At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development and strategy for aviation solutions, driving high-value sales and growth.
- Company: Sagentia, a top global consultancy in aviation and regulatory services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to shape the future of aviation.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career progression opportunities in a thriving sector.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of aviation innovation and make a real impact on industry growth.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in aviation strategy and business development with strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Sagentia is a leading global regulatory, science and technology consultancy. It excels in research and development, safety and regulatory services, and technical programme delivery. The business has five practices operating internationally across the highly regulated markets of aviation, medical, defence, consumer, food and beverage, and industrial.
Sagentia Aviation are proven aviation experts who deliver full lifecycle support across complex airspace, air traffic management and aerodrome system projects. We provide the skills and capacity to support and manage regulation, safeguarding and certification within airspace, technical safety and communication, navigation and surveillance systems. We have an enviable track record of success as a small consultancy within the aviation sector.
The role involves leading the overall planning and execution of our opportunity pipeline, ensuring a structured and proactive approach to strategy, business development and growth. The role drives high-value sales streams, including airspace change programmes and technical solutions, while working closely with customers and stakeholders to convert opportunities into successful contracts. In collaboration with the wider team, the role enables progression from seed corn contracts to scale opportunities, strengthens market engagement and expands the pipeline to achieve sustainable revenue growth.
This is a great opportunity for the right individual who will be the focal point for our business growth in the aviation business and the primary contact internally and externally for growth opportunities. We are seeking a proven leader in strategy and business development with an established aviation network and knowledge across the aviation ecosystem, capable of driving long term growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Ownership of the business development strategy, plans and key account management.
- Assurance of bid quality, pipeline quality and business process adherence including customer relationship management information maintenance.
- Execution of governance processes from opportunity identification through contract award.
- Ownership of the overall commercial offer and leadership of pre-award negotiation.
- Management of direct reports and intra- and cross-team engagement to facilitate the overall business strategy.
The key performance characteristics of the role are focused on pipeline performance throughout the full opportunity lifecycle, principally measured by meeting the agreed business revenue plan, overall pipeline growth, bid-to-contract conversion and productive engagement with our clients and industry stakeholders.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Commercial acumen: Demonstrable experience in a business-oriented role in the UK aviation sector (e.g. sales, business development, operations management) with good understanding of commercial quality and terms.
- Strategy development: Strategic thinker with proven ability to synthesise new business strategies and deliver a long-term growth plan, identifying market opportunities and potential for service expansion.
- Technical credibility: Understanding of the UK aviation regulatory landscape and a deep understanding of industry challenges and trends.
- Collaboration: Effective team player, able to identify and capitalise on cross-selling opportunities, demonstrating the integrated value proposition across capability domains.
- Communication: Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills. Confident and credible presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders internal and external to the organisation.
- Degree qualified or calibre, ideally in a related discipline.
- Relevant professional qualifications for your area of expertise.
- Relevant software capability to manage work deliverables.
Head of Aviation Solutions in Somerset employer: Sagentia
As a leading-edge product development and technology services company based in Harston, Cambridge, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. Our employees benefit from competitive salaries, bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package, alongside opportunities for professional growth through diverse projects across various sectors. Join us to be part of a talented team where your creativity and technical expertise will directly contribute to impactful solutions that enhance lives and industries.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Aviation Solutions in Somerset
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Sagentia for a Head of Aviation Solutions. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Aviation Solutions in Somerset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Sagentia, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Sagentia, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sagentia
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Sagentia.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Sagentia. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Sagentia love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.