Business Development Manager – Defence

First Military Recruitment; Winchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency for the defence sector is seeking a Defence Business Development Manager to build a presence in the UK and European defence segments. Responsibilities include identifying business opportunities, positioning the company as a preferred supplier, and engaging with senior stakeholders. Candidates should have a strong background in defence vehicle business development and be willing to travel extensively. This role plays a key part in winning specifications and driving revenue growth.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in business development in the defence sector.
• Strong network in the UK and European defence industry.
• Success in winning new programme specifications.

Responsibilities

• Map defence vehicle landscape, identifying opportunities.
• Position company as preferred supplier in military supply chains.
• Build networks with defence primes and influencers.
• Drive pipeline growth by winning specifications.
• Support bid processes with input.
• Deliver growth targets aligned with strategy.

Skills

Business development in defence vehicle sector

Networking with defence primes

Specification influencing

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial negotiation

Willingness to travel

Initiative and drive

Credibility and integrity

Collaborative working

Resilience and adaptability

Job description

Overview

First Military Recruitment are currently seeking a Defence Business Development Manager on behalf of one of our clients.

You will be responsible for building company presence in the UK and European defence sector, with a primary focus on securing product specifications on military vehicle platforms. The role is central to achieving the strategic objective of becoming a key partner to leading defence primes.

Our client encourages applications from ex-military personnel however all candidates will be given due consideration.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Map the defence vehicle landscape across the UK and Europe, identifying new programmes and business opportunities.
• Position the company as a preferred supplier within military vehicle supply chains.
• Build and maintain strong networks with defence primes and industry influencers.
• Develop trusted relationships with programme decision‑makers, procurement leads and engineers.
• Drive pipeline growth by winning new specifications for company products.
• Support bid processes with technical and commercial input.
• Deliver revenue growth targets aligned with the defence strategy.
• Track defence budgets, procurement timelines and competitor activity.
• Provide regular pipeline updates, forecasts and account development reports to leadership.
• Represent the company at trade shows, industry events and customer meetings.
• Promote the company brand and build visibility in the defence community.
• UK‑based, with significant travel across UK and Europe.

Skills and Qualifications :

• Significant experience in business development within the defence vehicle sector.
• Strong, active network within UK and European defence primes.
• Demonstrated success in influencing specifications and securing new programme wins.
• Ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders across technical and commercial functions.
• High level of commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
• Winning mindset with strong initiative and drive.
• Professional credibility and integrity in a sensitive, regulated sector.
• Collaborative working style, able to partner with engineering, operations and leadership teams.
• Resilient, adaptable and motivated by challenging goals.

Desirable :

• Understanding of vehicle systems integration and supply chain complexities.
• Additional European language skills (e.g., German or French).
• Number of new vehicle programmes where products are specified.
• Annual growth in defence sector revenue.
• Achieving agreed activity targets.
• Quality and accuracy of pipeline reporting and forecasts.
• Depth and breadth of strategic relationships with defence primes.