At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the growth of Thales Integrated Airspace‑Protection Systems in the UK and beyond.
- Company: Join a leading defence technology company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for international travel and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of airspace protection and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic thinking and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Belfast, United Kingdom (frequent UK and international travel)
Reporting To: IAS UK Managing Director and UK Chief Growth Officer
Role Overview: Lead the growth of Thales Integrated Airspace‑Protection Systems business across UK and key export markets, develop 5‑year business plans, shape customer thinking, and manage the IAS sales function.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver profitable business growth, including annual order intake (OI) and Gross Margin (GMOI), while optimizing market penetration.
- Build and share vision on market evolution, objectives, and projects; prepare roadmaps and set priorities.
- Organize regular team meetings addressing actual & forecast OI, revenue, and opportunities.
- Contribute to building and executing strategic and key account plans.
- Work closely with Value, Bid, and Capture functions to deliver high‑level value propositions and winning bids.
- Manage performance using sales organizational principles across channels and markets.
- Act as a role model, coach team members, mitigate risks through lessons learnt.
- Encourage digital, disruptive, or innovative offers and provide managerial leadership to foster value proposition, price‑to‑win, and black‑hat analysis.
- Engage and develop people through feedback and coaching.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated success building respect and trust with stakeholders at all levels within complex defence businesses and external stakeholders such as UK MoD, export customers, and sovereign governments.
- Experience of strategic, results‑oriented thinking, coordinating multifunctional teams and resources to deliver tangible results in OI, GMOI, revenue and market growth.
- Familiarity with navigating complex matrixed organisations, leveraging relationships and power dynamics to achieve optimal results, including partnering with primes and joint ventures.
- Excellent team building, clear direction setting, and capability development for accelerated growth.
- Ability to represent Thales Group holistically to customers, ensuring alignment with broader vision and offerings.
Application Close Date: 15th June 2026.
IAS UK Sales Director employer: Thales UK Limited
Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Belfast that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for volunteering, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your professional development in the exciting fields of cybersecurity and technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IAS UK Sales Director
✨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 Thales UK Limited for a IAS UK Sales 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 IAS UK Sales Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Thales UK Limited, 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 Thales UK Limited, 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 Thales UK Limited
✨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 Thales UK Limited.
✨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 Thales UK Limited. 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 Thales UK Limited love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
