Managing Director
Strategic Growth & Exit Leadership
Sector: Aerospace, Defence & Security
Location: East Midlands
Package: Base Circa £100k bonus executive benefits High six-figure long-term incentive plan (LTIP) upon successful trade sale
The Mission: Lead. Scale. Exit.
Our client is a mission-critical technology leader within the Aerospace, Defence and Security sector. Their purpose to protect people, assets and operations is realised through innovative solutions deployed for government, military and high-threat commercial clients globally.
This is a unique, outcome-focused leadership mandate. We are seeking a commercially driven, results-obsessed Managing Director to take full strategic and operational control, with one clear, overarching objective: to architect, execute and deliver a high-growth journey that culminates in a lucrative trade sale.
This role is not simply about stewardship; it is about value creation and realisation. It is backed by an exceptional, direct and substantial Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) a high six-figure reward designed to fully align your success with the ultimate shareholder outcome.
Architect of the Exit Journey
As Managing Director, you will possess full P&L ownership and absolute autonomy to transform and position the business for maximum valuation. You will be the catalyst for growth, operational excellence and strategic positioning, directly shaping every lever that drives towards a premium exit.
Key Objectives
Design & Execute the Exit Roadmap: Develop and implement a multi-year strategic plan focused on accelerating growth, expanding market share, and significantly enhancing EBITDA to attract premium acquirers.
Drive Value Multipliers: Identify and action all commercial and operational levers from contract mix and pricing strategies to supply chain optimisation and scalable process design that directly increase enterprise value.
Become the Face of Value: Act as the primary ambassador to the market, strategic partners, and potential future acquirers, building a narrative of proven growth, resilient customer relationships, and technological relevance.
Build a Sale-Ready Operation: Instil best-in-class corporate governance, financial reporting, and operational resilience to present a de-risked, scalable and highly attractive asset to the trade.
Core Responsibilities
Strategic & Commercial Leadership: Own the end-to-end growth strategy, targeting both domestic and international expansion.
Secure and nurture cornerstone, long-term contracts with key government and defence entities.
Leverage deep sector insight to outmanoeuvre competitors and position the business as an indispensable partner.
Financial Value Creation: Hold full P&L accountability with an unwavering focus on margin enhancement, profitability and cash flow.
Oversee the lifecycle of high-value, complex contracts to maximise returns and mitigate risk.
Implement rigorous financial and operational KPIs that track directly to exit valuation drivers.
Operational Excellence for Scale: Lead, mentor and empower a senior leadership team towards a unified exit goal.
Optimise all operational processes for efficiency, quality and scalability, building a resilient and transferable business model.
Ensure the organisational structure and talent pipeline support accelerated growth and due diligence readiness.
Stakeholder & Exit Preparation: Serve as the trusted partner to key clients, ensuring exceptional retention and referenceability.
Work in close partnership with the founder/board to align commercial strategy with technology roadmaps.
Prepare the business for eventual sale, ensuring all aspects of the operation are structured to withstand intense scrutiny.
Experience - A Value-Creator
You are a strategic operator motivated by a clear, high-stakes outcome. You view this role as the definitive project of your career to date.
Proven Track Record: Demonstrable success as an MD, GM or equivalent P&L leader within Defence, Security, Aerospace or a closely aligned advanced technology/engineering sector. Military/Government engagement experience is highly advantageous.
Growth & Value Architect: A history of driving significant revenue growth, EBITDA improvement and operational transformation that directly increased business valuation.
Commercial Pedigree: Expertise in negotiating and managing high-value B2G/B2B contracts. Superior financial and commercial acumen.
Leadership DNA: An inspirational leader who can build a high-performance, exit-focused culture. A compelling communicator adept at engaging teams, boards, clients and future partners.
Mindset: Ambitious, driven, and outcomes focused. You are energised by the challenge of a defined mission and rewarded by the tangible results of your leadership.
The Value Proposition: A Partnership in Outcome
A Defined & Rewarded Mission: Lead with a single, compelling objective: a successful, high-value trade sale.
Unprecedented Earning Potential: A highly competitive package, significantly amplified by a high six-figure LTIP payout upon the successful execution of the exit strategy.
Autonomy & Impact: Complete strategic and operational authority to shape the business and its future.
Purpose & Legacy: Steward a business with genuine global impact, ensuring its next phase of growth under new ownership.
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