UK Defence & Aerospace Growth Lead

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions; Cranfield; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to drive opportunity identification and conversion in the UK defence market. You will lead relationships with MOD, Armed Forces and prime contractors, shaping propositions and guiding opportunities through the full BD lifecycle.

You will work alongside engineering and programme teams to translate capabilities into customer value, monitor market developments, and represent the company at events and meetings in the UK

Qualifications

• Significant business development, sales, capture or commercial experience within aerospace and defence.
• Demonstrable experience in the UK defence market and with defence customers, procurement routes and contracts.
• Experience building relationships with MOD, Armed Forces, defence primes and major suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute BD activity across defence and civil aerospace with a focus on defence growth.
• Identify, qualify and develop opportunities aligned with capabilities and strategy.
• Build senior-level relationships across the UK defence ecosystem (MOD, Armed Forces, primes).
• Develop relationships with civil aerospace customers, OEMs and partners.
• Understand defence programmes, procurement routes and emerging capability requirements.
• Lead engagement from initial contact to proposal, negotiation and contract award.
• Support responses to RFIs/RFPs/ITTs and other procurement opportunities.
• Develop compelling commercial propositions with cross-functional teams and manage the gate process.

Skills

Defence sector experience

UK defence market understanding

Stakeholder management

BD lifecycle

Proposal development

Strategic thinking

Pricing & negotiation

CRM / pipeline mgmt

Partnerships & consortia

Travel flexibility

Job description

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to drive opportunity identification and conversion in the UK defence market. You will lead relationships with MOD, Armed Forces and prime contractors, shaping propositions and guiding opportunities through the full BD lifecycle.

You will work alongside engineering and programme teams to translate capabilities into customer value, monitor market developments, and represent the company at events and meetings in the UK