Senior Business Development Manager - Defence

Senior Business Development Manager - Defence

MFK Recruitment is proud to be working with a long-standing and highly successful client in the Defence AI sector.

We have recruited for this business for 5 years, placing 4 people with them, and all 4 are still with the company.

Our client is a rapidly growing AI and Machine Learning company, specialising in the research, development and deployment of advanced technology into Defence, security, intelligence and adjacent sectors. Their team includes highly experienced software developers, data scientists, Machine Learning specialists and researchers, with strong academic, research and Defence backgrounds.

They are now looking for a Senior Business Development Manager in Defence to join their senior team and help drive their next phase of growth.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Defence business development professional to join an innovative, mission-focused business working at the cutting edge of AI, Machine Learning and advanced technology deployment.

The role

The Senior Business Development Manager will work closely with the CEO and senior management team to identify, develop and secure new commercial opportunities across UK Defence, defence primes, industry partners and allied defence markets.

This is a senior, strategic and hands-on role. You will be responsible for building relationships, developing routes to market, strengthening the company’s commercial pipeline and winning valuable Defence contracts.

The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the company’s growth strategy, increasing market presence and supporting the development of new partnerships across the Defence and technology ecosystem.

Key responsibilities

As the Senior Business Development Manager, you will:

* Identify, develop and close new commercial opportunities across UK Defence and related markets

* Build and maintain strong relationships with MOD, defence primes, industry partners and key decision makers

* Develop a strong sales pipeline and convert opportunities into commercial contracts

* Use your Defence sector knowledge to identify future opportunities, customer needs and competitor activity

* Establish new routes to market and engage with senior stakeholders and Defence influencers

* Raise the company’s profile through networking, events, meetings and strategic introductions

* Develop collaborations with UK and international Defence partners

* Work closely with the CEO and senior management team to refine the business development and sales strategy

* Support proposal writing, market research, briefings and commercial planning

* Showcase the company’s AI and Machine Learning capability to customers and partners

* Provide commercial insight to help shape future technology offerings

* Represent the business at customer meetings, supplier meetings and industry events

Skills and experience required

The successful Senior Business Development Manager will need:

* A strong and proven track record of business development within the Defence sector

* Deep understanding of UK MOD, defence prime procurement and Defence commercial processes

* A strong network across UK MOD, defence primes and related Defence organisations

* Experience identifying and winning commercial opportunities in Defence

* Strong commercial awareness, ideally within advanced technology, AI, Machine Learning, software, data or innovation-led environments

* The ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and long sales cycles

* Confidence working directly with senior decision makers, customers and partners

* Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills

* A proactive, tenacious and target-driven approach

* The ability to work effectively in a fast-moving SME environment

* A strong interest in technology and its application within Defence and industry

* Existing UK security clearance, or the ability to obtain security clearance

Desirable experience

The following would be beneficial:

* Experience selling AI, Machine Learning, software, data or advanced technology into Defence

* A background in Defence, the military or a defence prime

* Experience working with MOD, Dstl, defence primes,…