Business Development Manager

STI; Hart; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in defence electronics manufacturing seeks a Business Development Manager to drive growth. This role involves strategizing partnerships with major contractors and requires a track record in defence or aerospace sectors. The firm offers a competitive salary alongside opportunities for career advancement.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in business development or strategic account management in defence or aerospace.
• Experience with prime contractors (e.g., BAE Systems, Leonardo).
• Strong understanding of defence procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities in the defence sector.
• Develop and execute business development strategy for growth.
• Build relationships with procurement and engineering teams.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder Engagement

Job description

Be part of a company at the forefront of defence electronics manufacturing. Work in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment with a passionate team.

About Our Client

Surface Technology International (STI) is a leading provider of electronics design and manufacturing services, specialising in high-reliability applications for the defence, aerospace, and security sectors. With over 30 years of heritage, STI is trusted by global customers to deliver quality, innovation, and excellence. Their capabilities span the entire product lifecycle—from design and prototyping to full-scale production and logistics—making them a true partner in mission-critical manufacturing.

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Business Development Manager to spearhead growth in the defence sector, with a focus on engaging and expanding partnerships with major prime contractors. This strategic role is integral to STI's vision of becoming a key partner in the UK and international defence supply chain.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, engage, and secure new business opportunities within the defence sector, particularly with Tier 1 defence primes and key integrators.
• Develop and execute a targeted business development strategy to support STI's growth objectives in defence.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with procurement, engineering, and program teams at target accounts.
• Drive early engagement on new programs, positioning STI as a trusted manufacturing partner from concept through to production.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders including engineering, operations, and program management to ensure alignment with customer needs.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and government defence initiatives to identify emerging opportunities.
• Represent STI at trade shows, industry forums, and customer events to build brand presence and credibility.
• Lead bid and proposal development in coordination with the commercial and technical teams.

The Successful Applicant

The Business Development Manager will have:

• A proven track record of business development or strategic account management in the defence or aerospace sector.
• Experience working with or for prime contractors (e.g., BAE Systems, Leonardo, Thales, MBDA, Raytheon, etc.).
• Strong understanding of defence procurement processes, industry compliance, and program lifecycles.
• A background in electronics manufacturing, systems integration, or advanced engineering services is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Commercially astute with a customer-first mindset and solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to travel across the UK as required.

What's on Offer

On offer is a competitive base salary and package, along with a fantastic platform to grow and develop your career further!

Contact

Amit Johal
Quote job ref: JN-062025-6764647Z

Where specific UK qualifications are required, we will consider overseas equivalents. All third-party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.