Strategic Partnerships Director - Aerospace

National Composites Centre; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace innovation center in Bristol seeks a Strategic Partnership Director to drive business growth through strategic partnership development. This role involves engaging with industry leaders, enhancing NCC's profile, and fostering innovation initiatives. The ideal candidate should possess a strong network within aerospace, a proven track record in partnerships, and the ability to leverage data for strategic decisions. Flexible working, annual salary reviews, and comprehensive benefits are part of the package.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Annual salary reviews

Up to 12.5% employer pension contribution

Flexible working

Qualifications

• Strong senior network within the aerospace sector.
• Experience in supporting business growth through partnerships.
• Track record of delivering innovative initiatives.
• Proficiency in using data to inform strategies.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for the partnership approach.
• Develop a network of senior leaders across aerospace.
• Raise the profile of NCC's capabilities within the sector.
• Expand the partnership portfolio informed by market insights.
• Represent NCC in business and industry initiatives.
• Collaborate with directors to drive impactful external campaigns.
• Commit to talent development within the organization.
• Lead high-priority projects and secure necessary funding.

Skills

Network with aerospace leaders

Experience in innovation partnerships

Stakeholder engagement

Understanding of UK innovation funding

Data-driven strategy development

Leadership in advocacy

Job description

Strategic Partnership Director - Aerospace

NCC

Location: Bristol based with Hybrid working

Salary: Competitive Salary plus up to 12.5% employer pension, private medical insurance and additional benefits package.

Closing Date: 18th January 2026. We reserve the right to withdraw adverts earlier if required.

Summary

We are seeking an experienced senior leader to lead, develop and diversify NCC’s Aerospace Partnership portfolio. This includes working closely with industry, policy-makers and investment organisations (regionally and nationally) to deliver even greater impact for the sector and for the UK.

Part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, NCC is an independent, open-access technology centre focused on addressing some of the world’s most complex engineering challenges. You will join this dynamic organisation as it implements its 5-year strategy, one that is growth and impact focused.

Reporting to the Chief Business Officer you will be accountable for the development and leadership of strategic partnerships that expand and broaden our impact and reach. You will work across the company to set strategic direction and ensure this is informed by latest insight and intelligence. You will demonstrate strong leadership, embed a customer-focused approach to delivery and work in lockstep with industry to deliver even greater impact for the UK. Critically, you will also be committed to contributing to the corporate leadership of the organisation and to exemplifying its values and behaviours.

What you’ll be doing

• Set strategic direction and implement a strategic partnership approach to accelerate and drive business growth through a portfolio of technology, capability, and service offerings.
• Develop a network of senior leaders across innovation, industry, professional services and allied organisations and networks.
• Raise NCC’s profile across this stakeholder landscape to ensure its capabilities and expertise are known and understood.
• Expand NCC’s portfolio of innovative partnership constructs and commercial offerings; informed by latest external analysis, and market insight.
• Represent NCC on relevant business and industry initiatives and networks and inform organisational thought leadership.
• In partnership with the Director for External Affairs, inform national and sub-national strategy and investment decisions.
• Work collaboratively with NCC Directors and teams to inform the development and delivery of impactful, targeted, and customer-focused external sector campaigns that grow the business and expand its customer pipeline.
• Be committed to developing the talents of the wider organisation.
• Alongside leading day‑to‑day activities, this role will be central to driving forward high‑priority projects and securing the public and private sector funding needed to deliver them.

What we’re looking for

• Evidence of a strong, senior network with leaders across the aerospace sector (OEMs and supply chain).
• Experience of supporting companies to grow and scale through innovation partnerships.
• Track record of convening senior stakeholder groups to secure and or deliver major innovation initiatives.
• Developed understanding of the UK innovation funding landscape and that of relevant aerospace networks and initiatives.
• Evidenced ability to use data, including stakeholder insights and wider intelligence, to inform strategy development and underpin business growth.
• Proven track record in skilful navigation through senior stakeholders across the business and industry.
• Leadership in acting as an ambassador and advocate for an organisation and or sector.
• A track record of strong leadership, of delivering through others in a matrix organisation and of developing high performing teams.

The post involves regular travel to Bristol and London.

What do we offer in return?

Hybrid and flexible working as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.

Unsure if you should apply? Got a quick question you wanted to check beforehand? Please feel free to reach out to the recruitment team – [e-mail]

We see your future in ours. Apply now.