Managing Director

Simpson Judge; Manchester; On-site; GBP 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established SME in the Defence sector seeks an experienced Managing Director in Manchester. The role involves leading strategic and operational transformations to restore profitability and drive growth. Successful candidates should have extensive leadership experience, strong knowledge of the UK defence landscape, and a proven ability to manage complex contracts. The position offers a salary of circa £120,000 pa, private health care, and other benefits, including a 4-day working week.

Benefits

Private health care

Excellent company pension

4 day working week

Excellent holidays and other benefits

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience (Managing Director, CEO, or equivalent) in an SME or mid-sized defence organisation.
• In-depth knowledge of the UK defence industry including procurement and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience leading a successful business turnaround.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record in complex defence contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organisational change and inspire teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the business through a strategic and operational transformation to restore profitability.
• Develop and execute turnaround strategies aligned with board objectives.
• Strengthen the company's presence within the UK defence marketplace.
• Oversee all business operations ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Drive new business development leveraging market knowledge.

Skills

Business turnaround leadership

Strategic development

Commercial acumen

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree-level education in business, engineering, defence studies, or related field

MBA or similar qualification

Job description

Overview

Managing Director — Manchester

Salary: £120,000pa + car + potential future equity

I am working with a well-established SME in Manchester in the Defence sector who are seeking an experienced Managing Director to join their team on a permanent basis. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role is ideal for a candidate who is experienced in business turnaround, leading the strategic and operational direction of the company, improvement of financial performance, driving growth and ensuring strong relationships with customers within the defence sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead the business through a strategic and operational transformation to restore profitability and long-term sustainability.
• Develop and execute a turnaround strategy aligned with board objectives, delivering measurable performance improvements.
• Strengthen the company's presence and reputation within the UK defence marketplace, building trusted relationships with MoD, DE&S, and key industry partners.
• Oversee all business operations, ensuring compliance with defence industry regulations and contractual obligations.
• Provide strong leadership across all departments, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the company with key clients, stakeholders, and at high-level defence and industry events.
• Drive new business development, leveraging existing relationships and market knowledge to secure strategic contracts and partnerships.
• Ensure sound financial management, cost control, and operational efficiency across the business.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience (Managing Director, CEO, or equivalent), ideally in an SME or mid-sized defence organisation.
• In-depth knowledge of the UK defence industry, including procurement processes, regulatory requirements, and key stakeholders — knowledge of the defence sector is an essential requirement for this role.
• Proven experience leading a successful business turnaround — restoring profitability, restructuring operations, or re-aligning strategy.
• Strong commercial acumen, with a track record of securing and managing complex defence contracts.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships across government, primes, and industry bodies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organisational change and inspire high-performance teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Degree-level education in business, engineering, defence studies, or a related field; MBA or similar qualification is advantageous.
• Must be eligible to obtain UK security clearance.
• Detail oriented, able to investigate and look at a business from ground level up.

What we offer

• Salary circa £120,000pa + car
• Potential for future equity in the business - will be discussed at interview
• Private health care
• Excellent company pension
• 4 day working week (condensed hours across Monday - Thursday)
• Excellent holidays and other benefits

If you are interested in this role, please click apply now and I will be in touch to discuss further