Head of Business Development & Sales

Head of Business Development & Sales

Full-Time 72000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Saab UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead business development and sales for Saab's defence solutions, focusing on stakeholder engagement.
  • Company: Join Saab UK, a leader in defence innovation, with a growing presence and diverse career opportunities.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
  • Other info: National Security Vetting clearance is required; a background in the British Army is preferred.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of defence while building relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Qualifications: Experience in UK Defence, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities are essential.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 100000 £ 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 level

    Director

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Business Development
  • Industries

    Military and International Affairs

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Head of Business Development & Sales employer: Saab UK

At Saab UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the defence sector. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive training opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional development. Located in the heart of the UK, our team enjoys a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and a strong connection to the Ministry of Defence, making it an exciting place to build a meaningful career.

Saab UK

Contact Details:

Saab UK Recruitment 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 who have experience with the Ministry of Defence. Attend industry events and seminars to meet potential contacts who can provide insights or referrals.

Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with Saab's Barracuda and Tactical Support Solutions portfolio. Understanding the products inside out will help you engage effectively with stakeholders and demonstrate your expertise during discussions.

Tip Number 3

Research recent developments in UK defence policies and procurement processes. Being knowledgeable about current trends will allow you to speak confidently about how Saab can meet the needs of the MOD.

Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your previous experience in running large campaigns and managing stakeholders. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your leadership skills and ability to drive business development.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development & Sales

Stakeholder Management
Business Development
Sales Strategy Creation
Market Intelligence Analysis
Customer Relationship Management
Negotiation Skills
Leadership and Teamwork

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 large campaign execution.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, clearly articulate your understanding of Saab's products and the UK defence landscape. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to build relationships with key stakeholders, especially within the Ministry of Defence.

Showcase Leadership Skills:Highlight instances where you have led teams or projects successfully. Provide examples of how you prioritised tasks and managed time effectively in high-pressure environments, as these skills are crucial for the Head of Business Development & Sales role.

Demonstrate Market Knowledge:Include insights into your understanding of market trends and competitor analysis in your application. This will show your capability to conduct business intelligence and develop winning strategies for Saab's product portfolio.

How to prepare for a job interview at Saab UK

Research Saab and Its Products

Before the interview, make sure to thoroughly research Saab UK, especially their Barracuda and Tactical Support Solutions portfolio. Understanding their products and how they fit into the UK defence landscape will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.

Showcase Stakeholder Management Experience

Given the importance of stakeholder engagement in this role, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences managing relationships with key stakeholders, particularly within the Ministry of Defence. Highlight specific campaigns you've run and the outcomes achieved.

Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Head of Business Development & Sales, leadership is crucial. Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, focusing on your ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively in high-pressure environments.

Prepare for Market Intelligence Discussion

Since conducting market and competitor analysis is part of the role, prepare to discuss your approach to business intelligence. Share any relevant experiences where you've identified opportunities and developed strategies that led to successful sales.