Strategic Partnerships Executive (Defence)

Insignis Talent. STR Ltd; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No bank holiday/weekend work

Flexible hours

Health cover

Pension contributions up to 8%

Life assurance

Job summary

Make UK Defence seeks a Strategic Partnerships Executive to develop and strengthen relationships with prime contractors, Tier 1 suppliers, and other key players across the defence supply chain. The role offers home-based or hybrid work with regular travel and is focused on relationship-building and strategic engagement.

You will support the Strategic Partner Director, coordinate engagement activities, and help turn insights into improved partner engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer or member care.
• Ability to prioritise tasks with strong organisational skills.
• Proactive problem-solver with good decision-making.
• Positive, adaptable, and responsible.
• Comfortable working remotely with regular travel.
• Valid driving licence and transport for site visits.
• Ability to obtain/hold security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Build and strengthen relationships with strategic partners to maximise value.
• Support regional teams to promote defence sector strengths and address capability challenges.
• Assist the Strategic Partner Director in maintaining key stakeholder relationships.
• Coordinate activities like 'Meet the Buyer' events and maintain engagement records.
• Monitor partner relationships using engagement data to identify improvements.
• Represent Make UK Defence at industry events and partner meetings.
• Gather market insights to shape partner engagement strategies.
• Collaborate across Make UK Defence and the wider organisation for a coordinated approach.

Skills

Customer care

Relationship building

Time management

Decision making

Proactive attitude

Remote work

Willingness to travel

Driving licence

Security clearance

Job description

Strategic Partnerships Executive (Defence)

Location UK

Job Type Make UK

Salary Competitive

Strategic Partnerships Executive – Defence

Home-based / hybrid, with regular travel

Full-time, permanent

• Competitive salaries and excellent benefits including up to one day’s paid leave each year to undertake volunteering opportunities

Make UK Defence is at the heart of the UK’s defence manufacturing community, bringing together organisations across the supply chain to connect, collaborate and grow. We work with companies across the defence sector, from SMEs through to major Prime Contractors and Tier 1 suppliers, helping to strengthen the UK’s industrial capability and create opportunities across the supply chain.

We’re now looking for a Strategic Partnerships Executive to join our team and play an important role in developing and strengthening our relationships with key strategic partners across the defence industry.

This is a relationship-led role with plenty of variety. You’ll work closely with our Strategic Partner Director and regional membership teams, helping us build strong, long-term relationships with Prime Contractors, Tier 1 suppliers and other influential organisations across the defence supply chain. You’ll get to know our strategic partners, understand their priorities and challenges, and help connect them with the wider Make UK Defence network.

There’s also a strong coordinate and insight element to the role. You’ll help organise engagement activity, keep relationship and contact information up to date, follow up on actions and use feedback and engagement data to identify opportunities to improve how we work with our partners.

Responsibilities

What you’ll be doing

• Build, cultivate, and enhance strong relationships with strategic partners to maximise mutual value and long-term collaboration.
• Work closely with the regional membership team to champion the strengths of the UK defence supply chain and support partners in addressing sourcing and capability challenges.
• Support the Strategic Partner Director in developing and maintaining impactful relationships with strategic partners and other key stakeholders.
• Administrative support tasks including coordinating ‘Meet the Buyer’ activities, maintaining and verifying data and contact records, following up on meeting actions, and preparing and documenting engagement plans.
• Monitor and evaluate the strength and quality of strategic partner relationships, using engagement metrics, feedback, and interaction data to track effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement
• Represent the organisation at industry events, forums, and partner meetings
• Maintain awareness of defence sector trends, procurement priorities, and supply chain challenges
• Gather and review market insights and strategic partner feedback helping to shape partner engagement approaches, influence decision-making, and ensure alignment with evolving industry and stakeholder requirements.
• Work collaboratively across Make UK Defence and the wider Make UK organisation to ensure a coordinated, consistent, and effective approach across the organisation.

Requirements

About you

We’re looking for someone who is naturally good with people and enjoys building relationships.

• Customer and/or member care experience
• Ability to prioritise tasks, excellent organisational skills, and effective time management.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach.
• Positive and adaptable attitude.
• Willingness to take responsibility and seek support when necessary.
• Comfortable and effective in a remote working environment.
• Ability to work from a home base or office as required, with regular travel.
• Full driving license with access to transport for site visits and meetings.
• Ability to obtain/hold relevant security clearance

Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for manufacturing industry in the UK. Make UK has the close ear of Government and is a trusted provider of essential services for world leading manufacturing companies across the country. Everything we do is designed to inspire British manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow.

Make UK staff enjoy a good benefits package and values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Benefits to include, but not limited to:

• no bank holiday/weekend work
• flexible hours
• health cover
• matched pension contributions up to 8%
• life assurance

We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and we recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation and have pledged to support this by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Our Values at Make UK: Inclusivity & Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, & Collaboration

Make UK

UK [phone] [e-mail] See all Make's jobs

Bio

Make UK is a leading advocate for UK manufacturers, championing growth, innovation, and resilience in the sector. With a history spanning over 130 years, the organisation has supported businesses of all sizes, from ambitious start-ups to global industry leaders.Through campaigning, sector expertise, and a comprehensive range of business services, Make UK helps manufacturers navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Its extensive network fosters collaboration across regional and national communities, enabling businesses to share knowledge and drive industry progress.Make UK provides deep expertise in critical areas such as skills development, policy advocacy, and compliance. Its renowned apprenticeship training programs equip the next generation with the skills needed to support the sector’s future.Committed to shaping the landscape of UK manufacturing, Make UK continues to influence policy, support innovation, and empower businesses to thrive in an evolving industrial environment.