At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a UK business in defence innovation and advanced technology.
- Company: Innovative tech company at the forefront of defence and aerospace solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, autonomy in leadership, and opportunity to shape the future.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a high-performing team and establish strategic partnerships.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal growth phase and influence cutting-edge technologies for defence and security.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in defence, aerospace, or advanced technology sectors.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
- Managing Director
- Defence | Aerospace | Advanced Technology | R&D | Government Programmes
- Salisbury - UK Travel required Competitive Salary
The Opportunity
Our client is an innovative technology company developing advanced solutions across defence, aerospace, security and autonomous systems.
With an established international presence, they are now investing heavily in growing their UK operation and are looking to appoint a commercially focused Managing Director to lead the next phase of expansion.
This is an opportunity to build and lead a UK business operating at the forefront of defence innovation, working with government organisations, prime contractors and industry partners to deliver cutting-edge technologies from concept through to deployment.
The successful individual will be responsible for driving business growth, developing strategic partnerships, winning new programmes and building a high-performing engineering organisation capable of delivering complex technology solutions.
The Role
As Managing Director, you will take full responsibility for the UK business, leading both its commercial growth and operational delivery.
Working closely with the executive leadership team, you'll develop the UK strategy, identify new market opportunities, strengthen customer relationships and oversee the successful delivery of advanced engineering programmes across defence, aerospace and government sectors.
This role combines strategic leadership, business development, programme oversight and operational management.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the long-term growth strategy for the UK business.
- Build relationships across the UK Defence, Aerospace and Government sectors.
- Identify and secure new business opportunities with organisations including MOD, Dstl, DASA, Innovate UK, UK Space Agency, ESA and major defence primes.
- Lead the preparation of winning technical and commercial proposals.
- Oversee the successful delivery of complex customer-funded R&D programmes.
- Provide leadership across multidisciplinary engineering and programme teams. Recruit, develop and mentor future leaders as the business grows.
- Manage operational performance, budgets, forecasting and resource planning.
- Ensure compliance with quality, export control, regulatory and security requirements.
- Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events and conferences.
- Build a culture centred around innovation, collaboration and technical excellence.
What We're Looking For
We're interested in speaking with senior leaders who have experience growing technology-focused businesses within defence, aerospace or security environments.
You'll be commercially minded, technically credible and comfortable operating at executive level with customers, government stakeholders and industry partners.
Essential Experience
- Senior leadership experience within Defence, Aerospace, Security or Advanced Technology.
- Proven success winning government-funded programmes and commercial contracts.
- Strong understanding of the UK defence landscape and procurement process.
- Experience working with organisations such as MOD, Dstl, DASA, Innovate UK, UK Space Agency or equivalent.
- Demonstrable experience leading complex engineering or technology programmes.
- Strong commercial and financial management skills.
- Experience building, developing and leading high-performing technical teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills.
- Eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance.
Highly Desirable
- Experience within AI, Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Electronic Warfare, Sensors, Embedded Systems or Defence Technology.
- Experience leading innovation or R&D organisations.
- Existing network across UK Government, Defence Primes and Technology Partners.
- Experience growing businesses from SME through to scale-up.
- Experience managing P&L responsibility.
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to join an ambitious technology business at a pivotal stage of growth and genuinely shape its future.
You'll have the autonomy to build the UK organisation, influence strategy, establish long-term partnerships and play a key role in delivering technologies that will support future defence and security capability.
If you're looking for an executive leadership opportunity where you can combine commercial growth, innovation and strategic delivery, we'd love to hear from you
Managing Director in Salisbury employer: Shorterm Group
As a leading Rail Manufacturing company in Derbyshire, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. Our Graduate Engineer programme offers a structured pathway with diverse placements, ensuring ample opportunities for professional growth and hands-on experience across various engineering disciplines. With a commitment to employee development and a supportive environment, we provide a rewarding career journey for aspiring engineers looking to make a meaningful impact in the rail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director in Salisbury
✨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 Shorterm Group for a Managing Director. 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 Managing Director in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Shorterm Group, 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 Shorterm Group, 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 Shorterm Group
✨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 Shorterm Group.
✨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 Shorterm Group. 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 Shorterm Group love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
