Business Area Director UK

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83000 employees on five continents. With over 7500 people in the UK operating across defence space aerospace and digital security we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Business Area Director UK

Location: Belfast (with responsibility for Thorney Island)

Business Unit: Integrated Airspace Protection Systems (IAS)

Were seeking an exceptional Business Area Director UK to lead the UK IAS portfolio build strategic customer relationships and drive profitable growth in defence and high-tech sectors. The director will collaborate with the UK MOD and internal stakeholders to deliver long-term value lead multidisciplinary teams and foster innovation and commercial success.

This position offers a significant opportunity to impact UK national defence by managing critical air defence products that protect all deployed UK air bases while contributing to a rapidly growing business with new product developments.

What youll be doing

• Lead the IAS UK portfolio overseeing programme delivery customer satisfaction and commercial performance.
• Drive business growth contributing to 2027 targets of 500m in orders and 200m in revenue.
• Translate customer vision into strategies that deliver sustainable profitable outcomes for IAS.
• Engage senior UK stakeholders across DE&S Front Line Commands DSTL and wider defence organisations.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams with endtoend accountability for orders sales EBIT and cash.
• Deliver complex bids and programmes using cuttingedge technologies and innovative approaches.
• Strengthen industry partnerships with suppliers partners and trade bodies.
• Ensure governance and compliance across bids projects ethics and conduct.
• Forecast and align resources with functional heads to ensure capability meets forward load.
• Create an environment for innovation where teams can develop and deliver breakthrough solutions.
• Contribute to IAS leadership as a key member of the IAS Executive Team and BL (Business Line) COMEX.

What youll bring

If you thrive in complex environments build trusted relationships and lead with clarity and purpose wed love to hear from you.

• Substantial experience leading largescale complex programmes in defence aerospace or hightechnology sectors
• Proven delivery of multimillion programmes or portfolios with accountability for financials performance and customer satisfaction
• Proven executivelevel relationship management and influencing skills
• Experience establishing governance frameworks managing risk and ensuring compliance
• Demonstrated ability to lead highperforming teams in matrix or multidisciplinary environments
• Strong commercial acumen with handson experience in contract management bidding and financial control
• Advanced programme management capability (PMI PRINCE2 or equivalent)
• Expertise in budgeting forecasting financial analysis and cost control
• Outstanding communication skills able to convey complex information and lead sensitive discussions
• Highly developed analytical and critical thinking skills with sound judgement under pressure

Why this role matters

The UK MOD landscape is complex fastmoving and technically demanding often leading our most advanced developments. Youll be at the centre of this environment shaping strategy enabling innovation and ensuring our teams deliver solutions that meet the UKs most critical needs.

This is a role for a leader who can navigate complexity adapt to change inspire confidence and build the future of IAS UK.

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held however if not currently held it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo achieve and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.

To be eligible for full SC you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 some circumstances a minimum of 3 years residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: date for applications is Thursday 3rd September.

First stage assessments are planned to take place w/c 14th September.

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At Thales we ensure equal opportunities pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance buying or selling annual leave cycle to work schemes employee discounts paid volunteering day stocks and shares annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes employee networks wellbeing policies and inclusive features here.

If this role isnt quite right for you we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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