering or technical consultancy
- Experience working within a defence consultancy or engineering services organisation
- Familiarity with MOD procurement structures and major defence programmes
- Eligible for UK security clearance (SC or higher)
Head of Business Development- Defence in Farnborough employer: Positiv Cohort
Contact Detail:
Positiv Cohort Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Development- Defence in Farnborough
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the defence sector! Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to your existing contacts. We all know that who you know can be just as important as what you know.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or clients, make sure to highlight your experience and successes in the defence sector. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth or secured strategic accounts. We want to see your passion and knowledge shine through!
✨Be Proactive
Don’t wait for job openings to pop up; create your own opportunities! Reach out to companies you admire and express your interest in working with them. We believe that a proactive approach can set you apart from the competition.
✨Apply Through Our Website
If you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website! It shows your enthusiasm and makes it easier for us to track your application. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development- Defence in Farnborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head of Business Development in Defence. Highlight your experience in the UK defence sector and any existing relationships with major primes. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific achievements in securing strategic accounts and how you can leverage your connections to drive growth for us.
Showcase Your Understanding of the Sector: Demonstrate your deep understanding of the UK defence procurement ecosystem in your application. We’re looking for someone who knows the ins and outs of the industry, so don’t hold back on sharing your insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Positiv Cohort
✨Know Your Defence Landscape
Before the interview, brush up on the latest trends and key players in the UK defence sector. Familiarise yourself with major primes like BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Defence, as well as current MOD priorities. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of the market and how you can leverage your connections.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Be ready to discuss your existing relationships with senior stakeholders in the defence industry. Prepare specific examples of how these connections have led to successful business outcomes. This will highlight your ability to build and maintain strategic accounts, which is crucial for this role.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare to talk about your track record in generating new business within the defence sector. Use quantifiable achievements to illustrate your success, such as the value of contracts secured or the number of strategic accounts established. This will show that you are commercially driven and results-oriented.
✨Engage with Technical Expertise
Since the role involves positioning engineering services, be prepared to discuss how you can collaborate with internal teams to shape compelling technical proposals. Highlight any experience you have in leading bid strategies or working with engineering teams, as this will demonstrate your capability to support the company's objectives.