Business Development Manager

Serco; Hook; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Company car

Private medical insurance

25 days' annual leave

Job summary

Serco is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth in the UK Defence portfolio, working hybrid from Hook/London and engaging with customers, ops teams and growth squads.

You’ll identify opportunities within existing contracts, qualify them and push for in-contract expansion, while coordinating governance and reporting across MS Dynamics and internal systems. Strong stakeholder management and Defence experience are essential for shaping customer solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience working within the UK Defence sector.
• Experience identifying, developing or managing growth opportunities within existing accounts.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement processes and framework agreements.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop organic growth opportunities across the Defence portfolio with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Support contract managers and delivery teams to qualify and progress in-contract growth opportunities.
• Manage Defence framework activity, ensuring governance and submissions.
• Maintain opportunity pipelines and reporting through internal systems.
• Coordinate governance activities, including gate reviews and compliance with SMS and Defence Growth Protocol.
• Collaborate with bid teams, technical specialists and operations to shape customer solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with Defence customers and partners.
• Represent Serco at customer meetings and industry events to promote Defence capabilities.
• Capture lessons learned to improve future opportunities and delivery.

Skills

Defence sector experience

Stakeholder management

CRM systems (MS Dynamics)

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Tools

MS Dynamics

Job description

Location: Hybrid - attached to Hook / London

Security Clearance: Security Clearance (or ability to obtain)

Travel: National travel required

£60,000 - £65,000 PA + Bonus + Company Car + Private Medical Insurance

Make a real impact on the future of Defence

At Serco, we're trusted to deliver critical services that support the UK's Defence sector. As our Business Development Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in helping grow our Defence business by identifying and developing opportunities within our existing customer base, contracts and capabilities.

Working closely with operational leaders, contract managers and central growth teams, you'll help shape new opportunities, maximise the value of existing frameworks and ensure in-contract growth opportunities are identified, governed and successfully delivered. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, spotting commercial opportunities and turning ideas into tangible business growth.

What You'll Be Doing

• Identify and develop organic growth opportunities across the Defence portfolio, working with existing customers, operational teams and internal stakeholders.
• Support contract managers and delivery teams to identify, qualify and progress in-contract growth opportunities.
• Manage Defence framework activity, maintaining visibility of opportunities, coordinating submissions and ensuring governance requirements are met.
• Maintain accurate opportunity pipelines and reporting through MS Dynamics and other internal systems.
• Coordinate governance activities, including gate reviews, reporting and compliance with the Serco Management System (SMS) and Defence Growth Protocol.
• Work collaboratively with bid teams, technical specialists and operational colleagues to shape compelling customer solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Defence customers, internal stakeholders and SME partners.
• Represent Serco at customer meetings, conferences and industry events to help promote our Defence capabilities.
• Capture and apply lessons learned to continuously improve future opportunities and delivery.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for someone who combines commercial awareness with strong stakeholder management skills and an understanding of the Defence environment.

You'll Ideally Have

• Experience working within the UK Defence sector.
• Experience identifying, developing or managing business growth opportunities within existing customer accounts or contracts.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement processes and framework agreements.
• Experience managing opportunities, projects or bids through structured governance processes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across a complex, matrix organisation.
• Experience using CRM or opportunity management systems such as MS Dynamics.
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.

Why Serco?

Joining Serco means becoming part of a business that delivers services which matter. Across Defence, Justice, Health, Transport and Citizen Services, we help governments and organisations deliver essential public services every day.

You'll work alongside talented colleagues who are passionate about making a difference, with opportunities to develop your career, broaden your experience and contribute to some of the UK's most important Defence programmes.

What We Offer

• Hybrid working.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Company pension.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Opportunities for learning, development and career progression.
• A supportive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.

Please note

This role requires national travel and is subject to Security Clearance. Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of clearance.

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).