About this role
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0px"><strong><span style="color:#0070c0">Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.</span></strong></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0px">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, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.</span></span></p><div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Job Summary</H2> </div><div><p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">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.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">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. </span></p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">What You'll Be Doing</H2> </div><div><p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Business Development & Market Growth</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Develop and execute strategic business development plans.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Monitor defence budgets, procurement pipelines, and MOD priorities.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Opportunity, Capture & Bid Leaderhsip</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Lead capture activities for strategic opportunities.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Work closely with bid teams to support proposal development.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Conduct competitor analysis and positioning strategies.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Maintain robust CRM pipeline management and reporting.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Stakeholder & Relationship Management</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Build and maintain strong working relationships with:</span> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">UK MOD stakeholders</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Prime contractors</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Industry partners and subcontractors</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Represent the company at industry events, defence exhibitions (e.g. DSEI), and networking forums.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Manage key accounts and develop long-term customer engagement strategies.</span></li> </ul></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Continued</H2> </div><div><p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Strategic Partnerships & B2B Engagement</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Identify and establish partnerships, joint ventures, and teaming agreements.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Negotiate collaboration agreements.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Enhance company visibility and positioning.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Market Intelligence & Positioning </span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Analyse market trends, competitor activity, and emerging technologies.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Provide insights into customer needs, procurement trends, and policy changes.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Feed intelligence into product development, strategy, and leadership decision-making.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Governance & Compliance</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Ensure all activities align with UK MOD procurement regulations and ethical standards.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Support compliance with export controls, ITAR (if applicable), and security requirements.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Maintain awareness of evolving policies such as the Strategic Defence Review, Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) and the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.</span></li> </ul></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">What You'll Bring</H2> </div><div><p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Essential</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Proven experience (typically 5–10+ years) in business development, sales, or capture management within: </span> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Defence</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Aerospace</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Government sectors</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Demonstrated success in winning UK MOD or government contracts.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Strong understanding of MOD procurement processes, including frameworks and competitive tendering.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Experience working with or alongside major defence primes and supply chains.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Track record of leading or contributing to successful bids and capture campaigns.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Desirable</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Experience within specific capability areas such as:</span> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Aerospace systems and platforms</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Defence digital / cyber</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Engineering services or logistics support</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Experience in international defence markets (NATO, allied nations).</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Familiarity with frameworks such as ITAR, MTCR, UK MOD Procurement and Single Source Regulations.</span></li> </ul></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">What We'll Offer</H2> </div><div><div id="18__sectionList"> <div id="18_60869545" tabindex="0"> <div id="28_"> <div id="28__section"> <div id="28__section_desc" tabindex="0"> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:</span></p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc" type="disc"> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Competitive salary and remuneration package dependent on experience.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">22.5% company bonus based on personal and business performance.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">£5,500 annual car allowance.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Industry Leading Pension Scheme = 1.5x employee contributions (max 12%)</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Life Assurance 8 x salary.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">25 days holiday + bank holidays.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Flexible working hours.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Income protection.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Shopping discounts.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Cycle To Work Scheme.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Employee Assistance Programme.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">A collaborative, dynamic working environment.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where your career journey may take you!</span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="28__bottomIndicator"></div> </div> </div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0px">We’ll 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?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0px"><strong><span style="color:#0070c0">A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working</span></strong></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0px">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 we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s 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.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0px">We’re 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.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.</span> </span><br></p> <p><img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" src="https://app.papirfly.com/original/gallery/38932/files/original/987ee258-6736-49d7-9079-7b5e993917a6.jpg?cacheVersion=1761223513" alt="" width="" height=""></p>