Business Development Manager - Mission Systems Avionics

General Dynamics Missions System International; Hastings; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Nine-day fortnight

Career development plan

Flexible benefits & hybrid work

Job summary

General Dynamics Mission Systems in Hastings, UK seeks a Business Development Manager to lead defence BD and capture activities for mission avionics. The role covers UK/global markets with a focus on Combat Air Systems, high-integrity mission computing, and customer relationship growth.

You will drive strategic plans, manage proposals, and coordinate with a multi-disciplinary team to secure opportunities while traveling as needed. Hybrid work is available.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years BD experience in defence sector.
• Excellent English communication, both written and spoken.
• Technical/engineering background desirable.
• Willing to travel and work flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK/global BD and capture activities for Combat Air Systems.
• Develop and extend customer relationships in UK/Europe and globally.
• Lead pursuit decisions, bid/no-bid gates and FMR meetings.
• Coordinate with Mission Systems teams to support growth initiatives.
• Provide weekly pursuit updates and plan marketing/sales programs.

Skills

BD experience

Stakeholder networking

Proposal management

Capture management

Communication skills

Education

Engineering background desirable

Experience with AI/ML models preferred

Job description

Business Development Manager - Mission Systems Avionics

• Full-time
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Compensation: GBP 62,000 - GBP 80,000 - yearly

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.

General Dynamics in St Leonards-on-Sea currently provide avionic mission computing systems for a wide range of military fast jets, helicopters, and UAV’s. Recent success has resulted in General Dynamics developing the next generation of Advanced High Performance, Safety Critical Mission Computer Systems to meet the needs of latest platforms in development by several aircraft manufacturers. These Mission Computing Systems provide the functionality that integrates aircraft systems, sensor systems and stores management systems with the information and control systems required by the aircrew to meet the demanding operational needs of these aircraft.

The Business Development (BD) Manager - Mission System Avionics is responsible for leading defence related business development and capture activities primarily covering the Air domain. Responsibilities include; strategic planning, maintaining and extending existing business relationships, identification and development of new business opportunities, and leading strategic initiatives to ensure long term sustainable growth. The BD manager will work directly for the Mission System Avionics Director, based in Hastings, UK.

Typical Duties:

• UK / Global business development and capture activities covering Combat Air Systems area:
  • Mission System solutions
  • Weapons management (covering air, land, maritime pursuits)
  • High integrity mission computing solutions
• Customer relationship development and the cultivation of new relationships with a core focus in the UK / European market but extending into Global markets e.g. Middle East and Asia Pacific
• Build a diverse network with representatives / project staff in various government and customer departments and organizations which are able to support our business interests;
• Develop and represent business cases and strategic plans for individual pursuits and broader initiatives
• Work with the existing team to identify growth strategies and consolidate the orders forecast in support of the Long Range Strategic Plan (LRSP) cycle.
• Lead Capture / Proposal Management team activities for approved opportunities and run / oversee Pursuit Decisions, Bid / No-bid gates and Formal Management Review (FMR) meetings in accordance with the company procedures;
• Align with other Mission Systems International BD and capture team staff to ensure adequate program support for franchise growth initiatives
• Influence to ensure that Mission System Avionics proposals are favourably aligned, received and reviewed;
• Lead internal business development activities into other Mission Systems business units and providing them with information regarding specific programs, customer direction and thinking, as well as general information dealing with the defence market;
• Provide weekly pursuit updates for internal review meetings and support / organize strategic planning sessions;
• Participate in development, planning, and implementation of marketing and sales programs such as trade shows, press releases, brochures, data sheets, white papers, briefings, etc;
• Lead trade show and conference delegations to promote the business and its capabilities;
• Enable vision / direction and support to marketing communications as well as engineering development teams;
• Build and maintain a strong network within industry. This includes identifying the strengths and weaknesses of potential partners and competitors for collaboration and/or competition;
• Minimum of 5 year’s BD experience in a defence related industry sector
• A team player who unites multi-disciplinary teams and aligns them around common goals and objectives as they relate to business winning activities
• Business development and capture management
• Knowledge of procurement approaches used in UK / European programs and by relevant supplier base and government agencies.
• Have excellent communication skills - conversational and written use of English.
• Able to work flexible hours and be willing to travel

Education

• A technical/engineering background to degree level is desirable however an acceptable level of business experience will be considered for the right candidate
• Experience working with or familiarity with AI/ML models is preferred

This role has a starting salary of between £62,000 and £80,000 plus our flexible benefits package.

We are open to this role being spent with time working from home and in the office (hybrid - typically 3 days working in office) on a weekly basis or fully in our offices.

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits:

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

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 fuelled by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, as such we offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Please email [e-mail] if you would like your application to be considered under the DC Scheme.

All successful/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.

Every application matters to us. We want you to know that each application we receive is reviewed by a real person—not just an algorithm. Our screening questions are also carefully considered to help us understand your experience and fit for the role.

We appreciate the time you take to apply.