VP Business Development EWIS

GKN Aerospace; Papendrecht; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme PME

Bonus scheme

Company car

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

GKN Aerospace seeks a strategic, commercially driven VP Business Development – EWIS to shape and accelerate growth in the EWIS business. The role defines and executes a global commercial strategy focused on defence programs and emerging aerospace markets, aligning EWIS with divisional BD structures and driving account penetration.

You will lead cross-functional teams, engage OEMs and defence customers at executive level, and build a robust BI/MI framework to inform decisions and prioritise

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (or related field).
• 15–20 years of experience in aerospace, EWIS, avionics, or complex systems.
• Proven track record in business development and capture leadership.

Responsibilities

• Define and own EWIS commercial strategy across global markets, with emphasis on defence and non-traditional markets.
• Lead negotiations for complex, multi-national and long-term contracts; drive capture strategies for new platforms.
• Build and lead a high-performing BD organisation across global defence and emerging markets.
• Embed EWIS within divisional business development structures and ensure alignment with engineering and operations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

BD leadership

Data-driven mindset

Education

Aerospace Engineering degree

Tools

BI tools

MI tools

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a strategic and commercially driven leader to shape and accelerate the growth of our Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) business. In this senior role, you will define and execute a global commercial strategy with a strong focus on defence programs and emerging aerospace markets. You will operate at the intersection of technology, strategy, and customer engagement—driving growth through insight, innovation, and execution.

Overall accountability for the strategy to achieve above market growth and managing all aspects of the customer relationship, this includes but is not limited to delivering goods and services to the customer, achieving the financial returns required by the company and developing the people and processes necessary to be successful. The role is accountable for creating a great place to work.

As Vice President Business Development – EWIS, you hold full accountability for defining and executing the commercial strategy. Your primary focus is on defence programmes and emerging markets, including UAS, space, eVTOL, and special mission aircraft. You translate strategy into clear, regionally executable plans and identify new growth opportunities beyond traditional aerospace markets. At the same time, you ensure EWIS is firmly embedded within the divisional business development structure, while actively driving account penetration and value creation.

Job Responsibilities

The following aspects are within your scope:

Commercial Strategy

You will lead the global commercial direction for EWIS and translate strategy into actionable growth plans:

• Define and own the EWIS commercial strategy, with emphasis on defence and non-traditional markets (UAS, space, eVTOL, special missions)
• Identify white spaces and disruptive entry points beyond traditional aerospace customers
• Develop and drive the commercial roadmap and account penetration strategy
• Embed EWIS within divisional business development structures

Customer & Program Leadership

You will act as a senior interface for key stakeholders and lead strategic capture initiatives:

• Engage with OEMs, Ministries of Defence, and Tier-1 partners at executive level
• Lead negotiations for complex, multi-national and long-term contracts
• Drive capture strategies for new platforms, retrofits, and digital EWIS programs
• Leverage relationships to unlock strategic opportunities

Business & Market Intelligence

You will ensure data-driven decision-making across the commercial organization:

• Own Business Intelligence (BI) and Market Intelligence (MI) capabilities
• Translate insights on defence budgets, competitors, and technology trends into action
• Support investment decisions and strategic prioritisation

Proposals, Pricing & Value Proposition

You will elevate commercial excellence and value-based positioning:

• Oversee bid strategy, governance, and pricing frameworks
• Implement robust costing models (make/buy, lifecycle, risk/margin)
• Define compelling value propositions (safety, weight optimisation, lifecycle cost, digital EWIS)

Business Development Leadership

You will build and lead a high-performing BD organisation:

• Guide BD Directors across global defence and emerging markets
• Drive program shaping, early customer engagement, and partnership ecosystems
• Foster strong collaboration with engineering and operations teams

Cross-Functional Leadership

You will ensure alignment and execution across the organisation:

• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance
• Champion the voice of the customer in EWIS strategy and roadmap
• Build organisational capability, accountability, and succession

Job Qualifications

You bring a rare combination of technical depth, commercial acumen, and leadership credibility:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (or Electrical/Systems Engineering with aerospace focus)
• 15–20 years of experience in aerospace, preferably in EWIS, avionics, or complex systems
• Proven track record in business development and capture leadership
• Strong credibility with OEMs and defence customers
• Data-driven, strategic, and customer-focused mindset

Leadership Characteristics

• Product-driven: passionate about EWIS as a safety-critical, differentiating system
• Strategic and decisive: able to think long-term and execute pragmatically
• Data-led: using BI/MI insights as core leadership tools
• Influential: credible from boardroom to engineering floor
• Resilient and ethical: comfortable navigating complexity, compliance, and ambiguity

What we\'ll offer

• An excellent pension scheme (PME)
• Competitive Bonus Scheme(s)
• Company car
• A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers
• Learning and development opportunities to support your career progression