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- Tasks: Drive growth in the UK defence sector and lead complex sales engagements.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on defence manufacturing and aerospace solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid work, and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the defence industry while shaping strategic partnerships.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in defence sales and government procurement processes.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 130000 £ per year.
Location: London or Birmingham, Hybrid
Salary: £110,000 - £130,000 per annum (depending on experience) + bonus & benefits
A senior opportunity for an experienced defence-sector sales leader to drive growth across UK defence manufacturing and aerospace organisations. This role owns the UK go-to-market strategy for defence, leading the pursuit and closure of complex, high-value opportunities aligned to government procurement and compliance frameworks. You will work across industry, government, and partner ecosystems to develop pipeline, shape solutions, and convert strategic opportunities into long-term revenue.
Responsibilities
- Commercial Growth & Go-to-Market: Own and execute the UK defence go-to-market strategy, aligned to organisational growth objectives.
- Commercial Growth & Go-to-Market: Identify, qualify, and develop opportunities within defence manufacturing and aerospace organisations.
- Commercial Growth & Go-to-Market: Lead complex sales engagements from initial opportunity through to contract award and commercial close.
- Commercial Growth & Go-to-Market: Deliver against agreed revenue targets and pipeline commitments.
- Defence Market Engagement: Maintain strong awareness of UK defence procurement models, policy developments, and government initiatives.
- Defence Market Engagement: Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging demand within defence digital and IT-enabled solutions.
- Defence Market Engagement: Establish and grow relationships across prime contractors, OEMs, government bodies, and delivery partners.
- Defence Market Engagement: Develop and manage strategic partnerships to support market entry and scale.
- Bid & Contract Leadership: Lead responses to government tenders, RFPs, and framework opportunities.
- Bid & Contract Leadership: Shape commercial propositions in collaboration with technical, delivery, and pre-sales teams.
- Bid & Contract Leadership: Support contract negotiation, pricing strategy, and deal governance through to signature.
- Internal & Group Alignment: Act as the UK defence commercial lead, coordinating sales activity across internal stakeholders.
- Internal & Group Alignment: Provide market insight, pipeline visibility, and GTM updates to senior leadership.
- Internal & Group Alignment: Ensure all opportunities align with regulatory, compliance, and security requirements.
Required Experience
- Significant experience selling solutions into the UK defence and aerospace sector.
- Demonstrated success managing government procurement processes and long, complex sales cycles.
- Proven ability to close high-value, multi-stakeholder deals within regulated environments.
- Experience engaging defence manufacturers, prime contractors, or government customers.
Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
Senior Business Development Manager - Defence employer: Sanderson Government & Defence
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Government & Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development Manager - Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the defence sector. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to people for a chat. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you’re chatting with potential employers or networking contacts, make sure to highlight your experience in managing complex sales cycles and government procurement processes. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and initiatives in the defence sector. This will not only help you answer questions but also show that you’re genuinely interested in their work. Plus, it gives you a chance to ask insightful questions!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you a better chance of getting noticed by hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager - Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in the defence sector and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can drive growth and lead complex sales engagements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed government procurement processes and closed high-value deals in the past. Let us know what excites you about working with us!
Showcase Your Market Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the UK defence market in your application. Mention any insights you have on procurement models, policy developments, or emerging trends. This will show us that you're not just experienced, but also well-informed and ready to engage with key stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and let us know why you’d be a great addition to our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government & Defence
✨Know Your Defence Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the UK defence sector. Familiarise yourself with current procurement models, government initiatives, and key players in the market. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can drive growth effectively.
✨Showcase Your Sales Success
Prepare to discuss specific examples of high-value deals you've closed in the past. Highlight your experience with complex sales cycles and how you've navigated government procurement processes. Use metrics to quantify your success, as numbers speak volumes in this industry.
✨Build Relationships Virtually
Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you've built and maintained relationships in a hybrid environment. Share strategies you've used to connect with prime contractors, OEMs, and government bodies, especially in a remote setting.
✨Align with Company Values
StudySmarter values diversity and inclusion, so make sure to reflect these principles in your responses. Discuss how you've fostered inclusive environments in your previous roles and how you plan to contribute to a diverse workplace in the defence sector.
