At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth in the aerospace defence sector and close complex deals.
- Company: Join ZeroAvia, a pioneering company in aviation technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy private health care, free lunches, and stock options.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace at Cotswold Airport with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in defence markets with a proven sales track record.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
ZeroAvia is seeking a senior commercial leader to lead and deliver growth across the aerospace defence sector. This role suits an experienced defence-market operator with a proven track record of closing complex deals, taking opportunities from early engagement through to signed contracts, funded programmes, and recurring revenue. The successful candidate will be personally accountable for defence revenue growth, owning opportunities end to end and acting as the single point of leadership from identification to contract signature, working closely with national defence ministries, international agencies, defence primes, and platform partners to convert ZeroAvia’s sovereign technologies into commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
- Pipeline Ownership & Deal Closure
- Own and deliver defence revenue targets
- Personally lead priority defence deals from first contact through commercial close
- Maintain disciplined pipeline management and deal accountability
- Capture Leadership & Commercial Execution
- Lead capture strategy for defence opportunities, including opportunity qualification and go/no-go decisions
- Customer alignment and sponsorship
- Key account management and relationship development
- Shape and negotiate complex commercial agreements
- Play a hands-on role in negotiation, remaining directly involved through signature
- Defence Customer Engagement That Converts
- Act as ZeroAvia’s senior commercial interface with national defence ministries, international defence agencies, defence primes and system integrators
- Build trust and credibility at the level required to unlock funding decisions and programme starts
- Secure customer champions capable of driving internal approval and budget release
- Partnerships That Generate Revenue
- Establish and manage partnerships with primes and system integrators
- Align partner requirements with ZeroAvia’s technology roadmaps and commercial objectives
Required Experience & Background
- Essential
- 10+ years’ experience in defence or aerospace markets with direct commercial responsibility
- Clear, demonstrable personal track record of delivering full sales cycles from origination to closure in defence
- Experience selling into national defence ministries and international defence agencies and partnering with defence primes and Tier 1s
- Deep understanding of defence budgeting, funding and procurement processes
- Evidence of owning revenue outcomes, not just supporting bids or partnerships
- Highly Desirable
- Experience commercialising new or disruptive technologies into defence markets
- Background in aerospace propulsion, power systems or aircraft systems
- Proven history of converting demonstrations into funded programmes, partnerships and recurring revenue
- Existing Security Check or Direct Vetting clearance
Personal Attributes
- Strong bias toward closure and revenue generation
- Comfortable being personally accountable for deal outcomes
- Commercially assertive and credible in defence environments
- Persistent, resilient, and effective in long and complex sales cycles
- Able to operate with ambiguity while maintaining commercial discipline
Cotswold Airport (Kemble) – Join us at Cotswold Airport, home to some of our aircraft and the workplace of many ZeroAvians. Located just outside the historic market town of Cirencester, you’ll experience a workspace built by engineers for engineers. This is a high‑velocity and fast‑paced environment with good links to the M4 and M5, so it’s fitting that it’s also our UK Head Office.
Why Join Us?
- Private health and dental care – get access to services and support when you need them. Add your family members too*
- Mental health support – enjoy a culture where positive mental health is front of mind with our trained Mental Health First Aiders, Employee Assistance Programmes and wellbeing support.
- Free lunch and healthy snacks – keeping you fuelled up so you can help us deliver the technology of the future
- Sports, games and culture clubs – connect and keep fit with other ZeroAvians by joining one of our subsidised clubs – such as, running, cycling, padel, trivia, theatre and gardening.
We also offer:
- Stock options – so you can share in our success.
- 25 days holiday, plus public holidays – to help you manage your work‑life balance.
- Free EV Charging and membership in our EV Club.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes for EV Club, Curry's Tech, Cycle to Work, and Ikea Furniture.
- Weekly Spot Bonuses to reward excellence.
- Income Protection and Legal Support for peace of mind.
- Relocation Support to make your move seamless.
Diversity and Inclusion
As an emergent company shaping the aviation industry, we know that diversity fuels success and unlocks potential. We embrace being an equal‑opportunity employer and actively seek individuals from diverse backgrounds. We value the multitude of skills, perspectives, and mindsets everyone can bring to the table. These experiences ignite creativity, originality, and growth. We proudly reject discrimination in all forms, including that based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Business Development Director - Defence employer: ZeroAvia
ZeroAvia is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at Cotswold Airport, where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we provide comprehensive health benefits, mental health support, and opportunities for personal growth through various clubs and activities. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every voice is valued, making it a rewarding place for professionals in the aerospace defence sector to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Director - Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in closing complex deals and managing key accounts. Share specific examples of how you've driven revenue growth in previous roles to really impress them.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you’re interested in, like ZeroAvia, and express your interest in working with them. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from a simple conversation.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website! We’ve got loads of resources and tips to help you prepare for interviews and ace those tough questions. Plus, applying through our site can give you an edge, as we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Director - Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Development Director role. Highlight your experience in the defence sector and showcase your track record of closing complex deals. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes in previous roles. Use numbers and metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact on revenue growth and deal closures. We love seeing tangible results!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is commercially assertive and credible, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for the defence industry and your approach to overcoming challenges.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at ZeroAvia
✨Know Your Defence Market
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in the defence sector. Understand the key players, including national ministries and international agencies, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Deal Closure Skills
Prepare specific examples of complex deals you've closed in the past. Highlight your role in the entire sales cycle, from initial engagement to contract signature, and be ready to discuss how you navigated challenges along the way.
✨Demonstrate Relationship Building
Be prepared to talk about how you've built trust and credibility with clients in the defence sector. Share stories that illustrate your ability to secure customer champions and drive internal approvals for funding decisions.
✨Align with ZeroAvia's Vision
Familiarise yourself with ZeroAvia’s technologies and commercial objectives. Think about how your background in aerospace or defence can contribute to their mission and be ready to discuss how you can help generate revenue through partnerships.
