Senior Business Development Manager - Defence

Manufacturing Technology Centre; Coventry; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research centre in the UK is looking for an experienced Senior Business Development Manager to drive growth within the Defence sector. The role focuses on building and nurturing relationships, identifying sales opportunities, and translating customer needs into outcomes. Candidates should have extensive experience in the Defence industry, and a proven ability to manage multi-million-pound sales pipelines. A degree in Business or Engineering is preferred, along with a proactive mindset towards transformation.

Qualifications

• 5-15 years of experience in the Defence sector.
• Proven track record in developing multi-million-pound sales pipelines.
• Experience in a management level commercial environment.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate significant growth across the Defence sector.
• Identify and convert sales opportunities.
• Develop and manage strategic account plans.

Skills

Sales pipeline management

Consultative selling

Written communication

Stakeholder engagement

Agile mindset

Education

Degree in Business or Engineering (MBA preferred)

Tools

CRM tools (Miller Heiman)

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Senior Business Development Manager with proven experience and relationships within the Defence Sector to join our growing defence business.

This role can be based in either Coventry, Liverpool or Oxford.

You’ll be responsible for facilitating significant and strategically relevant growth across our Defence sector, as part of our broader cross‑Defence industry engagement, through the identification and conversion of sales opportunities. These opportunities will primarily be direct industrial projects with an awareness to complementary “collaborative research & development” (CR&D) activities that are completed in partnership with industry organisations and a variety of public sector bodies. Ultimately the focus is on delivering high impact manufacturing transformation for individual organisations, industry sectors and UK Plc.

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is a research centre operating within Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 4-9, taking academic research and maturing it to the point where it can be exploited by industry. We work with global corporates and SMEs alike, helping them; embrace latest technology, improve productivity and maximise value creation opportunities & competitive advantage.

As Senior Business Development Manager – Defence, you’ll lead significant revenue growth within Defence sector activities.

Building and nurture relationships with both new and key customers

Identifying and closing high‑value sales opportunities, from initial engagement to delivery.

Understanding customer roadmaps and translating complex aspirations into tangible outcomes.

Developing strategic account plans and collaborating with internal experts to deliver world‑class solutions.

Managing your pipeline with precision – owning every stage from lead generation to closing.

Who we’re Looking For

We’re looking for a Senior Business Development professional with an established network within the Defence industry, and experience of operating at management level in a commercial environment.

You’ll have knowledge and understanding of how the Defence industry is developing based on PEST factors and associated strategic opportunities driven through demonstrable experience of working in the defence environment over a long term period (5-15 years).

Required

• Experience of building and closing multi‑million‑pound sales pipelines
• Consultative/solution selling experience within Business Development roles
• Thorough experience of sales and CRM tools such as Miller Heiman and their application
• Good written communication skills e.g. concise proposal writing
• The ability to engage with internal stakeholders, particularly engineers, to gain and credibly communicate an understanding of technology and engineering opportunities
• A proactive, agile mindset with a passion for transformation
• Driving licence

Desirable

• Knowledge of engineering and manufacturing techniques.
• Degree in Business or Engineering (MBA preferred)