Principal/Managing Consultant - Business Growth

Actica Consulting Ltd; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A consulting firm in the Defence Sector seeks a Principal or Managing Consultant to lead Business Development efforts. This high-impact role involves strategic leadership and hands-on execution across the UK defence sector. Candidates should have a strong understanding of defence, digital programme experience, and excellent communication skills. The position offers a collaborative environment and hybrid working options, with opportunities to influence growth and direction within the firm.

Benefits

Collaborative environment with access to senior leadership

Opportunities to work on diverse Defence programmes

Professional development pathways

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the UK defence sector and the Ministry of Defence.
• Background in digital programmes through consulting or programme delivery.
• High intellectual agility with a proactive, growth-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market analysis to identify growth opportunities in the UK defence sector.
• Engage with prospective clients and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Lead the end-to-end pursuit process in identifying and pursuing new opportunities.

Skills

Understanding of the UK defence sector and the Ministry of Defence

Digital programme background

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Job description

We are seeking an ambitious Principal or Managing Consultant to join the senior leadership team within our Defence Sector. This is a high-impact, hands‑on role for an experienced consulting or digital delivery professional who wants to shape and deliver our growth agenda in UK Defence, from spotting opportunities and building relationships to leading bids and securing new work.

Working closely with our Defence Sector Directors, this role will take responsibility for planning, co‑ordinating and delivering our Business Development activities. It is an ideal opportunity for an individual with significant delivery or consulting experience who is looking to take the next step in their career towards a more executive role.

This role combines strategic leadership with practical, sleeves‑rolled‑up delivery. You will have access to expert support where needed, but you will also be expected to do much of the core work yourself, from shaping opportunities and leading bids to building relationships and driving sector growth. If you enjoy both strategy and hands‑on execution, this role will suit you well. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. This includes ex‑serving Armed Forces personnel, whose leadership, operational experience and other transferable skills are highly valued, even if you have not previously worked in consulting.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Development

• Conduct structured market and account analysis to identify growth opportunities across the UK defence sector.
• Work with Defence Sector Directors to shape Business Development strategy and convert it into clear, measurable plans (e.g. pipeline, order intake, revenue targets).
• Drive pre‑positioning activities and hold yourself and others to account for agreed actions.

Client & Partner Engagement

• Engage confidently with new and prospective clients, leveraging Actica’s established reputation and supported by our Subject Matter Experts.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the defence ecosystem, including partner organisations.
• Represent Actica at selected industry events, forums and briefings, and support thought‑leadership or marketing activity where appropriate (e.g. speaking slots, articles, LinkedIn content).

Opportunity Qualification & Bid Leadership

• Act as the central point for identifying, qualifying and prioritising new opportunities in line with sector strategy.
• Lead the end‑to‑end pursuit process in new areas, from shaping propositions and win strategies through to coordinating inputs, writing key sections and presenting to clients.
• Ensure bids are commercially robust, compelling and aligned to Actica’s capabilities and values.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong understanding of the UK defence sector and the Ministry of Defence
• Background in digital programmes, whether through consulting, programme delivery, or transformation leadership.
• High intellectual agility with a proactive, growth‑oriented mindset.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.

Additional Requirements

• Must be eligible and willing to obtain UK Government Security Clearance.
• Strong interest in digital technologies and their application to UK defence and national security.

Key Attributes for Success

• Ability to engage credibly with senior clients and internal stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach with the confidence to lead others and hold them to account.
• Curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to take on new strategic challenges.

What we offer

• A high‑impact role where you will directly influence the growth and direction of Actica’s Defence Sector.
• A collaborative, supportive environment with direct access to senior leadership and the ability to shape how we develop our services and go‑to‑market approach.
• Opportunities to work on a diverse range of Defence programmes and stay close to both digital delivery and strategy.
• A culture that values integrity, expertise and professional development, with clear pathways to broaden your consulting and leadership skills.
• Hybrid working, with office bases in Guildford, London, Swindon and Cheltenham, and flexibility to balance client, team and home working.