Business Development Manager

General Dynamics UK Limited; Oakdale; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence solutions provider in Oakdale is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth and build relationships within the defence industry. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in identifying business opportunities and a comprehensive understanding of the UK defence market. This position offers a salary of £50,000 to £62,000 along with excellent benefits and the option for hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Compressed nine-day fortnight

Personalised career development plan

Flexible working environment with benefits

Qualifications

• Demonstrable track record of successfully identifying and closing business opportunities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the defence industry.
• Proven capability to influence customer representatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic business development plans.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and stakeholders.

Skills

Excellent communication and presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical and strategic thinking abilities

Relationship-building skills

Job description

Company Description

General Dynamics Mission Systems engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of more than 13,000 top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defence and scientific arenas. In the UK, we are leading the way in avionics and communication systems. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency.

Job Description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and driven Business Development Manager to join our team in Oakdale. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for driving growth, identifying new business opportunities, and cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders in the defence industry. Your strategic vision and proactive approach will be essential in expanding our market presence and achieving our business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic business development plans to expand our market presence and increase revenue
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the defence sector, with a focus on advanced combat vehicle systems and related technologies
• Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective customers, industry partners, and government stakeholders
• Lead strategic capture efforts and oversee proposal development processes to secure new business
• Analyse market trends, competitive landscapes, and customer needs to inform business strategies
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to align product development with market demands
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and conferences to promote our capabilities and expand our network
• Provide regular updates and insights to senior management on market dynamics, opportunities, and threats
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of our product portfolio and value proposition
• Contribute to the development of marketing materials and sales tools to support business development efforts

Essential Qualifications

• Demonstrable track record of successfully identifying, pursuing, and closing business opportunities with UK MOD and business‑to‑business sales
• Comprehensive knowledge of the defence industry, including key players, market trends, and procurement processes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Proven capability to influence customer representatives to secure significant strategic outcomes for the business
• Extensive experience in proposal development and management
• Advanced analytical and strategic thinking abilities
• Exceptional negotiation and relationship‑building skills
• Results‑driven approach with the capacity to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances for working in the defence sector
• Commitment to travel as required for customer meetings, industry events, and business development activities

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in the UK defence market
• Track record of securing opportunities of circa £5m - £10m
• Proficiency with structured capture and proposal processes (e.g., colour team reviews, gate reviews)
• Familiarity with UK MOD Land Programmes, LE TacCIS, ISTAR, and related initiatives

Salary and Working Arrangements

Salary for this position is £50,000 to £62,000, depending on experience plus our excellent flexible benefits package. We offer on site or hybrid working for this role, with the expectation that some travel to customers and suppliers will be required.

Benefits

• A compressed nine‑day fortnight and compressed hours – which means every other Friday off.
• A personalised career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews – supporting and valuing your progression within the Company.
• A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognised and rewarded with flexible benefits.

EEO Statement

We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace – inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we welcome you to join our inclusive team! Our success is driven by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company. We are a Disability Confident Employer; we offer interviews to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Application Information

Please email [e-mail] if you would like your application to be considered under the DC Scheme. All successful or appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks.