Head of Aviation Solutions

Sagentia Defence; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sagentia is seeking a Head of Aviation Solutions in Cambridge to lead the overall planning and execution of our opportunity pipeline. You will drive high-value sales streams, including airspace change programmes and technical solutions, while collaborating with customers to convert opportunities into contracts.

You will propel progression from seed contracts to scale opportunities, strengthen market engagement and expand the pipeline to achieve sustainable revenue growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in business development and sales leadership in UK aviation.
• Strong understanding of commercial terms and governance processes.
• Proven ability to develop strategy and drive growth in aerospace.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of the business development strategy, plans and key account management.
• Ensure bid quality, pipeline quality and adherence to business processes.
• Execute governance from opportunity identification through contract award.
• Own the overall commercial offer and lead pre-award negotiation.
• Manage direct reports and cross-team engagement to drive strategy.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strategy development

Technical credibility

Collaboration

Communication

Relationship building

Opportunity identification

Education

Degree or equivalent

Relevant professional qualifications

Tools

Software capability

Job description

Head of Aviation Solutions

Department: Airport and Airspace

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Cambridge

Description

Sagentia is a leading global regulatory, science and technology consultancy. It excels in research and development, safety and regulatory services, and technical programme delivery. The business has five practices operating internationally across the highly regulated markets of aviation, medical, defence, consumer, food and beverage, and industrial.

Sagentia Aviation are proven aviation experts who deliver full lifecycle support across complex airspace, air traffic management and aerodrome system projects.

We provide the skills and capacity to support and manage regulation, safeguarding and certification within airspace, technical safety and communication, navigation and surveillance systems.

We have an enviable track record of success as a small consultancy within the aviation sector. You can read more on our website: Aviation Expert insights.

The role

As part of our growth plans, we are seeking a Head of Aviation Solutions to leads the overall planning and execution of our opportunity pipeline, ensuring a structured and proactive approach to strategy, business development and growth.

The role drives high-value sales streams, including airspace change programmes and technical solutions, while working closely with customers and stakeholders to convert opportunities into successful contracts.

In collaboration with the wider team, the role enables progression of from seed corn contracts to scale opportunities, strengthens market engagement and expands the pipeline to achieve sustainable revenue growth.

This is a great opportunity for the right individual who will be the focal point for our business growth in the aviation business and the primary contact internally and externally for growth opportunities.

We are seeking a proven leader in strategy and business development with an established aviation network and knowledge across the aviation ecosystem, capable of driving long term growth.

Key Responsibilities

The principal responsibilities of the role include:

• Ownership of the business development strategy, plans and key account management.
• Assurance of bid quality, pipeline quality and business process adherence including customer relationship management information maintenance.
• Execution of governance processes from opportunity identification through contract award.
• Ownership of the overall commercial offer and leadership of pre-award negotiation.
• Management of direct reports and intra- and cross-team engagement to facilitate the overall business strategy.

The key performance characteristics of the role are focussed on pipeline performance throughout the full opportunity lifecycle. Principally measured by meeting the agreed business revenue plan, overall pipeline growth, bid-to-contract conversion and productive engagement with our clients and industry stakeholders.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Commercial acumen: Demonstrable experience in a business-oriented role in the UK aviation sector (e.g. sales, business development, operations management) with good understanding of commercial quality and terms.
• Strategy development: Strategic thinker with proven ability to synthesise new business strategies and deliver a long-term growth plan, identifying market opportunities and potential for service expansion.
• Technical credibility: Understanding of the UK aviation regulatory landscape and a deep understanding of industry challenges and trends.
• Collaboration: Effective team player, able to identify and capitalise on cross-selling opportunities, demonstrating the integrated value proposition across capability domains.
• Communication: Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills. Confident and credible presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders internal and external to the organisation.
• Degree qualified or calibre, ideally in a related discipline.
• Relevant professional qualifications for your area of expertise.
• Relevant software capability to manage work deliverables.