Senior Business Development Manager – Defence

Overview

Senior Defence BD leader sought to drive growth for an AI/ML company at the forefront of Defence applications. You will work with the CEO and senior team to identify, pursue and secure Defence opportunities across UK entities and international partners. You will shape the commercial strategy, build a robust pipeline and forge key partnerships with MOD, primes and industry players. This role blends strategic thinking with hands-on dealmaking in a fast-moving SME environment.

Pay / Benefits

• Salary 90,000 – 95,000 + Bonus and Commissions
• Hybrid working
• Regular travel for meetings and events

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop and close new commercial opportunities across UK Defence and related markets
• Build and maintain strong relationships with MOD, defence primes, industry partners and key decision makers
• Develop a strong sales pipeline and convert opportunities into commercial contracts
• Use Defence sector knowledge to identify future opportunities, customer needs and competitor activity
• Establish new routes to market and engage with senior stakeholders and Defence influencers
• Raise the company’s profile through networking, events, meetings and strategic introductions
• Develop collaborations with UK and international Defence partners
• Work closely with the CEO and senior management team to refine the business development and sales strategy
• Support proposal writing, market research, briefings and commercial planning
• Showcase the company’s AI and Machine Learning capability to customers and partners
• Provide commercial insight to help shape future technology offerings
• Represent the business at customer meetings, supplier meetings and industry events

Key requirements

• A strong and proven track record of business development within the Defence sector
• Deep understanding of UK MOD, defence prime procurement and Defence commercial processes
• A strong network across UK MOD, defence primes and related Defence organisations
• Experience identifying and winning commercial opportunities in Defence
• Strong commercial awareness, ideally within advanced technology, AI, Machine Learning, software, data or innovation-led environments
• The ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and long sales cycles
• Confidence working directly with senior decision makers, customers and partners
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
• A proactive, tenacious and target-driven approach
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-moving SME environment
• A strong interest in technology and its application within Defence and industry
• Existing UK security clearance, or the ability to obtain security clearance

• excellent communication
• influencing and relationship-building
• proactive and tenacious
• defence market knowledge
• AI/ML capability awareness
• commercial planning and proposal support

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