Sales Manager in Lisburn

Location: Reading, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Sales Manager Location: Reading, Crawley, Bristol, Templecombe and Belfast (any Thales office)

Other: permanent, full-time, hybrid, with 30 - 50% domestic & international travel

Lead the capture of next-generation radar solutions and help shape the future of UK air defence!

What the role has to offer

• Shape the Future of UK Radar Capability - influence and secure major Radar programmes supporting national defence, security and critical infrastructure, with the chance to steer next-generation solutions and technology roadmaps
• High-Impact, High-Visibility Role - operate at the centre of strategic customer engagement, senior decision-making and multinational capture activity, working directly with UK Government, the MoD and industry leaders
• Cutting-Edge Radar Innovation - join a global technology leader with access to advanced Radar systems, world-class engineering teams and a diverse portfolio across land, naval and integrated air defence domains

Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Sales Director (AOW), you will be accountable for maximising order intake, GMOI and overall customer satisfaction across the UK market. The role requires qualifying the opportunity pipeline, detailed customer mapping using the Blue Sheet methodology (or equivalent), and the development of robust capture plans that identify and engage key stakeholders across complex organisations. As Capture Leader, you will define the long-term capture strategy, align internal stakeholders and drive opportunities from initial shaping through to contract signature. Core business focus areas include air defence and air surveillance radar solutions across both land and naval domains. The role requires proven success leading multinational capture or campaign teams in demanding environments, with strong experience selling complex solutions into UK Government, the MoD, policing or critical national infrastructure. You will bring solid radar expertise, excellent stakeholder and customer-engagement skills, and the ability to communicate, negotiate and develop compelling proposals. A self-driven approach, strong collaboration skills and the ability to obtain and maintain security clearance are essential.

Building a Future, we can all trust. Focus on customers and Innovation are two key values at Thales, and they are at the heart of our Strategy, Marketing and Sales teams globally. Digital technologies that play a crucial role in our future, such as AI, Quantum, 6G, Cybersecurity and Neuroscience, account for nearly half of our innovations. Joining Thales means being part of a community driven by passion and the determination to go the extra mile for our customers, to make the world a better place.

IAS sits at the centre of armed forces operational priorities and is a major growth area for Thales. Its mission is to ensure national airspace sovereignty and to support the Armed Forces in protecting populations and critical infrastructure from all forms of aerial threat. The portfolio is built around three core product lines: national-level airspace security solutions using advanced radars and command-and-control systems; medium-range weapon systems that protect regional airspace against diverse threats; and short-range weapon systems that deliver close-in, tactical-level air defence over a few kilometres.

What We Offer You

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees wellbeing and professional growth, which includes:

• Performance-related bonus
• Car cash allowance
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a high-impact Radar sales strategy for the UK, driving ambitious growth and market expansion
• Identify, qualify and secure new business opportunities across UK Defence, building a strong and sustainable pipeline
• Build, nurture and expand influential relationships with key customers, decision-makers and industry partners
• Lead compelling bid and proposal activities, including tender responses, customer presentations, solution demos and contract negotiations
• Maintain deep insight into the UK Radar landscape, competitor activity and emerging threat trends to stay ahead of the market
• Channel customer insights back to product and engineering teams to shape competitive, future-ready solutions
• Represent Thales as a Radar subject matter expert at major industry events, trade shows and conferences
• Collaborate closely with engineering, marketing, commercial, bid and programme teams to streamline sales delivery and elevate customer satisfaction
• Ensure all activities meet UK regulatory, export control and cybersecurity requirements, upholding the highest standards of compliance

About You

At Thales, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the worlds most critical challenges.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in a similar role, or clearly transferable skills suited to air defence and air surveillance radar solutions across both land and naval domains
• Proven track record in sales or business development within defence, security or high-technology sectors, including selling complex technology or security solutions to UK Government, MoD, policing or critical infrastructure clients
• Resilience and the ability to manage complex, high-pressure campaigns within an international organisation, including proactive reporting to senior management
• Strong, acquired knowledge of Radar technologies, capabilities, applications and the associated threat landscape
• Demonstrated excellence in customer relationship management, negotiation, communication, presentation and proposal development
• Demonstrated ability to understand customer needs, capture key selling points and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Proven leadership skills with experience motivating and coordinating multinational capture or campaign teams
• Highly motivated and self-driven, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across cross-functional teams
• Consistent demonstration of Lead@Thales behaviours Think Big, Make it Happen, Together while fostering strong teams and enabling impactful, entrepreneurial decision-making
• Ability to obtain and maintain relevant security clearance

If you're ready to make a real impact in a high-profile, mission-critical role, we encourage you to apply.

Security Clearance Statement

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.

If this role isn't quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities.

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