Business Development Manager (Defence)

EVera Recruitment Ltd; Baginton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

EVera Recruitment Ltd representing a leading UK organisation seeks a Business Development Manager (Defence) to drive growth across the defence portfolio. You will lead strategy, identify opportunities, and close high-value contracts, shaping the future of defence electrification and sovereign manufacturing.

You should have a track record in defence BD, senior stakeholder engagement, and the ability to operate autonomously within a national procurement environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in winning complex Defence contracts.
• Ability to develop and execute BD strategies.
• Strong relationships with defence primes and government bodies.
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop the defence BD strategy and pipeline from opportunity to contract award.
• Identify, qualify and convert new defence opportunities.
• Build senior-level relationships with primes, systems integrators and defence bodies.
• Lead proposals, bids and commercial offers.

Skills

Defence sector experience

Strategic business development

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Job description

Our client, a leading UK organisation supporting the scale-up and industrialisation of advanced battery technologies, is seeking a Business Development Manager (Defence) to lead the growth of its Defence portfolio. This strategic role calls for an experienced, commercially driven business development professional with a strong track record of winning complex, high-value business in the defence sector.

The Business Development Manager (Defence) will be responsible for:

• Developing and delivering a business development strategy to expand the organisation’s presence in the defence sector.
• Identifying, qualifying and converting new business opportunities, and maintaining a robust sales pipeline through to contract award.
• Building senior-level relationships with defence primes, system integrators, DE&S, the MOD National Armaments Directorate and NATO programmes.
• Capturing customer requirements and working with technical and programme teams to develop compelling value propositions.
• Leading the review of government contract terms and tender processes, ensuring adherence to DEFSTANs and DEFCONs.
• Leading the preparation of proposals, bids and commercial offers.
• Monitoring defence market trends and representing the organisation at industry events.

The Business Development Manager (Defence) will have:

• A background as a commissioned officer in the UK Armed Forces (Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force)
• Significant experience in business development, sales leadership or commercial roles within the defence sector.
• A proven track record of developing high-value partnerships and winning complex, high-value contracts.
• A strong understanding of the UK defence landscape and procurement environment.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills at executive level.
• Strong commercial awareness, strategic thinking and the ability to work independently.

This is a chance to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defence electrification while supporting the UK’s sovereign manufacturing ambitions.