At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the growth of our defence portfolio and build key relationships in the sector.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-rated employer with a commitment to sustainability and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of defence projects while working closely with influential stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in the defence sector and strong relationship-building skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
As our new Regional Defence Sector Lead, you will play a pivotal role in building and growing Willmott Dixon's defence portfolio across our South/Midlands region, developing high-value relationships within the defence market, shaping a compelling pipeline of opportunities, and helping convert them into secured work. Reporting to one of our National Sector Lead (Defence) who sits within our strategic accounts and services division, this is a newly created position that reflects our strategic commitment to defence as a priority growth sector. This is a relationship-led, field-based role. You will spend much of your time with clients, consultants, and MOD stakeholders across the region, acting as a credible and trusted face of Willmott Dixon in the defence sector. You will work closely with our central defence team, Pre-Construction, and Business Development colleagues to ensure opportunities are shaped, positioned, and progressed effectively. This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to join at the ground floor of a strategic growth push, with the autonomy to shape your own approach and real influence over the direction of our regional healthcare business.
NB. This role is regionally based covering the South of England, Central England and surrounding areas region. Due to the nature of the role, regular travel across the region, and occasional national travel will be required. Candidates are expected to be office-based at least once per week, with most of the time spent with clients and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with MOD, DIO and key defence consultants to generate and sustain a strong pipeline of regional opportunities.
- Lead early-stage business development activity, identifying, shaping, and pre-positioning on healthcare opportunities including feasibilities, negotiated routes, and competitive bids.
- Support delivery of the Willmott Dixon national defence strategy at a regional level, providing market intelligence and insight to inform pipeline planning and investment decisions.
- Provide technical defence input to proposal and pre-construction teams, improving bid quality, consistency, and overall win rates, including input on defence planning, operational continuity, and compliance.
- Represent Willmott Dixon externally at industry events, conferences, defence working groups, and networking forums to enhance the company's visibility, reputation, and influence in the defence sector.
- Collaborate with senior executives, Business Development, Marketing, and Operations colleagues to ensure defence opportunities align with regional priorities and company capabilities.
- Monitor and share good practice and market intelligence across LCOs to support a consistent, high-quality, work-winning approach.
- Track and report on pipeline metrics, growth forecasts, and business development KPIs to assess progress and refine strategy.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Strong, demonstrable experience working within or alongside the MOD or wider defence sector, with a deep understanding of MOD governance, policy drivers, funding routes, business case approval processes, and key sector challenges.
- Proven track record of building and sustaining senior relationships with defence sector clients, DIO, and/or defence consultants, with an established and credible network.
- Good understanding of MOD procurement routes and frameworks, with the ability to work closely with regional framework leads.
- Strong market awareness, ability to anticipate demand, shape opportunities, and align solutions to client needs.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with the ability to operate credibly at board and senior executive level.
- Customer-focused mindset with high emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build rapport quickly across a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Collaborative, 'one team' approach, comfortable working across central and regional functions.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across the region.
Desirable Skills & Experience:
- MOD or direct defence operational or management experience.
- Knowledge of defence technical requirements and security clearance procedures, and operational continuity in live MOD environments.
- Experience within the construction or built environment sector (business development, pre-construction, or client-side) will be highly valued but not essential; the right candidate's defence expertise and transferable skills are the priority.
- Experience of bid and capture planning in a complex public sector procurement environment.
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience in a defence or related field.
About Us:
With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.
Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.
Regional Defence Sector Lead employer: Willmott Dixon Group
Willmott Dixon Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation within the Interiors team. With the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a balanced lifestyle while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages strong inter-team relationships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Defence Sector Lead
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Willmott Dixon Group, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Regional Defence Sector Lead at Willmott Dixon Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Defence Sector Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon Group
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
