Are you a Defence-sector expert with a passion for shaping new markets, driving strategic growth and influencing at the highest levels?
I am working with a leading professional services company in their search for a Market Development Director to lead their engagement, expand their presence and position as a trusted provider of business process services and innovative tech-enabled solutions across the Defence landscape.
About the Role
As the Market Development Director, you'll play a pivotal role in identifying, shaping and translating Defence-sector market opportunities into long-term growth. Operating over a 36‑month horizon, you’ll build a strong opportunity funnel, influence senior stakeholders and help bring cutting‑edge proposition to life.
This is a strategic, outward-facing, high-impact role where you will raise the profile across the Defence ecosystem, nurture new relationships and help win large-scale, complex opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
* Identify emerging Defence-sector market opportunities.
* Build and maintain a strong multi‑year funnel to meet new business and pipeline targets.
* Raise profile as a leader in business process services, leveraging partnerships with hyperscalers and key industry players.
* Create, share and shape cross‑sell and upsell opportunities.
* Provide insights on Defence-sector trends, innovation and customer needs to influence product, proposition and Go-To-Market strategy.
* Lead market scanning, insight generation and strategies for growth, new scope and competitive rebids.
* Develop holistic engagement plans for new market entry and client origination.
* Lead early-stage prospect engagement, bringing expertise to clarify client problems and shape high‑value solutions.
* Demonstrate thought leadership to strengthen brand and market position.
* Design and deliver proofs of concept and innovation cycles with clients and prospects.
* Leverage strategic partnerships to broaden routes to market.
* Prioritise opportunities to maximise win rate and return on effort.
* Feed market insights into GTM and proposition teams and optimise Salesforce usage.
* Contribute to Client Group GTM strategy to maximise revenue and growth.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone with:
* Deep knowledge of the Defence sector: stakeholders, procurement, policy and decision-making.
* A strong, credible external network and proven success operating at senior public-sector levels.
* Exceptional ability to build trust quickly with new and existing clients.
* A track record of developing and delivering growth strategies that create tangible value.
* Comfort operating with autonomy, ambiguity and complexity across long time horizons.
* Excellent prioritisation skills with attention to detail, even under competing demands.
* A growth mindset: seeking feedback, driving development and supporting colleague wellbeing.
* Personal resilience and the ability to navigate high‑challenge environments.
The Package
* Salary up to £115,000
* Lucrative bonus scheme
* Matched pension contributions