Business Development Manager – Defence & Aerospace
By the time a defence tender hits the portal, the real opportunity has often already passed. We are looking for someone who knows this instinctively, a Business Development Manager who operates in the conversations that happen before requirements are written, where problems are still being defined and the right solution hasn't been commoditised yet.
This role is for a specialist engineering business delivering bespoke composite and metallic solutions across multiple industries. They don't compete on price lists, they solve complex problems. That means the real value is created early, when you're in the room, understand the challenge, and can shape what success looks like.
What You'll Do
Building the Pipeline Before It's Published
* Leverage your defence sector network to identify emerging requirements
* Engage with decision-makers at the problem definition stage, programme managers, engineering leads, capability planners
* Position the business as the problem-solving partner, not just another supplier on a framework
Translating Problems into Commercial Wins
* Match complex customer challenges to engineering capabilities and build compelling propositions
* Lead contract negotiations for strategic opportunities with commercial acumen and resilience
* Prepare costings, business models, and proposals that win on innovation and value
* Ensure compliance with MOD/DOD standards and export controls
Owning Strategic Relationships and Revenue
* Manage and grow key accounts that value partnership
* Deliver against ambitious growth and profitability targets
* Maintain disciplined CRM and pipeline management with accurate forecasting
* Represent the business at industry events and collaborate cross-functionally to bring solutions to market
What You'll Bring
The Network and the Knowledge
* Active, credible relationships across Defence and Aerospace built on delivering value
* Understanding of defence procurement, portals, and how decisions really get made
* Experience selling engineered solutions into demanding applications
* Familiarity with DEFCON compliance, Defstans, and MOD/DOD requirements
Commercial and Technical Fluency
* Ability to read technical drawings, understand manufacturing constraints, and speak the language of engineers
* Financially astute, you can build costings, interrogate margins, and make the business case work
* Proven track record of winning business and growing revenue in engineering/manufacturing environments
The Mindset
* Entrepreneurial and proactive, you see opportunities others miss
* Resilient negotiator with experience navigating complex bids and contracts
* Exceptional communicator who influences across technical and commercial audiences
Why This Role Matters
It's about being the person who understands where defence capability gaps exist, and who can shape a solution that solves the real problem.
You'll have the autonomy to build a pipeline based on insight, not just opportunity lists. You'll work with a business that backs problem-solving, and you'll be measured on the quality of relationships and strategic wins you deliver.
If you've been waiting for a role where your network, your sector knowledge, and your ability to operate upstream of procurement actually matter, this is it.