Sales Director UWS

Thales; Templecombe; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Cycle to work schemes

Employee discounts

Annual bonus

Stocks and shares

Paid volunteering day

Buying or selling annual leave

Job summary

Thales is seeking an experienced Sales Director for the Under Water Systems UK business, based in Bristol and/or Templecombe with frequent UK and international travel. The role reports to the MD and shapes and delivers UK sales strategy across domestic and export markets.

You will identify opportunities, build senior customer relationships, influence capability requirements and drive sustainable growth to support national security objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering growth in defence, aerospace, security or similarly complex sectors.
• Experience with government, military or major industrial customers.
• Strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• Ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience operating within complex, matrix organisations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the UWS UK sales and growth strategy.
• Drive profitable growth through achievement of order intake, revenue and market share objectives.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the UK Ministry of Defence, international customers, partners and industry leaders.
• Lead the pursuit of strategic UK and export opportunities.
• Work closely with Bid, Capture, Commercial and Account teams to secure successful business outcomes.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing and inclusive sales team.
• Represent Thales internally and externally as a trusted strategic partner.

Skills

Growth strategy

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Defence sector experience

Job description

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Sales Director - Under Water Systems UK

Location: Bristol and/or Templecombe (with frequent UK and international travel)

Security Clearance: SC Clearance required (or ability to obtain)

Lead Growth. Shape Strategy. Deliver Impact.

Thales is seeking an experienced and strategic Sales Director to lead the growth agenda for our Under Water Systems UK business.

Reporting to the Managing Director, Under Water Systems UK, and working closely with the UK Chief Growth Officer, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering our sales strategy across the UK and key international export markets. You will play a pivotal role in identifying new opportunities, building senior customer relationships, influencing future capability requirements, and driving sustainable business growth.

This is an opportunity to lead a high-performing sales organisation whilst contributing to the delivery of critical defence and security capabilities that support the UK and its allies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the UWS UK sales and growth strategy.
• Drive profitable growth through achievement of Order Intake, revenue and market share objectives.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the UK Ministry of Defence, international customers, partners and industry leaders.
• Lead the pursuit of strategic UK and export opportunities.
• Work closely with Bid, Capture, Commercial and Account teams to secure successful business outcomes.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing and inclusive sales team.
• Represent Thales internally and externally as a trusted strategic partner.

What We're Looking For

• A proven track record of delivering growth within defence, aerospace, security, technology or similarly complex sectors.
• Experience working with government, military or major industrial customers.
• Strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• The ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Success operating within complex, matrix organisations.

Why Thales?

At Thales, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of defence technology, work alongside talented colleagues and contribute to projects that make a real difference to national security.

We value diverse perspectives and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Closing Date: 2/10/2026

Benefits

• private medical insurance
• buying or selling annual leave
• cycle to work schemes
• employee discounts
• paid volunteering day
• stocks and shares
• annual bonus
• much more depending on the role

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.

We ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.