Business Development Director

SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™; England; On-site; GBP 123,391 - 130,870; Full time

Job summary

A rapidly scaling defence technology company is seeking an experienced Business Development Director in London to spearhead global revenue growth. The role focuses on engaging with government and defence clients, leading complex sales cycles, and developing market strategies across Europe and Asia. Candidates should have a proven track record in defence business development, with strong relationships within military and government sectors. This position offers a competitive salary ranging from $165,000 to $175,000.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in defence business development or sales, ideally within UAV or robotics.
• Strong understanding of government defence programme operations.
• Demonstrated ability to open new markets and engage senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive global revenue growth across government customers.
• Develop market entry strategies for Europe and Asia Pacific.
• Build relationships with defence ministries and contractors.
• Lead complex sales cycles and represent the company at industry events.

Skills

Defence business development

Sales cycle management

Stakeholder engagement

International market expansion

Military relationships

Job description

Business Development Director

Global Defence and Autonomous Systems

A rapidly scaling defence technology company is seeking a Business Development Director to lead global revenue growth across government and defence customers. This role is focused on winning complex defence programmes, expanding into high-demand international markets, and building long-term relationships across ministries of defence, armed forces, and government agencies. The successful individual will play a key role in shaping the company’s international growth strategy while remaining hands‑on in deal execution. This is a senior individual contributor role reporting directly into C level leadership, with clear progression as the business scales.

Key responsibilities

• Own and drive global revenue growth across defence and government customers
• Develop and execute market entry strategies across Europe, the Nordics, Eastern Europe, and selected international regions including the Middle East and Asia Pacific
• Build and maintain senior relationships across ministries of defence, armed forces, procurement bodies, and prime and sub prime contractors
• Lead complex sales cycles involving trials, evaluations, government programmes, and long term contracts
• Represent the company at defence exhibitions, military demonstrations, and international industry events
• Work closely with engineering and product teams to align customer requirements with capability development
• Provide market intelligence and customer insight directly to executive leadership

Background and experience

• Proven experience in defence business development or sales, ideally within UAV, autonomous systems, robotics, or adjacent defence technologies
• Strong understanding of how government defence programmes operate, including procurement, trials, and long sales cycles
• Demonstrated ability to open new markets and win business through senior stakeholder engagement
• Existing network across defence ministries, military users, or defence primes is highly advantageous
• Prior military experience is beneficial but not essential
• Comfortable operating in a scale up or growth environment with high autonomy and accountability

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Salary: $165,000.00-$175,000.00