Strategy and Future Business Director - Aviation in Bristol

Location: Flexible, UK + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Lead the future of UK Aviation strategy at Babcock. At Babcock, we are working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as the Strategy and Future Business Director, working from one of our United Kingdom hubs in a hybrid working arrangement.

The role:

• Hold a pivotal senior leadership position, reporting directly to the Managing Director for United Kingdom Aviation.
• Shape the strategic direction for the Aviation business, define a clear vision for future growth, and convert strategic intent into deliverable outcomes across the United Kingdom, Ireland and selected international markets.
• Set the strategic vision for the Aviation business and ensure alignment with Group and Sector priorities.
• Define and manage the business pipeline to ensure strategic goals are translated into executable, high‑quality outcomes.
• Lead growth activity across the United Kingdom, Ireland and selected international markets, shaping opportunities in both civil and defence aviation.
• Collaborate closely with business winning functions, Aviation senior leaders and operational teams to develop winning solutions and ensure effective mobilisation.
• Influence senior stakeholders across central government, defence and other key customer groups to support long‑term strategic growth.

This is a permanent, full‑time opportunity (forty hours per week) where you will guide long‑term capability development, strengthen the growth pipeline and create a compelling, competitive strategy that positions Babcock as a leader within both civil and defence aviation markets. Hybrid working is available, with travel required mainly in the UK with some international.

Essential experience:

• Extensive experience within the aviation market, including strategy development and business development.
• Senior leadership experience in large, complex organisations.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance and ability to operate effectively within matrix structures.
• Demonstrated success driving pipeline development and securing high‑value opportunities.
• Experience engaging and influencing senior defence and wider government stakeholders.

Qualifications:

We value difference and don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and/or willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

Security Clearance:

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) / Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.

What we offer:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity.

Babcock is a global FTSE 100 organization with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work‑life balance. We call that lifetime engineering. Join us and see how far we can go, together.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 03/04/2026