Managing Director Location: East Midlands Package: Circa £85k Bonus Car Allowance Significant Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Our client is a dynamic and innovative leader in the Aerospace, Defence, and Security sector. They develop cutting-edge technology to protect critical assets and operations for government, military, and civilian clients worldwide. This is a rare and compelling opportunity for a commercially astute, growth-focused leader. We seek a Managing Director to assume full strategic and operational leadership. Your mission: to architect and execute a high-growth plan that will significantly increase market share, operational efficiency, and EBITDA. This role is underpinned by a substantial LTIP, designed to deliver exceptional financial reward to the leader who successfully steers this high-potential business to its strategic culmination. You will provide inspirational leadership, refine the strategic vision, and be utterly focused on maximising commercial value. You will have full P&L responsibility and the autonomy to implement best practices across the business, ensuring the company is optimally structured for growth, efficiency, and a highly lucrative exit. Key Areas of Responsibility Strategic Leadership & Growth Execution - Develop and implement an ambitious multi-year growth strategy, securing greater market share and developing long-term contractual client partnerships. Identify and capitalise on new market opportunities, driving expansion both domestically and internationally. Champion a culture of innovation, ensuring the product roadmap aligns with future client needs and market trends. Act as the primary external face of the company, building strategic alliances and representing it at the highest levels of industry and government. Commercial & Financial Acumen - Hold full P&L accountability, with a relentless focus on maximising EBITDA and shareholder value. Identify and execute on opportunities for margin improvement and operational efficiency gains across the business. Oversee the entire lifecycle of high-value, complex contracts, from tender and negotiation through to flawless delivery and client relationship management. Leverage deep industry insight to anticipate trends, outmanoeuvre competitors, and maintain a commanding market position. Operational Excellence & Process Optimisation - Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing senior leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Streamline all operational processes to enhance resilience, scalability, and quality. Implement robust KPIs and performance metrics to monitor health & safety, compliance, and operational effectiveness. Ensure the business has the operational infrastructure and talent required to scale efficiently. Client & Stakeholder Engagement - Build and nurture enduring relationships with key clients, becoming a trusted partner who deeply understands their evolving challenges. Enhance customer engagement strategies to ensure exceptional service delivery, driving high retention rates and repeat business. The Candidate Profile: Experience & Attributes It is essential you have a proven track record of successful senior leadership, ideally as an MD, GM, or a similarly accountable P&L leader. Essential experience or working within the defence or security industries. Highly networked within the sectors with experience of driving engagement at senior levels. Direct experience working with or within the military sector is highly advantageous. Demonstrable expertise in driving significant business growth, improving operational efficiency, and materially enhancing EBITDA. Proven experience in managing the full lifecycle of complex, high-value B2B or B2G contracts. Strong financial literacy and experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Strategist & Operator: You balance visionary strategic thinking with a hands-on, results-driven approach to execution. Inspirational Leader: You possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of inspiring teams, influencing stakeholders, and building rapport with clients at all levels. Commercially Astute: You have a sharp business acumen and are adept at identifying and converting new revenue streams and profit opportunities. Ambitious & Driven: You are motivated by a high-challenge, high-reward environment and are seeking a platform to demonstrate your ability to deliver exceptional value and tangible results. Collaborative Mindset: You are a natural team builder who breaks down silos, fosters talent, and creates a high-performance culture. Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to each applicant individually with detailed feedback. Executive Recruit is a boutique executive search firm specialising in helping organisations source and attract top-tier leadership talent. With a tailored approach, we partner with businesses to identify high-calibre executives who drive growth and transformation. Our expertise ensures clients find the right blend of experience and acumen to strengthen leadership and board effectiveness.