EJ820 - Defence Business Development Manager
Salary: £80k-£100k + Commission
Location: Winchester (Hybrid)
Overview:
First Military Recruitment are currently seeking a Defence Business Development Manager on behalf of one of our clients.
You will be responsible for building company presence in the UK and European defence sector, with a primary focus on securing product specifications on military vehicle platforms. The role is central to achieving the strategic objective of becoming a key partner to leading defence primes.
Our client encourages applications from ex-military personnel however all candidates will be given due consideration.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Map the defence vehicle landscape across the UK and Europe, identifying new programmes and business opportunities.
- Position the company as a preferred supplier within military vehicle supply chains.
- Build and maintain strong networks with defence primes and industry influencers.
- Develop trusted relationships with programme decision-makers, procurement leads and engineers.
- Drive pipeline growth by winning new specifications for company products.
- Support bid processes with technical and commercial input.
- Deliver revenue growth targets aligned with the defence strategy.
- Track defence budgets, procurement timelines and competitor activity.
- Provide regular pipeline updates, forecasts and account development reports to leadership.
- Represent the company at trade shows, industry events and customer meetings.
- Promote the company brand and build visibility in the defence community.
- UK-based, with significant travel across UK and Europe.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Significant experience in business development within the defence vehicle sector.
- Strong, active network within UK and European defence primes.
- Demonstrated success in influencing specifications and securing new programme wins.
- Ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders across technical and commercial functions.
- High level of commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Willingness to travel extensively.
- Winning mindset with strong initiative and drive.
- Professional credibility and integrity in a sensitive, regulated sector.
- Collaborative working style, able to partner with engineering, operations and leadership teams.
- Resilient, adaptable and motivated by challenging goals.
Desirable:
- Understanding of vehicle systems integration and supply chain complexities.
- Additional European language skills (e.g., German or French).
- Number of new vehicle programmes where products are specified.
- Annual growth in defence sector revenue.
- Achieving agreed activity targets.
- Quality and accuracy of pipeline reporting and forecasts.
- Depth and breadth of strategic relationships with defence primes.
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