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- Tasks: Build relationships and drive growth in the defence sector with key contractors.
- Company: Join a respected and profitable defence division with global supply chain solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, influence growth strategy, and work in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on defence readiness and operational success.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development within the defence sector and strong consultative selling skills.
- Other info: Shape customer solutions and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Must be based close to Chorley, Bristol or Birmingham.
Are you a business development professional looking to make a real impact in the defence sector? This is a newly created role within a highly profitable and fast-growing defence division, offering the opportunity to shape long-term partnerships, influence strategic growth, and work with some of the most respected prime contractors in the industry.
Our client delivers end-to-end global supply chain solutions. With a strong reputation, an established customer base, and a healthy pipeline, they are now investing further to accelerate growth.
As Senior Business Development Manager, you will play a pivotal role in expanding defence sector revenues by developing deep, trusted relationships with defence prime contractors and key stakeholders.
Responsibilities:- Build and maintain senior-level relationships across defence prime contractors and key supply chain partners.
- Develop and grow a warm pipeline of existing opportunities while proactively identifying and securing new business.
- Sell a core portfolio of procurement, storage, and distribution services for commodities, tailored to defence requirements.
- Operate in a consultative, solutions-led sales environment, working closely with internal solutions development teams to design and deliver bespoke supply chain offerings.
This is a strategic role, focused on long-term value creation rather than transactional sales.
What's in it for you:- Join a business that is already well-established and highly respected within the defence industry.
- Influence growth strategy and customer engagement at a senior level.
- Sell complex, mission-critical services that genuinely support defence readiness and operational success.
- Operate in a collaborative environment where your commercial insight shapes customer solutions.
- Proven experience in a business development, account management, or commercial role within the defence sector.
- Strong background in consultative or solutions-led selling, ideally involving complex services or multi-stakeholder environments.
- Experience developing opportunities from both warm pipelines and new business generation.
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with technical, solutions, and operational teams to shape customer-led offerings.
Senior Business Development Manager (Defence) in Birmingham employer: RL People
Contact Detail:
RL People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development Manager (Defence) in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
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 potential contacts. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with someone from the company, make sure to highlight your experience in consultative selling and how you've successfully developed warm pipelines. We want to see how you can bring value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s recent projects and understand their strategic goals in the defence sector. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company. Let’s get you that Senior Business Development Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager (Defence) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Business Development Manager in the defence sector. Highlight your experience with consultative selling and relationship building, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the defence industry and how your skills can help us grow. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your successes in business development and any experience with defence prime contractors. We want to see how you've influenced growth and built relationships in similar roles.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at RL People
✨Know Your Defence Sector Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in the defence sector. Understand the key players, including prime contractors and supply chain partners. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and maintained senior-level relationships in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to develop trust and rapport with stakeholders, as this is crucial for a Senior Business Development Manager.
✨Demonstrate Consultative Selling Experience
Since the role focuses on consultative, solutions-led selling, come prepared with stories that highlight your experience in this area. Discuss how you've collaborated with internal teams to create tailored solutions that meet customer needs, especially in complex environments.
✨Prepare for Strategic Growth Discussions
Think about how you can influence growth strategy and customer engagement. Be ready to share your ideas on expanding revenue streams and securing new business opportunities. This will show that you're not just focused on immediate sales but also on long-term value creation.
