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- Tasks: Lead business development and sales for Saab's training and simulation portfolio.
- Company: Join Saab UK, part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, innovating in defence and security.
- Benefits: Enjoy career growth opportunities, a dynamic work environment, and a chance to make an impact.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of defence innovation while building relationships with key stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK Defence, strong communication skills, and a background in the British Army preferred.
- Other info: Full-time role with a focus on strategic market engagement and customer relationship management.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
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Saab UK is part of Scandinavia\’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.
As part of the global entity Saab AB, Saab UK combines the innovative spirit of a start-up with the resources and expertise of a larger corporation. Globally, Saab employs over 24,000 people, with operations on every continent. Our partnerships with UK customers and industry mean we are able to deliver innovative solutions to complex challenges, anticipating the threats of tomorrow. We invest 23% of our annual revenue into research and development, collaborating with a range of partners including industry and academia.
The Role
The responsibility covers various elements of Saabs portfolio with particular focus on Training and Simulation, as assigned by the Director of BD and Sales. Their responsibilities include the establishment and maintenance of the customer relationships and responsibility for the relevant parts of the Winning Business (WB) process for their assigned prospects. The CSR leads the business realisation in accordance with the WB process from Market Appraisal up to and including Deliver and Follow Up Tender, and for the customer relationships throughout and beyond the WB process.
This is a key role within the sales team and will represent Saab\’s continued relationship building with the British Army and therefore, the individual will be required to have an intricate understanding of Land operations and be capable of establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, creating a narrative and having the capability to identify opportunities for the business across campaigns and sales.
Stakeholder engagement at all levels within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is essential to this role. Therefore, applicants will need to have had prior involvement in running large campaigns and stakeholder management.
The Head of BD & Sales is responsible for acquiring and maintaining relevant product knowledge, developing a close working relationship with respective Saab Business Units and to work closely with designated Product Sales Responsible (PSR) for each prospect.
The ideal individual will have come from a British Army background of OF3 or above, with a demonstrable understanding of how the Army delivers Collective Training. Working with Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) as well as some wider commercial, business development or sales experience would also be a prerequisite.
To support this and to build Saab\’s position within the UK market, the Head of BD & Sales conducts business intelligence, as part of the Competitive and Market Intelligence (CMI) process, and business development work in relation to set responsibilities to provide input to commercial proposals and to participate in contract negotiations, acting as the critical bridge across the entire span between the capability requirements of the end user, and the engineering realities of Production.
- Deliver order intake and gross margin in accordance with set budget.
- Establish and maintain customer relationships.
- Lead on marketing and sales prospects for the Saab Training and Simulation product portfolio.
- Lead for the WB process from WB MA to WB1 and take decisions in accordance with delegated authority.
- Deliver on KPIs in accordance with annual goals set during the IPM process.
- Identify, prioritise and qualify new business opportunities and leads.
- Update all qualified cases in the CRM tool.
- Create business-winning strategies for each opportunity.
- Conduct market, customer and competitor analysis in order to develop business.
- Develop and maintain relevant product knowledge.
- Collaborate with the PSR for respective projects.
- Participate and support contract and commercial negotiations.
- Maintain, evaluate and manage market networks and consultants.
- Maintain, evaluate and develop relations with other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) for Business-to-Business opportunities.
- Synchronize with other Saab stakeholders in relevant cases.
- Participate at exhibitions and other customer-facing events.
- Work in alignment with Saab\’s policies and directives.
- Participate in and support other Operational Countries or Country Units as required.
- Other tasks within the Country Unit as deemed relevant from time to time.
Required Skills and Experience
- Experience and understanding of the UK Defence, acquisition process and budgets.
- Knowledge of British Army Collective Training and the Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP)
- Experience of working at or with DE&S
- Leadership and teamwork skills.
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
- Developed social skills and a positive attitude.
- Service oriented approach.
- Flexibility and Adaptability
- Documented experience of marketing and sales or other relevant sectors.
- Knowledge of business and planning processes.
- Have sufficient product knowledge in terms of technical base specifications and commercial aspects in order to be able to assume the CSR role.
Seniority level
- Seniority levelDirector
Employment type
- Employment typeFull-time
Job function
- Job functionBusiness Development
- IndustriesMilitary and International Affairs
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Head of Business Development & Sales employer: Saab UK
Contact Detail:
Saab UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Development & Sales
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the defence sector, especially those with connections to the British Army and Ministry of Defence. Attend industry events and seminars where you can meet key stakeholders and learn more about current trends and opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Saab's product portfolio, particularly in Training and Simulation. Understanding their offerings will help you engage in meaningful conversations and demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the Competitive and Market Intelligence (CMI) process that Saab employs. Being able to discuss how you would contribute to this process can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with large campaigns and stakeholder management. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex relationships in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development & Sales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in business development and sales, particularly within the defence sector. Emphasise any previous roles that involved stakeholder management and understanding of the UK Defence acquisition process.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should clearly articulate your understanding of Saab's mission and how your background aligns with the role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to build relationships with key stakeholders, especially within the Ministry of Defence.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, highlight skills such as leadership, teamwork, and excellent communication. Provide examples of how you've successfully led campaigns or managed large projects, particularly in a military context.
Research Saab UK: Familiarise yourself with Saab UK's operations, values, and recent developments. This knowledge will help you tailor your application and prepare for potential interview questions about how you can contribute to their growth in the UK market.
How to prepare for a job interview at Saab UK
✨Understand the Defence Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the UK Defence sector, particularly the British Army's Collective Training and the Collective Training Transformation Programme. This knowledge will help you engage effectively with stakeholders and demonstrate your understanding of the industry.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed relationships with key stakeholders, especially within the Ministry of Defence. Highlight your ability to build trust and maintain long-term partnerships.
✨Demonstrate Business Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience in business development and sales, particularly in relation to the defence sector. Prepare to explain how you've identified and qualified new business opportunities and how you approach market analysis.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about how you would handle specific challenges related to the Winning Business process and customer relationship management.