Air Sector Business Director

Thales Group; England; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group in Reading, United Kingdom, seeks an Air Sector Business Director to lead a growing portfolio spanning missile electronics, air defences, reconnaissance, and navigation.

You will report to the OME Leadership Team, driving strategy, investment decisions and international partnerships while delivering ambitious orders, revenue and cash targets across the UK and beyond.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within defence, aerospace or advanced technology sectors.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale programmes and portfolios valued at £50m+.
• Experience securing and delivering complex business opportunities and major bids.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall performance of the Air Sector business, delivering against strategic, operational and financial objectives.
• Drive sustainable growth through business development, capture activities and successful bid delivery.
• Ensure successful execution of a diverse portfolio of programmes, from R&D through to production and in-service support.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with customers, industry partners and key suppliers.
• Shape future business strategy, product roadmaps and investment priorities.
• Deliver ambitious order intake, revenue, profitability and cash targets.
• Lead organisational development and foster a high-performing, inclusive culture.
• Drive innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement across the sector.
• Work closely with Sales, Strategy, Engineering and Operations teams to identify and secure future opportunities.

Skills

Senior Leadership

Defence/Aerospace

Programme Management

Stakeholder Mgmt

Commercial Acumen

International Collaboration

Strategic Thinking

Job description

Location: Reading, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Air Sector Business Director

Lead the Future of Air Capability at Optronics & Missile Electronics (OME)

Location: Green Park (with UK and International Travel)

Closing date for applications: Friday 13th November 2026

At Thales, we're delivering technologies that help our customers make the world safer, more secure and more sustainable. As we continue to grow our Air portfolio within Optronics & Missile Electronics (OME), we are looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Air Sector Business Director.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a strategically significant business area encompassing cutting-edge technologies across missile electronics, air defensive aids, reconnaissance and surveillance systems, and advanced navigation capabilities. You'll shape the future direction of a diverse portfolio, lead major international programmes, and build enduring relationships with some of the world's leading defence organisations.

The Opportunity

As Air Sector Business Director, you'll have full accountability for a substantial and growing portfolio spanning development, production and support programmes across the UK and international markets.

Working as a key member of the OME Leadership Team, you'll lead business performance, programme delivery, customer engagement and growth strategy, ensuring we continue to deliver innovative solutions to our customers whilst achieving ambitious commercial objectives.

This role offers significant influence across strategy, investment decisions, customer partnerships and business growth, with responsibility for teams operating across multiple UK locations and international partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the overall performance of the Air Sector business, delivering against strategic, operational and financial objectives.
• Driving sustainable growth through business development, capture activities and successful bid delivery.
• Ensuring successful execution of a diverse portfolio of programmes, from research and development through to production and in-service support.
• Building and maintaining executive-level relationships with customers, industry partners and key suppliers.
• Shaping future business strategy, product roadmaps and investment priorities.
• Delivering ambitious order intake, revenue, profitability and cash targets.
• Leading organisational development and fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture.
• Driving innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement across the sector.
• Working closely with Sales, Strategy, Engineering and Operations teams to identify and secure future opportunities.

About the Business

The Air Sector spans four highly capable product lines:

• Missile Electronics
• Air Defensive Aids Systems
• Air Reconnaissance & Surveillance
• Air Attack & Navigation Systems

The portfolio includes major UK and international programmes supporting customers across defence, aerospace and government sectors, with activities ranging from advanced sensor development and electronic systems through to production and lifecycle support.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an accomplished business leader with the commercial, operational and strategic capability to lead a complex, high-value portfolio.

Essential Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within the defence, aerospace or advanced technology sectors.
• A proven track record of leading large-scale programmes and portfolios valued at £50m+.
• Experience securing and delivering complex business opportunities and major bids.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with accountability for business performance.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed and multidisciplinary teams.
• Deep understanding of customer engagement within complex and highly regulated environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability to deliver operational results.
• Demonstrable experience operating at executive and senior leadership level.

Why Join Us?

• Lead one of the most important and dynamic portfolios within Thales.
• Work at the forefront of defence and aerospace technology.
• Influence strategic decisions that shape the future of the business.
• Partner with leading customers and organisations across the global defence sector.
• Lead talented teams delivering mission-critical solutions.
• Build a legacy through growth, innovation and exceptional customer delivery.