Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships and drive growth in the defence sector with key contractors.
- Company: Join a respected and profitable defence division with global reach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, influence growth strategy, and collaborative work 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: Opportunity to shape long-term partnerships and career growth.
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 Bristol 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 Bristol
✨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 a CV just can’t.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or industry peers, make sure to highlight your experience in consultative selling and relationship building. Share specific examples of how you've developed partnerships and driven growth in previous roles.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every conversation is an opportunity to tailor your pitch. Research the company and its needs, and be ready to discuss how your skills can help them achieve their goals in the defence sector. This shows you're not just another candidate; you're the right fit.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager (Defence) in Bristol
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 shape long-term partnerships. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to develop warm pipelines and secure new business. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles, especially in complex environments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
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, as this will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their growth.
✨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 the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Consultative Selling Approach
Be prepared to explain your consultative or solutions-led selling techniques. Share stories that highlight your ability to work collaboratively with internal teams to create tailored solutions that meet customer needs, especially in complex environments.
✨Highlight Your Pipeline Management Experience
Discuss your experience in managing both warm pipelines and new business generation. Provide concrete examples of how you've identified opportunities and secured new business, as this will show your proactive approach to driving revenue growth.
