Business Development Lead – Maritime

Holt Executive Ltd; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Holt Executive Ltd seeks an experienced Senior Business Development Manager to own the full sales lifecycle in the land systems and related technology markets. You will identify new opportunities, develop strategic accounts, and lead proposals, pricing and negotiations with senior technical and commercial stakeholders.

This newly created role offers scope to shape growth and build long-term customer relationships across defense, government, and industry partners.

Qualifications

• Proven BD or sales track record in a technology-led environment.
• Experience selling complex engineering or systems solutions.
• Experience managing the full sales cycle from identification to close.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic account plans aligned with growth objectives.
• Identify new markets, customers, partners and commercial opportunities.
• Generate and develop a qualified sales pipeline through networking and events.
• Build relationships with senior customer, commercial and technical stakeholders.
• Lead proposals and coordinate internal technical and commercial inputs.
• Drive opportunities through to successful close and handover to delivery.
• Represent the business at industry events and customer meetings.

Skills

Strategic account planning

Sales cycle management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Proposal development

CRM forecasting

Networking

Job description

Senior Business Development Manager - Land

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Business Development Manager to join a growing technology and engineering business.

This is a newly created position offering the opportunity to take ownership of the full sales lifecycle, from identifying new market opportunities and developing strategic accounts through to opportunity capture, proposal development, negotiation and long-term customer growth.

The role will focus on developing opportunities within the land systems and related technology markets, working closely with technical and commercial teams to understand customer requirements, develop compelling propositions and build long-term relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic account plans aligned with company growth objectives
• Identify new markets, customers, partners and commercial opportunities
• Generate and develop a qualified sales pipeline through networking, referrals, events, direct engagement and account development
• Build strong relationships with senior customer, commercial and technical stakeholders
• Understand customer requirements and translate them into compelling commercial propositions
• Qualify opportunities based on customer need, budget, authority, timing, competition and strategic fit
• Shape opportunities at an early stage to improve positioning and maximise the likelihood of success
• Lead the commercial development of proposals and coordinate internal technical and commercial inputs
• Support negotiations around scope, pricing, terms and commercial commitments
• Drive opportunities through to successful close
• Ensure effective handover of won opportunities into delivery
• Develop existing accounts to generate repeat business and additional opportunities
• Represent the business at industry events, conferences and customer meetings
• Maintain accurate pipeline information, forecasting and CRM activity
• Work collaboratively with engineering, delivery, finance and senior leadership teams

Requirements

• Proven track record in business development or sales within a technology-led environment
• Experience selling complex engineering, technology, consultancy, systems, services or solutions
• Demonstrable experience managing the full sales cycle from opportunity identification through to close
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to develop customer-focused propositions
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to engage confidently with both technical and senior commercial stakeholders
• Strong negotiation and presentation skills
• Structured approach to pipeline management, forecasting and account planning
• Comfortable working within complex, consultative and longer sales cycles
• Highly proactive, resilient and commercially driven
• Technical or engineering background would be advantageous
• Experience within land systems, government technology or related markets would be highly advantageous