Head of Future Support - UK Underwater Systems

Thales Group; South Cheriton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales UK is seeking a senior leader to head Future Support within the Underwater Systems Business Line, based in Templecombe, Bristol, or Cheadle, with a hybrid pattern and up to 50% travel. You will drive growth across UK services, lead major captures and customer engagements, and shape long-term strategy with senior leadership.

The ideal candidate brings proven defence-sector leadership, track record of multi‑million bid campaigns, cross‑functional team leadership, and strong commercial

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar role, or transferable skills suited to a military maritime environment.
• Experience leading major sales captures and bid campaigns over £10m for defence, government, and industrial clients in both UK and export markets.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional, multi-national teams delivering complex engineering solutions across platform, sensor, and combat-system domains in underwater services.
• Acquired and broad knowledge of Thales service portfolios, including modifications, spares and repairs, ILS, deployed support, technical publications, obsolescence solutions, and DRACAS.
• Demonstrated capability in building trusted senior-level relationships and managing diverse international stakeholders.
• Proven skill in shaping complex customer solutions from early concept to contract, and in coaching internal teams to drive strong outcomes.
• Acquired expertise in contract negotiation, bid and project management, and new product introduction, supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience.
• Consistent demonstration of behaviours – Think Big, Make it Happen, Together – while fostering strong teams and enabling impactful, entrepreneurial decision-making.
• Holding SC clearance with the ability to achieve DV.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the long‑range growth strategy in partnership with senior leadership, ensuring sustained order‑intake performance
• Lead major UK campaigns and capture activities, aligning multi- business unit teams to present unified, high‑value offerings
• Build and manage senior‑level customer and industry relationships, using insight to strengthen win probability and guide strategic decisions
• Own customer intelligence, driving accurate forecasting, high‑quality bid planning, and clear direction for product and capability development
• Ensure internal alignment across Thales by resolving strategic conflicts and guiding coherent positioning and partnering behaviour
• Represent Thales and the MSET programme at key events with compelling messaging that enhances market presence and customer engagement
• Produce and secure approval for capture plans through internal governance while sharing best practice across the wider UK sales community

Skills

Strategic sales leadership

Stakeholder management

Defence sector knowledge

Maritime environment knowledge

Leadership of cross-functional teams

Contract negotiation

Bid campaigns

SC clearance

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Thales UK is seeking a senior leader to head Future Support within the Underwater Systems Business Line, based in Templecombe, Bristol, or Cheadle, with a hybrid pattern and up to 50% travel. You will drive growth across UK services, lead major captures and customer engagements, and shape long-term strategy with senior leadership.

The ideal candidate brings proven defence-sector leadership, track record of multi‑million bid campaigns, cross‑functional team leadership, and strong commercial