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- Tasks: Drive growth in the UK defence sector and lead complex sales engagements.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on innovative solutions in defence and aerospace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid work, and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the defence industry while shaping strategic opportunities.
- 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.
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- Own and execute the UK defence go-to-market strategy, aligned to organisational growth objectives.
- Identify, qualify, and develop opportunities within defence manufacturing and aerospace organisations.
- Lead complex sales engagements from initial opportunity through to contract award and commercial close.
- Deliver against agreed revenue targets and pipeline commitments.
- Maintain strong awareness of UK defence procurement models, policy developments, and government initiatives.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging demand within defence digital and IT-enabled solutions.
- Establish and grow relationships across prime contractors, OEMs, government bodies, and delivery partners.
- Develop and manage strategic partnerships to support market entry and scale.
- Lead responses to government tenders, RFPs, and framework opportunities.
- Shape commercial propositions in collaboration with technical, delivery, and pre-sales teams.
- Support contract negotiation, pricing strategy, and deal governance through to signature.
- Act as the UK defence commercial lead, coordinating sales activity across internal stakeholders.
- Provide market insight, pipeline visibility, and GTM updates to senior leadership.
- Ensure all opportunities align with regulatory, compliance, and security requirements.
- 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.
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 in City of London employer: Sanderson Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development Manager - Defence in City of London
✨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 recruiters, make sure to highlight your experience in navigating government procurement processes and closing complex deals. Share specific examples that demonstrate your success in the defence sector.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on the company and its position in the defence market. Be ready to discuss current trends and how you can contribute to their growth strategy. Tailor your responses to show you understand their challenges and how you can help solve them.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our mission in the defence sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager - Defence in City of London
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. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Market Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the UK defence market in your application. Mention any trends or insights you've noticed, and how they could impact our go-to-market strategy. This shows us you're not just applying for a job, but you're genuinely interested in the industry!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Recruitment
✨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 in this complex environment.
✨Showcase Your Sales Success
Prepare to discuss specific examples of high-value deals you've closed in the past. Highlight your experience with long sales cycles and multi-stakeholder negotiations. Use metrics to quantify your success, as numbers speak volumes in the business development world.
✨Understand Their Go-to-Market Strategy
Research the company's current go-to-market strategy for defence. Be ready to discuss how you would align your approach with their objectives. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Build Relationships on the Spot
During the interview, demonstrate your ability to build relationships by engaging with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their partnerships and market engagement strategies. This will showcase your interpersonal skills and your understanding of the importance of collaboration in the defence sector.
