Business Development Manager
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Job Summary
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
The Business Development Manager (BDM) will be responsible for driving growth within the defence and aerospace sector with a strong focus on B2B engagement and UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and wider Government business capture. The role involves identifying and securing new opportunities shaping bids and building strategic relationships across industry partners government stakeholders and prime contractors.
This role can be worked on a remote first basis however there will be an expectation for regular travel to business meetings across our UK sites and corporate customer offices. The large part of your time will be spent travelling for meetings in Luton Bristol and London. Some European travel will be expected as a part of this role.
What Youll Be Doing
Business Development & Market Growth
- Identify qualify and pursue new business opportunities.
- Develop and execute strategic business development plans.
- Monitor defence budgets procurement pipelines and MOD priorities.
Opportunity Capture & Bid Leaderhsip
- Lead capture activities for strategic opportunities.
- Work closely with bid teams to support proposal development.
- Conduct competitor analysis and positioning strategies.
- Maintain robust CRM pipeline management and reporting.
Stakeholder & Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with:
- UK MOD stakeholders
- Prime contractors
- Industry partners and subcontractors
- Represent the company at industry events defence exhibitions (e.g. DSEI) and networking forums.
- Manage key accounts and develop long-term customer engagement strategies.
Continued
Strategic Partnerships & B2B Engagement
- Identify and establish partnerships joint ventures and teaming agreements.
- Negotiate collaboration agreements.
- Enhance company visibility and positioning.
Market Intelligence & Positioning
- Analyse market trends competitor activity and emerging technologies.
- Provide insights into customer needs procurement trends and policy changes.
- Feed intelligence into product development strategy and leadership decision-making.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure all activities align with UK MOD procurement regulations and ethical standards.
- Support compliance with export controls ITAR (if applicable) and security requirements.
- Maintain awareness of evolving policies such as the Strategic Defence Review Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) and the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
What Youll Bring
Essential
- Proven experience (typically 510 years) in business development sales or capture management within:
- Defence
- Aerospace
- Government sectors
- Demonstrated success in winning UK MOD or government contracts.
- Strong understanding of MOD procurement processes including frameworks and competitive tendering.
- Experience working with or alongside major defence primes and supply chains.
- Track record of leading or contributing to successful bids and capture campaigns.
Desirable
- Experience within specific capability areas such as:
- Aerospace systems and platforms
- Defence digital / cyber
- ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance)
- Engineering services or logistics support
- Experience in international defence markets (NATO allied nations).
- Familiarity with frameworks such as ITAR MTCR UK MOD Procurement and Single Source Regulations.
What Well Offer
Once youre on board youll get the following perks and benefits:
- Competitive salary and remuneration package dependent on experience.
- 22.5% company bonus based on personal and business performance.
- 5500 annual car allowance.
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme 1.5x employee contributions (max 12%)
- Life Assurance 8 x salary.
- 25 days holiday bank holidays.
- Flexible working hours.
- Income protection.
- Shopping discounts.
- Cycle To Work Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
- A collaborative dynamic working environment.
As well as a competitive package well offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! Well support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. Thats the beauty of being part of a global business once youre on board you never know where your career journey may take you!
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:
Manager
About Company
GKN Aerospace is a global engineering group that make essential components for industries that touch lives across the globe
