Vice President Business Development, Defence
Vice President Business Development, Defence
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Job Description
Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.
GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry were inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. Were proud to play a part in protecting the worlds democracies. And were committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the worlds aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of 3.35 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job Summary
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS - MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2025
This is a pivotal role to lead business development in the UK. The main focus is to position and win new defence programmes with key primes. This leadership role will sustain and grow GKNs position in the UK through a network of senior contacts in the government and MoD and by promoting GKNs national competency and capability to win contracts for future defence aerospace capability procured by the UK and partners.
Key to success are positive existing relationships with OEMs and senior members (decision makers) in the Government and MoD including key stakeholders that will support GKNs success.
As the VP UK BD the candidate will be responsible for developing and leading strategic campaigns that would create opportunities for other GKN sites in Europe. This will require intrinsic knowledge of NATO EU and national future equipment programmes in line with increased defence spending ambitions. The role will be supported by the BD team within GKN Defence.
Job Responsibilities
Reporting to the VP Strategy and Business Development the role responsibilities are:
- Develop and nurture close customer relationships ensuring GKN is positioned at the forefront of new equipment programmes;
- Position GKN as the strategic supply chain partner for defence aerospace procurements by the UK MOD & international partners where applicable;
- Grow GKN business through industrial participation in strategical defence procurement programmes;
- Capitalise on the multi-technology and industrial footprint for near term capture;
- Responsible for top line growth in the UK and other markets where applicable through defined campaigns;
- Partner with directors to develop vision mission and strategy for the defence strategic campaigns & captures leading up to a RFP and contracts;
- Within the UK responsible for influencing and lobbying towards all relevant stakeholders for developing defence strategic campaigns;
- Collaborate with the relevant stakeholders on the formulation capture and development of strategic business development initiatives and priorities;
- Steers guides and inspires Strategy and Proposal team(s) to successfully conclude campaigns
Job Qualifications
Suitable applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- UK National with a minimum of UK SC Clearance;
- Established network of senior stakeholders in the UK defence industrial ecosystem;
- Existing network and high level contacts with relevant MoD and Government stakeholders/ decision makers;
- Tangible experience in developing campaigns and captures for new products especially uncrewed systems
- Tangible and relevant experience in business development and campaigning/capture knowledge within the UK Aerospace & Defense industry and market
- Relevant experience in business development and/or campaigning/capture knowledge within the Netherlands Aerospace & Defense industry and market;
- Recent experience with defence OEMs;
- Relevant experience in working with global teams and campaigns.
Well offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry who knows how far you can go
A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working
Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles weve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. Its a culture that won us The Best Workplace Culture Award. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.
Were also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.
We arethe place where human dreams plus humanendeavour shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.
Required Experience:
Exec
Employment Type
Full Time
