Business Development Manager - Defence - Identify Solutions : Job Details

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to join a defence and technology testing company who specialise in creating advanced testing solutions for critical electronic and software systems used in industries like aerospace, defence and transportation. They sell hardware, software and services to ensure the safety, reliability and performance of complex technologies. Their clients include governments, military organisations and companies operating in high-risk and high-reliability sectors.

You will be reporting to the MD who is very hands on with sales, and working alongside another BDM and a Sales Administrator. Their expertise is very much in the aerospace sector though, so they are looking for somebody who can lead their growth efforts in the UK defence sector.

You would therefore require a deep understanding of the defence sector, a proven track record in business development and the ability to build strong and lasting relationships with new and existing customers, typically prime and tier one contractors.

They have a handful of existing defence customers that would need to be developed from day one, and your initial performance expectations would be to grow these accounts. They wouldn't expect any new business revenue within the first 6 months.

They have an identified list of prospective accounts, however this role is largely autonomous, and you will have freedom to develop existing customers and to explore new opportunities.

The ideal candidate would have proven experience selling services (not products) into the defence space, and is used to a consultative sales approach selling bespoke solutions.

You would need to be hungry, resilient and understand the matter of urgency. They want somebody who isn't afraid of the phone, and is comfortable pushing through a number of contact attempts until they get in front of the right person.

You would need to hold enough technical knowledge to carry high level technical conversations, however they have best in class Engineers who are on hand to manage the more in depth talks.

You would need to have a strategic mindset and always be thinking about how to grow existing accounts.

This role will likely turn into a Team Lead/Head of in the near future, so they are looking for somebody with the ambition to build a team underneath them.

This is a great opportunity to join a company who are best in class in their sector, where you will be involved in varied projects and work alongside unrivalled Engineering teams with international presence.

Their HO is in Bournemouth and they would like somebody to attend the office once a week if possible. They have sister offices in France and Germany who you will work really closely with and probably travel their 3-4 times a year.

You will be reporting directly to the MD who is very supportive and knowledgeable. He is looking for somebody who he can trust to manage this role by themselves though; no micro management.

Salary is circa 65k (could be negotiable for the right person) with a company car/allowance, plus a 25% bonus, which continues to grow the more your overachieve your target.

Benefits include private healthcare, 8% company pension contribution, Friday afternoons off and more.

They are a List X facility and you must be able to meet the criteria for SC clearance