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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic engagement in defence and security using innovative space technology.
- Company: A pioneering UK space innovation organisation focused on national security.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunity to shape national impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in defence and security while driving economic growth.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in defence or space sectors.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for professional development and impact.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Our client is a UK based space innovation organisation operating at the forefront of national security and defence capability. They are seeking a senior Director Defence and Security to lead strategic engagement across the UK defence and security ecosystem.
This is a high impact leadership role for an individual motivated by the application of space technology to real world defence and security challenges in the UK and internationally. The role sits at the intersection of space, defence, and government priorities, with a clear mandate to deliver national impact, support sovereign capability, and contribute to economic growth.
As Defence Lead, the successful candidate will shape and deliver defence strategy, build trusted senior relationships across government and industry, and lead initiatives that strengthen national resilience through cutting edge, dual use space capabilities, aligned to the UK National Space Strategy and UK Defence Space Strategy.
Role Purpose
As Director Defence and Security, you will shape and deliver the organisation’s defence strategy, building trusted relationships across the defence and security landscape and ensuring readiness to meet evolving customer needs. You will lead a small team and work across a matrix organisation to deliver high impact outcomes, including mission led programmes. You will also support high potential businesses operating in the defence and space sector, helping accelerate their growth to meet customer demand.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Refine and execute the defence and security strategy in alignment with national priorities and defence space policy.
- Demand Creation: Drive opportunity generation and develop a robust pipeline to support sustainable growth.
- Team Leadership: Lead a small core team and coordinate cross functional matrix teams across multiple programmes.
- Delivery Oversight: Ensure effective delivery of defence related activities and strengthen organisational capability to service defence contracts.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Lead senior level customer engagement and build trusted relationships across defence, security, government, and industry.
- Capability Development: Support the development of technical, cultural, and infrastructure capabilities required by defence customers.
- Financial Management: Manage budgets and maintain strong financial oversight to support long term sustainability.
- Performance Tracking: Monitor progress against milestones and KPIs to maintain momentum and accountability.
Skills and Attributes
- Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills, with the ability to build long term trusted relationships across government, industry, and internal teams.
- Confident public speaker, experienced in presenting to senior stakeholders and diverse audiences.
- Skilled in producing compelling stakeholder presentations and proposals for both technical and non technical audiences.
- Ability to develop creative, client focused solutions to complex problems.
- Comfortable operating at a strategic and conceptual level, articulating clear value propositions.
- Collaborative mindset, with experience horizon scanning emerging technologies and capabilities.
- Ability to co create and deliver joined up market engagement strategies.
- Experience aligning corporate marketing and communications with sector specific messaging to support lead generation.
- Strong focus on measurable impact, revenue generation, and outcomes.
- Effective operator within matrix organisations, leveraging cross functional expertise.
- Proactive in identifying and resolving internal blockers to maintain delivery pace.
- Able to shift between long term strategy and near term operational delivery as required.
- Must hold, or be eligible to obtain, UK Security Clearance, with potential requirement for DV clearance.
Desirable Experience
- Background working with or within defence, space, government innovation bodies, or public private partnerships.
- Understanding of mission led innovation models within defence and space contexts.
- Knowledge of dual use technologies and their role in national resilience and security.
Director of Defence and Security employer: Unify
Contact Detail:
Unify Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Defence and Security
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence and security sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Building those relationships can open doors for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with industry leaders or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience and how it aligns with the role. Use specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past, especially those related to defence and space.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! In interviews, be ready for scenario-based questions that test your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Think about how you would approach real-world challenges in defence and security, and be prepared to discuss your thought process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that dream job. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining the team. Let’s get you started on this exciting journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Defence and Security
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in defence and security. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Leadership Skills: As a Director, we’re looking for strong leadership qualities. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and engage with senior stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully managed projects or initiatives in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key messages come through loud and clear. This will help us understand your value quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unify
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest developments in defence and space technology. Brush up on the UK National Space Strategy and Defence Space Strategy, as these will be key talking points during your interview.
✨Build Your Narrative
Prepare a compelling story about your leadership experience and how it aligns with the role. Think about specific examples where you've successfully led teams or projects that had a significant impact on national security or defence.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss how you’ve built trusted relationships across various sectors. Highlight your experience in engaging with senior stakeholders and how you’ve navigated complex environments to achieve results.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Demonstrate your ability to think strategically by discussing how you would refine and execute the defence strategy for the organisation. Be prepared to share your insights on emerging technologies and how they can be leveraged for national resilience.
