Capture Director

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, 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 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of 3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary GKN Aerospace is seeking a highly experienced Capture Director to lead the strategy, capture and delivery transition of major opportunities across the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and related advanced defence programmes.

This role will drive the pursuit of funding, investment, technology development and long-term production workshare opportunities, ensuring GKN secures and delivers strategic positions that strengthen UK sovereign capability and advanced manufacturing leadership.

Working closely with government, industry partners and international stakeholders, you will lead complex capture campaigns from opportunity qualification through contract award and into programme mobilisation.

This is a remote role, with a reporting line to our Bristol Global Technology Centre. The role comes with regular national and international travel to customer, partner and GKN Aerospace sites.

What You'll Be Doing Capture Strategy & Leadership Develop and execute capture strategies and campaign plans to secure GCAP and Advanced Programmes workshare, investment and partnerships.

Lead opportunities from qualification through contract award, monitoring performance and reporting progress to senior stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management Engage key stakeholders to influence funding, investment and industrial strategies.

Represent GKN Aerospace at customer, industry and government forums.

Bid & Capture Execution Lead cross-functional teams to develop winning business cases, bids and proposals.

Drive competitive positioning, pricing strategy and solution development.

Manage capture budgets, risks, governance and compliance requirements.

Programme Transition & Oversight Lead the transition of awarded opportunities into programme execution.

Establish delivery governance and provide strategic oversight to ensure successful outcomes.

What You'll Bring Skills & Experience Proven track record leading complex capture campaigns within the defence or aerospace sector.

Experience securing and delivering large-scale technology development, manufacturing or industrialisation programmes.

Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills within multinational and government environments.

Ability to lead high-performing cross-functional teams and align diverse stakeholders around strategic objectives.

Broad understanding of business development, commercial management, programme delivery, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Experience with in aerostructures, transparencies, advanced manufacturing and defence aerospace technologies is highly desirable.

Eligible to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC).Qualifications Degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Manufacturing or a related discipline.

Business, commercial or programme management qualification desirable.

Professional programme management certification (e.g. IPMA, APM, PMI) desirable.

What We'll Offer Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

Competitive salary and remuneration package dependent on experience.
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