AWS Campaign Lead – Hybrid Navy in Portsmouth

Location: Crawley, Bristol, Reading or Portsmouth

Other: full-time, hybrid, with 50% domestic travel

Step into a role where you’ll shape the future of naval capability, influence decision‑makers across the UK and NATO, and help drive one of the most significant transformations in modern maritime defence!

What the role has to offer

• Shape UK and NATO customer thinking at all levels, positioning Thales as the trusted partner in the Hybrid Navy transition.
• Lead complex capture campaigns from stakeholder mapping and solution definition through to demonstrations, partnerships and competitive positioning.
• Apply deep understanding of Hybrid Navy concepts and AAW (Anti-Air Warfare) needs to engage credibly with MoD, Royal Navy and industry and shape customer‑aligned solutions.

Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Sales AWS (Above Water Systems), you will lead the AWS‑UK campaign driving the Royal Navy’s transition toward a Hybrid Navy concept aligned with the 1st Sea Lord’s vision. Leveraging deep AAW expertise, you will shape and strengthen collaboration with the UK MoD, positioning AWS‑UK as a trusted partner and building on our Mission System Integration success in the Type 31 Design & Build programme.

We’re seeking an individual with credible operational experience in the maritime and air domains, capable of translating Thales’ capabilities into clear, influential insight for UK MoD and NATO stakeholders. You will be a confident self‑starter who can navigate complex IAMD (Integrated Air and Missile Defence) environments, cultivate high‑value relationships, and drive business‑winning activity in a competitive landscape. Exceptional communication, problem‑solving and stakeholder‑management skills are essential.

The ideal candidate is a former Naval Warfare Officer who has since gained business development and capture experience within industry, ideally with a strong domestic sales & business development background. We also welcome applications from individuals with transferable experience seeking a lateral move into a high‑impact, strategically significant role.

Building a Future, we can all trust.

At Thales, customer focus and innovation drive everything we do. Our Strategy, Marketing and Sales teams lead the way, powered by advanced digital technologies such as AI, Quantum, 6G, Cybersecurity and Neuroscience. Joining us means becoming part of a community committed to making the world safer through purposeful, customer‑focused innovation.

Within Defence Mission Systems (DMS), we deliver cutting‑edge solutions across electronic combat systems, airborne surveillance, and above‑ and underwater combat capabilities. In Above Water Systems (AWS) – Naval Forces, we support navies operating in some of the world’s most demanding environments, helping them maintain tactical and strategic advantage. With a global presence and strong local partnerships, we work together to build a future we can all trust.

What we offer you

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

• Annual bonus (VCP)
• Pension – match like-for-like up to 7% of annual base salary
• Life Assurance – 2 x base salary minimum (8 x salary if part of the pension scheme)
• Income Protection – 50% of salary less state benefits for 5 years
• Annual Leave – 201 hours, bank holidays, plus 1 company day
• Private Medical Insurance - Couples cover
• 4 day working week – 9.25 hours per day
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• 24 hours paid leave for volunteering activities
• Access to flexible benefits and discounts – dental insurance, buying & selling annual leave, cycle to work, and many more

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Lead stakeholder engagement to drive growth in Hybrid Navy opportunities across UK and export markets.
• Coordinate and align Hybrid Navy capture activity across Thales UK Domains.
• Build strong engagement with Royal Navy and NATO stakeholders, shaping their Hybrid Navy direction.
• Plan and execute capture activities, positioning AWS‑UK as the Royal Navy’s partner of choice.
• Provide MoD insight on how industry can address capability needs and influence AAW‑related working groups.
• Define the Thales Hybrid Navy and Atlantic Shield/Strike solution, and work with engineering teams to map required capabilities.
• Secure CFR&D funding to de‑risk solutions and deliver capability demonstrations, including MMC.
• Identify solution gaps and partnership opportunities, integrating third‑party suppliers where needed.
• Produce white papers, value propositions, and customer messaging to shape market thinking.
• Represent Thales at key events e.g., annual Combined Naval Event (CNE) and deliver internal briefings on Hybrid Navy and AAW concepts.

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 world’s most critical challenges.

• Proven experience in a similar role, or clearly transferable skills suited to a complex defence environment.
• Demonstrated experience of warfighting operations in the maritime and air domains, providing credible operational insight.
• Proven success in business winning within a competitive environment, with the ability to influence customer direction.
• Demonstrated understanding of Thales’ capabilities and global position, and the ability to communicate this effectively to UK MoD and NATO.
• Proven knowledge of the IAMD environment and associated battlespace domains, with the ability to apply this understanding to customer needs.
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly identify problems and coordinate the right resources to resolve them, with the ability to work autonomously.
• Demonstrated ability to map, maintain and expand stakeholder networks across MoD and NATO, with strong communication, partnership and stakeholder‑management skills.

If you’re ready to make a strategic impact at the heart of the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy evolution, please apply now.

UKEO (UK Eyes Only)

Due to security restrictions, this role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC). If already held, it is advantageous; if not, the successful applicant must obtain and maintain SC prior to commencing employment. A dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered if approved by the MOD.

Please visit the UKSV website for guidance: United Kingdom Security Vetting Clearance Levels. To be eligible for full SC, residence requirements in the UK apply as described by DBS NSV guidance.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide identity and eligibility documentation. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance. For details, refer to DBS NSV guidance.

Thales UK is committed to inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment. Reasonable adjustments are provided on request. For adjustments or questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!