Commercial Director

Unify; Oxford; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Unify is seeking a senior commercial leader to own the growth agenda, building relationships at senior levels and developing opportunities across a rapidly evolving space and advanced technology market.

You will lead major proposals, negotiate high-value contracts, and translate sophisticated technology into clear customer value while driving international growth. A strong network and strategic mindset are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• A strong track record in business development, sales, partnerships or commercial leadership within a technology-led environment.
• Experience securing significant contracts, partnerships or strategic customer relationships.
• An established network across relevant industry, government, technology or research ecosystems.
• The ability to understand sophisticated technical propositions and turn them into compelling commercial opportunities.
• Experience leading complex bids, proposals and negotiations.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with a hands-on approach to winning business.
• Experience operating effectively within complex, matrixed organisations and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent executive-level communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence presenting technical and commercial propositions to senior audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute commercial and business development strategies aligned to growth objectives.
• Identify, develop and close high-value opportunities, contracts and strategic partnerships.
• Lead major proposals, bids and commercial negotiations from opportunity through to award.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across industry, government, research and technology ecosystems.
• Develop compelling propositions that translate complex technology into clear customer and commercial value.
• Manage sales pipelines, forecasting and commercial performance against agreed targets.
• Bring together multidisciplinary teams across sales, technical, programme and operational functions to deliver opportunities.
• Identify emerging markets, customer requirements and partnership opportunities that can support international growth.
• Provide commercial leadership on complex opportunities, contracts, risk and negotiations.
• Represent the business at industry events, conferences and senior stakeholder forums.
• Lead and develop a high-performing commercial team and foster a strong customer and growth culture.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Partnerships

Commercial leadership

Executive communication

Relationship-building

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Matrixed organisations

Job description

The opportunity

You will take ownership of the commercial growth agenda, building relationships at senior level and developing opportunities across a rapidly evolving space and advanced technology market.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Develop and execute commercial and business development strategies aligned to growth objectives.
• Identify, develop and close high-value opportunities, contracts and strategic partnerships.
• Lead major proposals, bids and commercial negotiations from opportunity through to award.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across industry, government, research and technology ecosystems.
• Develop compelling propositions that translate complex technology into clear customer and commercial value.
• Manage sales pipelines, forecasting and commercial performance against agreed targets.
• Bring together multidisciplinary teams across sales, technical, programme and operational functions to deliver opportunities.
• Identify emerging markets, customer requirements and partnership opportunities that can support international growth.
• Provide commercial leadership on complex opportunities, contracts, risk and negotiations.
• Represent the business at industry events, conferences and senior stakeholder forums.
• Lead and develop a high-performing commercial team and foster a strong customer and growth culture.

What we're looking for

• A strong track record in business development, sales, partnerships or commercial leadership within a technology-led environment.
• Experience securing significant contracts, partnerships or strategic customer relationships.
• An established network across relevant industry, government, technology or research ecosystems.
• The ability to understand sophisticated technical propositions and turn them into compelling commercial opportunities.
• Experience leading complex bids, proposals and negotiations.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with a hands-on approach to winning business.
• Experience operating effectively within complex, matrixed organisations and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent executive-level communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence presenting technical and commercial propositions to senior audiences.
• A proactive approach to identifying new markets and developing long-term growth strategies.

Desirable

Experience within space, aerospace, advanced engineering, defence, security, dual-use technology, research or other high-technology sectors would be advantageous, as would familiarity with government procurement, innovation funding and collaborative R&D programmes.

Why this role?

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious space technology business at an exciting stage of growth, with the chance to shape its commercial direction, build strategic partnerships and help bring innovative technologies into new markets.

If you are an experienced commercial leader with a passion for technology, partnerships and growth, we'd be keen to hear from you