Head of Sales : Defence/Aero (Hybrid)

TipTopJob; West Midlands Combined Authority; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing group seeks a Global Head of Sales / Partnerships to drive strategic growth within the aerospace and defence sectors. This pivotal role demands expertise in sales management, strong stakeholder engagement, and a proven track record in business development, focusing on both existing customers and new revenue streams.

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace and defence sectors.
• Track record of engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to drive sales and manage end-to-end sales cycles.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end sales cycle from prospecting to contract closure.
• Grow customer partnerships and execute revenue strategies.
• Engage with senior procurement and executive stakeholders.

Skills

Sales Management

Business Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Commercial Acumen

Market Insight

Job description

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 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, 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 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 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 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 should be commercially focused, with a character and style that complement the challenges of the role and an ability to engage with personnel at all levels across the organisation.

Based in the UK with hybrid working, this role involves close contact with the Group in the UK and Germany. It is not responsible for managing internal sales processes but will support customer engagement, new programme identification, bid/tender activities, and commercial negotiations. The role will contribute to successful new business projects and programme introductions.

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

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised are those of an Employment Agency.

To ensure effective processing, please include your name, email address, phone number, and location (postcode, town, or county).