Global Head of Partnerships

TipTopJob; West Midlands Combined Authority; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the aerospace and defence sectors seeks a Global Head of Partnerships to drive strategic sales growth. This hybrid role involves managing relationships with clients and key stakeholders while delivering insights and guiding commercial negotiations. Candidates should possess substantial experience within the industry and have a strong network of contacts. The role is pivotal in navigating the dynamic landscape of aerospace initiatives, promoting mutual value with strategic partners.

Qualifications

• Experience managing core clients in the aerospace and defence sectors.
• Understanding of products and manufacturing environments.
• Proven sector contacts and supply chain exposure.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end sales cycle from prospecting to contract close.
• Further grow existing customer partnerships and develop new revenue strategies.
• Engage with senior procurement and programme stakeholders.

Skills

Sales Management

Business Development

Customer Engagement

Strategic Partnerships

Market Insights

Job description

Global Head of Partnerships: Aero and Defence

In support of a UK and Germany based manufacturing group focused on the manufacture and supply of components and added value within the aerospace and defence sectors in the UK and globally, we are seeking a NEW Global Head of Partnerships to further grow strategically aligned sales.

With an existing and proven awareness of the aerospace and defence sectors, this role will support a highly motivated professional who brings experience and leadership to the role as well as a strategic and positive approach.

This role requires transparent and direct sales management and business development engagement to expand sales from current clients and target new long-term relationships. Specifically, and in line with recent UK defence spend increases and aircraft programme visibility, this role is to strategically grow sales, with the defence sector remaining core.

Key Accountabilities

1. Own the end-to-end sales cycle from prospecting to contract close across UK and European markets.
2. Further grow existing customer partnerships while developing and executing strategies for new revenue.
3. Engage directly with senior procurement, programme, and executive stakeholders at primes and government entities.
4. Drive deals aligned to strategic platforms (e.g., F-35, GCAP) ensuring mutual value creation with OE and sub-tier organisations.
5. Champion differentiators in compliance, delivery, digitisation, and quality.
6. Provide commercial input to bid and pricing strategies in collaboration with CEO and Finance.
7. Represent the company at major defence and aerospace exhibitions, industry events, and trade bodies.
8. Develop an active pipeline with clear prioritisation and accountability for progress.
9. Lead deal diligence, qualification, and closure, including coordination of legal, technical, and operational inputs.
10. Feed market insights, customer requirements, and competitor intelligence into the business and technological roadmap.
11. Uphold the company's mission and values as a standard in all external engagements.

Candidates should have detailed experience managing core clients and delivering new sales in defence and aerospace sectors, with a good understanding of products, manufacturing environment, and culture. The role is commercially focused, requiring the character and style to engage personnel at all levels.

This hybrid role is based in the UK with close contact across the Group in the UK and Germany. It does not manage internal sales processes but supports customer engagement, new programme growth, bid activities, and commercial negotiations.

Applicants should have proven sector contacts, supply chain exposure, and be eligible for UK SC requirements.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. Please ensure your name, email, phone number, and location are included for effective processing.