Vice President Marine

Expleo UK LTD; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Executive leadership exposure

Defence sector impact

Job summary

Expleo seeks a Vice President - Marine to join the UK Executive Leadership Team, reporting to the UK Managing Director, with full accountability for the strategic direction, growth, profitability and operational performance of the Marine sector. You will lead a high-performing engineering and technology business delivering services across some of the UK's most complex marine and defence programmes.

Built on strengths in Mechanical, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, you’ll accelerate growth

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience at VP level or higher.
• Proven track record delivering growth, profitability and market expansion.
• Full P&L ownership experience.
• Expertise in business development, bids and customer engagement.
• Experience in Defence, Marine, Aerospace or similarly regulated sectors.
• Current SC clearance or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the Marine sector growth strategy and long-term business plan.
• Own revenue, profitability, order intake and overall business performance.
• Lead delivery across programmes and customer accounts.
• Develop and strengthen executive-level customer relationships.
• Foster governance, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Shape workforce strategy and succession planning.

Skills

Executive leadership

P&L ownership

Strategic growth

Business development

Customer engagement

Defence sector

Education

Engineering/Technology/Business degree

Postgraduate or executive leadership qualifications

Job description

Location: UK (Hybrid)

Lead the Future of Marine Engineering & Defence Innovation

Expleo is seeking an exceptional business leader to join our UK Executive Leadership Team as Vice President - Marine.

Reporting to the UK Managing Director, you will have full accountability for the strategic direction, growth, profitability and operational performance of our Marine sector. You'll lead a high-performing engineering and technology business delivering services across some of the UK's most complex marine and defence programmes.

Built on established strengths in Mechanical, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, you'll accelerate growth across Software Engineering, Cyber Security and Digital Engineering, helping shape the future of maritime and defence delivery.

This is a rare opportunity to influence strategy, drive investment decisions, strengthen customer partnerships and develop future capabilities within one of the UK's most strategically important sectors. Candidates must hold, or be eligible to obtain, SC Clearance.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Strategic Leadership

• Define and deliver the Marine sector growth strategy and long‑term business plan
• Contribute to Expleo UK's wider strategy as a member of the Executive Leadership Team
• Identify market opportunities, emerging technologies and growth areas
• Drive the evolution of the business towards higher‑value engineering, digital and technology services

Commercial & Growth

• Own revenue, profitability, order intake and overall business performance
• Hold full P&L accountability
• Develop and strengthen executive‑level customer relationships
• Lead major pursuits, bids, framework opportunities and commercial negotiations
• Expand Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Cyber Security and Digital Engineering capabilities

Operational & People Leadership

• Lead delivery performance across programmes and customer accounts
• Drive operational excellence, governance and continuous improvement
• Build and develop a high‑performing leadership team
• Shape workforce strategy, capability development and succession planning
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and innovation

Governance & Risk

• Ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual and governance requirements
• Maintain effective risk management across the business
• Champion integrity, safety and responsible leadership

About You

• Executive‑level leadership experience as a VP, Business Unit Director, Sector Director or similar
• Proven success leading engineering, technology, consulting or professional services businesses
• A strong track record of delivering growth, profitability and market expansion
• Full P&L ownership experience
• Expertise in business development, strategic bids and customer engagement
• Experience driving organisational transformation and capability growth
• A background within Defence, Marine, Aerospace, Energy, Government or similarly regulated sectors

Desirable Experience

• Marine, Maritime, Naval or Defence leadership experience
• Knowledge of Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Cyber Security or Digital Engineering
• Experience with digital transformation, autonomous systems or advanced technologies
• Exposure to acquisitions, partnerships or market expansion strategies
• Board‑level, executive or government stakeholder engagement

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Technology, Business or a related field
• Postgraduate or executive leadership qualifications desirable
• Professional accreditations advantageous
• Current SC clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain SC clearance

Why Join Expleo?

• Executive Leadership Team position
• Strategic ownership of a key growth sector
• Full responsibility for growth, profitability and business performance
• Opportunity to shape future capability investment and market direction
• Work with leading defence, marine and government organisations
• Drive innovation across engineering, digital and technology services