Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Aerospace & Defence

South Coast

From £140K, bonus, car allowance, share options & benefits

Relocation assistance available

Our client is a market leader in designing, manufacturing, and innovating safety-critical products and solutions for global aerospace and defence markets.

This is a critical appointment with responsibilities for the overall business P & L, focusing on driving profitable new business, product development, and achieving demanding EBITDA growth targets. Reporting to the President, you will be an influential member of the executive leadership team, playing a key role in the overall management and decision-making processes.

You will provide leadership for a multi-functional Sales and Marketing team, taking ownership of business development, strategic planning, customer and programme development, distribution management, customer pricing agreements, proposal development, profitability of orders, and backlog.

The Role

• Establish, implement, and communicate the strategic direction of the sales & marketing division.
• Collaborate with other leaders to develop and meet company goals, providing expertise and support on sales/marketing projects and procedures.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with high-profile global aerospace and defence customers.
• Recruit, coach, plan succession, and develop high-potential talent within your team. Manage daily workflow, conduct performance evaluations, identify training needs, and foster a positive workplace environment.
• Promote a culture of innovation and collaborate across international, multi-site operations.
• Support contract negotiations, bids and proposals, commercial management, pricing, and marketing strategies as needed.
• Focus on performance reporting and metrics, including attendance at corporate financial meetings.
• Implement sales and marketing policies, practices, standards, and security measures to ensure effective support and execution.
• Oversee the department\’s budget, coordinate major projects, and review cost-control reports and staffing requirements.
• Identify and implement new processes and systems to improve organizational efficiency, staying informed about emerging technologies and trends.
• Ensure departmental decisions and project plans align with budget and organizational goals.

The Person

• Degree or higher education, preferably in business or technical disciplines; an MBA is advantageous.
• Extensive experience in senior sales, marketing, and business development roles within aerospace (commercial/military/MRO) and defence sectors.
• Proven leadership in line and matrix management, capable of operating independently across international, multi-site, and time-zone-diverse environments.
• Accountable for significant P&L, with a good understanding of business accounting, budgeting, bid generation, product costing, and commercial management.
• Experienced in negotiating complex, long-term contracts with key aerospace and defence clients.
• Technically proficient, with experience managing multiple product development programs with varying life cycles.
• Strong coaching, team development, and performance management skills.
• Data-driven with excellent financial and analytical skills for performance reporting and financial presentations.
• Capable of working effectively in a responsive, project-oriented manufacturing environment, respecting cultural differences.
• Ambitious, results-oriented, and a team player capable of building strong relationships internally and externally.
• Excellent communication skills with a drive to deliver exceptional value to customers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, MS Project or similar, ERP systems, etc.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively.
• Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance.

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