Strategic Partnerships Manager / Business Development Manager – Defence & Aerospace

Puma Berry Ltd; Exeter; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK defence consulting firm is seeking an experienced Strategic Partnerships Manager to expand its presence in the UK defence and aerospace market. This fully remote role offers flexibility, allowing full-time or part-time engagement. Candidates are preferred with a strong network and experience in winning contracts, alongside a background in the Armed Forces being advantageous. Opportunity to significantly shape the growth of a specialist engineering delivery partner.

Benefits

Negotiable base salary based on experience

Generous profit-sharing on projects

Fully remote role with flexible hours

Qualifications

• Strong existing network within the defence and aerospace sector.
• Proven track record in winning contracts or securing Statements of Work.
• Understanding of procurement processes and security clearance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities within the UK defence and aerospace sector.
• Research and target relevant projects available through public and private defence frameworks.
• Build and maintain relationships with procurement and programme decision-makers.
• Attend selected industry events and networking opportunities.

Skills

Defence & Aerospace Business Development

Strategic Partnerships & Networking

Communication & Presentation Skills

Negotiation & Contract Management

Market Research & Opportunity Identification

Job description

Company Description

At Puma Berry Ltd, we partner with medium and large organisations in the UK defence and aerospace sector to deliver complex technology projects. Our outcome-based approach ensures every Statement of Work (SoW) is completed to specification and with measurable results, while our network of expert partners means we bring the right skills to each challenge.

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced and well-connected Strategic Partnerships Manager / Business Development Manager to expand our presence in the UK defence and aerospace market. Candidates with former Armed Forces experience (Army, Royal Navy, or Royal Air Force) are highly preferred, but this is not mandatory.

The role offers full flexibility — it can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis — and is fully remote, with occasional travel to events or client meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities within the UK defence and aerospace sector.
• Research and target relevant projects available through public and private defence frameworks.
• Build and maintain relationships with procurement, engineering, and programme decision-makers.
• Attend selected industry events, networking opportunities, and exhibitions on behalf of Puma Berry Ltd.
• Develop and present tailored proposals highlighting our outcome-based delivery model and technical capabilities.
• Collaborate with the Directors to align business development efforts with strategic growth objectives.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Former UK Armed Forces experience preferred, but not mandatory.
• Strong existing network within the defence and aerospace sector.
• Proven track record in winning contracts or securing Statements of Work.
• Understanding of procurement processes, security clearance requirements, and IR35 compliance.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and deliver results.

What We Offer

• Negotiable base salary based on experience.
• Generous profit-sharing on projects you help secure.
• Fully remote role with flexible hours.
• Choice of full-time or part-time engagement.
• Opportunity to directly shape the growth of a specialist, high-trust engineering delivery partner in the UK defence market.

Key Skills

• Defence & Aerospace Business Development
• Strategic Partnerships & Networking
• Procurement & Supplier Engagement
• Statement of Work (SoW) Delivery Models
• Defence Frameworks & Supply Chains
• Bid & Proposal Development
• Negotiation & Contract Management
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Industry Event Representation
• IR35 & Compliance Knowledge
• Market Research & Opportunity Identification
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Self-Motivation & Independent Working