UK&I Defence Segment Leader

Schneider Electric; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology firm is seeking a Defence Segment Leader for the UK & Ireland region. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the Defence segment strategy, managing key accounts, and influencing market trends in the UK Defence sector. This role requires strong strategic account management skills and the ability to navigate Defence procurement frameworks. The position offers competitive remuneration and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary & Bonus Scheme

28 Days Annual Leave + Public Holidays

Pension Scheme

Employee Share Ownership Programme

Learning Portal

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of Defence procurement models
• Strong record in business growth
• Understanding of MOD ecosystem and standards

Responsibilities

• Own overall Defence segment strategy and top accounts
• Identify market trends and energy-transition needs
• Ensure compliance with Defence Digital standards
• Build senior stakeholder relationships across MOD

Skills

Strategic account management

Stakeholder management

Customer-centric leadership

Commercial fluency

Collaboration in matrix environments

Influence without authority

Execution discipline

Education

Proven experience in the UK Defence sector

Ability to obtain SC clearance

Job description

Mission:

The Defence Segment Leader – UK & Ireland is responsible for leading Schneider Electric’s full growth, market-share, and customer-impact strategy across the UK Defence sector.

This role requires deep knowledge of the MOD ecosystem, Defence procurement models, Defence Digital standards, and engagement with Defence primes and infrastructure partners.

You will own the overall Defence segment strategy, directly manages the top 5 strategic Defence accounts, and orchestrates account coverage, pursuits, and delivery across the UK&I region.

Segment Strategy & Growth – Defence Focus

• Define and execute the UK&I Defence segment strategy aligned with MOD priorities, Defence Industrial Strategy, and Schneider Electric global Defence initiatives.
• Identify Defence-specific market trends and energy-transition needs across estates, bases, data centres, and infrastructure.
• Develop Defence-tailored value propositions and messaging.
• Ensure alignment with government frameworks including CCS, JSPs, and Defence Digital governance.

Strategic Defence Account Management

• Act as primary relationship owner for top five strategic Defence accounts.
• Build senior stakeholder relationships across MOD, Defence primes, and integrators.
• Drive account penetration across electrification, microgrids, resilience, and secure digital architectures.
• Ensure accounts have clear success plans and multi-year roadmaps.

Sales Leadership & Segment Target Ownership

• Own full Defence segment revenue, margin, growth, and pipeline targets.
• Monitor KPIs, pipeline health, forecasting accuracy, and performance.
• Implement corrective actions to guarantee disciplined execution.

Collaboration & Coverage Planning

• Partner with Major Pursuits on bids and strategic competitions.
• Coordinate with Regional Account Managers and Channel Teams on coverage and opportunity allocation.
• Drive a unified One Schneider approach across Defence customers.

Defence Procurement, Compliance & Standards Leadership

• Navigate Defence procurement frameworks, contracting models, and assurance processes.
• Ensure compliance with Defence Digital standards, secure-by-design principles, and cyber requirements.
• Maintain awareness of emerging MOD policies and governance updates.

Customer Experience, Partner Engagement & Industry Influence

• Represent Schneider Electric at MOD, industry forums, and strategic events.
• Build influence across Defence primes and ecosystem partners.
• Champion customer satisfaction and long-term value creation.

KPIs for Success

• Achieve or exceed annual Defence segment orders target.
• Deliver Defence segment margin aligned with business objectives.
• Increase wallet share and revenue across top Defence accounts.
• Maintain a pipeline ≥ 3× annual target.
• Improve or maintain NPS for Defence strategic accounts.
• Deliver timely execution of Defence account coverage plans.

Skill & Experience:

• Proven experience in the UK Defence sector.
• Strong understanding of Defence procurement and contracting models.
• Ability to obtain SC clearance (DV desirable).
• Strong record in strategic account management and business growth.
• Excellent influencing and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strategic Defence insight
• Customer-centric leadership
• Influence without authority
• Execution discipline & accountability
• Collaboration in matrix environments
• Commercial and financial fluency

At Schneider Electric, Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of our organisation, it's an integral part of our history, culture, and identity.

We recognise that embracing diversity unlocks innovation and creativity and fosters collaboration. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our communities and the customers we serve. As a result, our teams are stronger to drive the company's future.

“We are proudly participating in the Disability Confident Program offering support to people in the workplace who consider themselves living with a disability.”

What we offer you:

Competitive salary & Bonus Scheme, 28 Days Annual Leave + Public Holidays, Holiday Buy & Sell programme, Pension Scheme, Employee Share Ownership Programme, Open Talent Market (internal mobility opportunities + access to mentors & projects globally), Learning Portal and much more.

Apply now:

Please submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. You know about us, so let us learn about you! Apply today.

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric – apply today!

€36 billion global revenue
+13% organic growth
150 000+ employees in 100+ countries
#1 on the Global 100 World’s most sustainable corporations

You must submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. This position will be posted until filled.

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.

At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here

Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.