At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage senior stakeholders in defence and government, tailoring outreach to their unique challenges.
- Company: Join a mission-driven startup transforming complex challenges with AI-based predictive simulations.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, collaborative culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in defence and security while working closely with industry experts.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in BDR/SDR roles, comfortable engaging C-Level executives, and adaptable storytelling skills.
- Other info: Must be UK-based and willing to work in the London office at least three days a week.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Strategic Business Development Representative (Defence Sector, AI)
London / Hybrid
Our client is on a mission to transform how governments, militaries, and large enterprises solve complex, real-world challenges. Their technology creates synthetic environments—think of them as advanced digital twins—to run AI-based predictive simulations for everything from defence and security scenarios to critical infrastructure planning and global supply chain disruptions. They tackle big problems with big deals to match (ranging from £1M to £10M), and they need a driven, strategic BDR to help open the right doors at a very senior level.
The Role
- As a Strategic Business Development Representative, you will play a pivotal role in the companies\’ success by identifying and engaging senior stakeholders in defence, government, and enterprise. This is not a typical high-volume, scripted SDR role. Instead, you’ll:
- Research target accounts in detail (think major defence contractors, government organizations, global consultancies).
- Tailor your outreach to speak specifically to each prospect’s challenges, business context, and strategic goals.
- Build relationships with C-Level, C-minus-1, and even high-ranking military officials.
- Collaborate closely with our Sales Reps and Marketing teams to synchronize messaging and strategies.
- Maintain a thoughtful, methodical approach to outbound: expect to handle 20–30 targeted calls per day, supplemented by LinkedIn campaigns and other multi-touch efforts.
You’ll be part of a small, agile team in a very fast-paced startup environment, working closely with technical experts and seasoned sales professionals. Because collaboration and knowledge transfer are crucial, they expect you in the London office at least three days a week (especially for the first six months) to ensure you pick up on the nuances of the complex solutions quickly.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven SDR/BDR Experience: This isn’t your first rodeo. You’ve successfully prospected and set meetings at enterprise level before, ideally with large-scale or complex software/tech solutions.
- Executive-Level Engagement: Comfortable speaking with C-Level, C-minus-1, or even government/military leadership. You know how to drive top-level conversations and align solutions to strategic outcomes.
- Storytelling & Adaptability: Able to customize pitches and use cases on the fly. You thrive on research and tailoring your message for each unique audience.
- Curiosity & Intelligence: You’re genuinely interested in solving big, complex problems. You stay updated on industry trends, do your homework, and come prepared.
- Collaborative Mindset: You sync seamlessly with sales reps, marketing, and product teams to ensure your outreach is on-message and on-brand.
- Location: UK-based, commutable to London. You must be willing to come into our London office at least three days per week.
Nice-to-Have Experience
- Defense Sector (e.g. BAE, Rolls-Royce, Thales, Lockheed Martin, Saab, DXC, Deloitte, Accenture, etc.) or HPC (High-Performance Computing).
- Military Exposure/Interest: Could be academic (degree) or extracurricular.
- Software/SaaS background in any capacity, especially solutions requiring a high degree of customization.
- Large-Scale Conceptual Sales: Previous experience where deals were ÂŁ1M+ with multiple stakeholders and long sales cycles.
Why Join?
- Impactful Work: Play a key role in pioneering a new frontier of simulation and AI. These solutions aren’t just “nice to have” but mission-critical in many contexts—defence, security, logistics, government planning, and beyond.
- Career Growth: You’re success will be from a front-row seat to leadership in the HQ of a scaling deep-tech company.
- Collaborative Culture: Thrive on sharing knowledge, brainstorming, and pushing each other to excel.
Strategic Business Development Representative employer: Recognition One
Contact Detail:
Recognition One Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Business Development Representative
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the defence sector and the specific challenges it faces. Understanding the nuances of this industry will help you tailor your outreach effectively and engage senior stakeholders more convincingly.
✨Tip Number 2
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in the defence and government sectors. Engage with their content and participate in discussions to build rapport before reaching out directly.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss recent trends and innovations in AI and simulation technologies. Being knowledgeable about these topics will position you as a credible partner when speaking with C-Level executives.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your storytelling skills. Develop compelling narratives that illustrate how your solutions can address the unique challenges faced by potential clients in the defence sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Business Development Representative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Strategic Business Development Representative in the defence sector. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your proven experience in business development, particularly in engaging with senior stakeholders and handling complex sales cycles. Mention any specific achievements or metrics that demonstrate your success in similar roles.
Customize Your Outreach: When writing your cover letter, customize your message to reflect an understanding of the company's mission and the challenges faced by their target audience. Use storytelling to illustrate how your background and skills can help address these challenges.
Showcase Curiosity and Industry Knowledge: Demonstrate your curiosity and knowledge about the defence sector and AI technologies in your application. Mention any relevant trends or insights you've researched that could be beneficial for the role, showing that you're proactive and well-informed.
How to prepare for a job interview at Recognition One
✨Research Your Prospects
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the key players in the defence sector and their specific challenges. This will help you demonstrate your ability to tailor outreach and engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
✨Showcase Executive-Level Engagement Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully engaged with C-Level executives or military leadership. Highlight how you navigated complex conversations and aligned solutions with strategic outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Storytelling Ability
Be ready to share how you've customized pitches for different audiences. Use storytelling techniques to illustrate your adaptability and how you can connect with various stakeholders on a personal level.
✨Exhibit Curiosity and Industry Knowledge
Stay updated on the latest trends in AI and the defence sector. During the interview, ask insightful questions that reflect your genuine interest in solving complex problems and your preparedness to tackle the challenges faced by the company.