Head of Sales - Defence/Aero (Hybrid)

Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd; West Midlands Combined Authority; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy seeks a Global Head of Sales / Partnerships to drive growth in the aerospace and defence sectors. This hybrid role involves strategic engagement with clients, expanding partnerships, and managing the end-to-end sales cycle across the UK and Europe. Candidates need a strong sales background and contacts within the industry.

Qualifications

• Experience managing existing core clients in defence and aerospace sectors.
• Character and style to engage personnel at all levels.
• Proven contacts and direct sector/supply chain exposure.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end sales cycle across UK and European markets.
• Develop and execute strategies for net-new revenue.
• Engage with senior procurement and executive stakeholders.

Skills

Sales Management

Business Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Job description

Head of Sales - Defence/Aero (Hybrid)

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 Sales / Partnerships to further grow strategically aligned sales.

With an existing and proven working 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 a transparent and direct level of sales management and business development engagement to expand sales from current clients, as well as target new long-term relationships. Specifically, and in line with the recent UK defence spend increase announcement combined with existing and future aircraft programme visibility, this role is to strategically grow sales. The defence sector therefore remains 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 net-new revenue
3. Engage directly with senior procurement, programme, and executive stakeholders at primes and government entities
4. Drive forward deals aligned to strategic platforms (e.g., F-35, GCAP, and others), 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 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 on deal diligence, qualification, and closure, including coordination of legal, technical, and operational inputs
10. Feed market insights, customer requirements, and competitor intelligence into our business and technological roadmap
11. Uphold the Company's mission and values as a non-negotiable standard in all external engagements

To support this role, candidates will need to have detailed and qualified experience of managing existing core clients and delivering new sales across the defence and aerospace sectors. Suitable candidates will have an understanding of the products, manufacturing environment, and culture. The Global Head of Sales / Partnerships will be commercially focused, with the character and style to engage personnel at all levels across the organisation.

This hybrid role is based in the UK but requires close contact with the Group in the UK and Germany. It is not a management role over internal sales processes but involves supporting customer engagement, new programme growth, bid/tender activities, and commercial negotiations. The role will also contribute to successful new business projects and programmes.

Suitable candidates will have proven contacts and direct sector/supply chain exposure and be eligible for potential SC requirements in the UK.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. Please ensure your CV includes your name, email, phone number, and location (postcode, town, or county).