At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic growth and build relationships in government and defence sectors across Europe.
- Company: Join World Fuel, a leader in global fuel and logistics solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative culture, and opportunities for international exposure.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on mission-critical operations.
- Why this job: Shape the future of government support while driving impactful growth strategies.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in business development or account management with government experience.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
At World Fuel, our employees are the key to our global success.
We are industry leaders due to the innumerable talents of our approximately 5000 strong professional team.
Our people thrive in an entrepreneurial and culturally-diverse environment, where innovative thinking, collaboration and efficient execution are highly valued.
Our high-performance culture is what allows us to drive sustained growth.
Stronger together, we promote an environment where individuals can thrive.
- Director Government & Defence Solutions | EMEA
- Lead Strategic Defence & Government Growth Across Europe
Location
London, UK | Canary Wharf
World Fuel Government Solutions is seeking a commercially-driven and strategically-minded Director, Government & Defence Solutions (EMEA) to expand and strengthen our government and defence business across Europe.
This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for developing key customer relationships, growing strategic government accounts, identifying new opportunities, and leading complex pursuits across defence, military, NATO, and government organisations throughout the region.
The successful candidate will serve as a trusted partner to customers, helping shape long-term fuel, logistics, and operational support solutions while driving sustainable revenue growth and expanding World Fuel's presence across the government and defence sector.
This role is based in London (Canary Wharf) and requires regular in-person engagement with customers, stakeholders, and colleagues.
Why This Role Matters
World Fuel Government Solutions supports some of the world's most complex government, military, defence, aviation, and logistics operations.
As Director, Government & Defence Solutions (EMEA), you will play a critical role in strengthening relationships with key customers while driving strategic growth across Europe.
You will help shape the future of our government business, working directly with senior defence, procurement, logistics, operational, and executive stakeholders.
This is an opportunity to influence both regional growth strategy and the successful delivery of mission-critical government programs.
What You'll Do
- Drive Strategic Growth Across EMEA
- Develop and execute growth strategies across the European government and defence market.
- Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities.
- Expand market share within key government and military sectors.
- Build and maintain a robust pipeline of strategic opportunities.
- Grow existing government and defence accounts while identifying new opportunities across fuel, aviation, logistics, and operational support services.
- Lead Strategic Customer Relationships
- Serve as the senior commercial relationship lead for key government and defence accounts.
- Build trusted relationships with procurement, logistics, operations, program, and executive stakeholders.
- Develop account strategies that drive long-term growth and customer success.
- Act as the primary point of escalation and executive engagement for major customers.
- Build and expand relationships across NATO, NSPA, Ministries of Defence, defence agencies, and strategic government customers throughout Europe.
- Lead Complex Pursuits & Contracts
- Support capture and pursuit strategies for major government and defence opportunities.
- Lead commercial negotiations and contract discussions.
- Coordinate internal teams during bid, proposal, and contract execution activities.
- Support successful contract transitions and implementation efforts.
- Contribute to framework agreements, tenders, and strategic growth initiatives.
- Influence Market Strategy
- Monitor government procurement activity, defence spending priorities, competitor activity, and emerging market opportunities.
- Identify trends that may impact future business growth.
- Partner with leadership to shape regional market strategies and business priorities.
- Collaborate Across the Business
- Work closely with Operations, Supply, Program Management, Finance, Legal, and Government Solutions teams.
- Ensure customer commitments are successfully delivered.
- Support customer retention and growth initiatives.
- Drive a culture of accountability, customer focus, and execution excellence.
What We're Looking For
- Required Experience
- 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, sales, account management, government contracting, or strategic customer leadership.
- Demonstrated success growing complex government, military, defence, logistics, aviation, transportation, energy, or operational support accounts.
- Proven track record of winning and expanding strategic government business.
- Experience navigating complex procurement and contracting environments.
- Strong commercial negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders across operations, procurement, logistics, and executive leadership functions.
- Ability to influence and build credibility within complex stakeholder environments.
- Highly Preferred
- Experience supporting NATO, NSPA, UK Ministry of Defence, European defence agencies, defence primes, or government support contractors.
- Knowledge of European government procurement and contracting frameworks.
- Experience within fuel, aviation, defence logistics, transportation, military sustainment, operational services, or adjacent sectors.
- Existing network of government, defence, procurement, logistics, or military stakeholders across Europe.
- Experience supporting complex bids, tenders, framework agreements, and long-term government programs.
- Who Thrives in This Role
- You Are Someone Who
- Builds trust quickly with senior stakeholders.
- Enjoys developing long-term strategic relationships.
- Balances commercial growth with operational execution.
- Is resilient and effective in complex environments.
- Can influence without direct authority.
- Understands how to navigate large government and defence organisations.
- Enjoys solving customer challenges and creating long-term value.
- Operates effectively across multiple countries, cultures, and stakeholder groups.
Why Join World Fuel Government Solutions?
- Lead growth across one of the most strategically important sectors in our business.
- Work directly with defence, military, NATO, and government organisations throughout Europe.
- Shape regional strategy and influence key customer relationships.
- Join a collaborative team supporting mission-critical operations around the world.
- Gain exposure to complex international programs, strategic pursuits, and executive-level engagement.
- Make a direct impact on how governments and defence organisations are supported across Europe.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Director, Strategic Accounts | Government Solutions (EMEA) in London employer: World Fuel
At World Fuel, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and culturally diverse work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Supply Operations Manager based in Canary Wharf, London, you will have the opportunity to lead critical aviation fuel operations across France, the UK, and Ireland, while benefiting from our commitment to employee growth and development. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the aviation industry and be part of a high-performance culture that values your contributions and supports your career advancement.
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We think you need these skills to ace Director, Strategic Accounts | Government Solutions (EMEA) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
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Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at World Fuel, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
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How to prepare for a job interview at World Fuel
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In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
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✨Portfolio of Projects
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✨Know their business model
Get familiar with World Fuel’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
