Account Manager (UKDI)

Overview

In this role you drive pipeline growth for UK Innovation domains (e.g., autonomy, quantum) by preparing markets and nurturing early opportunities into qualified deals for the Capture team. You will coordinate with UKDI/UKRI teams and broader QinetiQ to shape opportunities, ensure coherence, and push major captures while supporting the company growth strategy. You’ll engage senior stakeholders across defence ministries and internal leadership to align messaging and leverage cross‑functional capabilities. This is a hands‑on, strategic role with a clear impact on pipeline and win rates in a complex, security‑driven market.

Pay / Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance
• Competitive holiday allowance
• Health Cash Plan
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Armed Forces Covenant support

Responsibilities

• Drive pipeline growth for UKDI/UKRI in strategic domains
• Prepare markets and nurture early-stage opportunities to qualified status
• Coordinate across UKDI, UKRI and broader QinetiQ to align opportunities
• Lead and participate in major capture activities, bids and proposals
• Develop and implement growth strategy for UKDI and UKRI
• Engage senior stakeholders across MOD and defence entities to influence orders pipeline
• Oversee go-to-market strategy for major pursuits
• Ensure forward planning of resources and alignment with Capture/Bid management
• Promote best practices in business winning and CRM usage (SAP C4C)
• Maintain compliance with group policies and ethical/trade requirements

Key requirements

• Proven track record in hands-on development and execution of large-scale pipeline (up to 1bn) in UKDI
• Experience in cradle-to-grave win strategies and competitive tenders (over 30m)
• Experience leading cross-functional business winning teams in defence sector
• Ability to influence across matrixed organizations and deliver strategic GTM plans
• Technical background with defence science/RTD knowledge and client engagement ability
• Security clearances enabling access to core clients; eligible for SC clearance
• 10+ years in Defence/Secure Government environments with strong UKDI network
• Willingness to spend ~2 days per week deployed on customer sites
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities
• Experience with capture/bid management and integration of research/Development alignment

• Stakeholder management
• Thought leadership
• Cross-functional collaboration
• SAP C4C CRM usage
• Capture/Bid management
• Go-to-market strategy development

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