Air Business Director

Location:

Reading, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 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.

Location:

Green Park (with UK and International Travel)

Closing date for applications:
Friday 13th November 2026

At Thales, we're delivering technologies that help our customers make the world safer, more secure and more sustainable. As we continue to grow our Air portfolio within Optronics & Missile Electronics (OME), we are looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Air Sector Business Director.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a strategically significant business area encompassing cutting-edge technologies across missile electronics, air defensive aids, reconnaissance and surveillance systems, and advanced navigation capabilities. You'll shape the future direction of a diverse portfolio, lead major international programmes, and build enduring relationships with some of the world's leading defence organisations.

As Air Sector Business Director, you'll have full accountability for a substantial and growing portfolio spanning development, production and support programmes across the UK and international markets.

Working as a key member of the OME Leadership Team, you'll lead business performance, programme delivery, customer engagement and growth strategy, ensuring we continue to deliver innovative solutions to our customers whilst achieving ambitious commercial objectives.

This role offers significant influence across strategy, investment decisions, customer partnerships and business growth, with responsibility for teams operating across multiple UK locations and international partnerships.

• Leading the overall performance of the Air Sector business, delivering against strategic, operational and financial objectives.
• Driving sustainable growth through business development, capture activities and successful bid delivery.
• Ensuring successful execution of a diverse portfolio of programmes, from research and development through to production and in-service support.
• Building and maintaining executive-level relationships with customers, industry partners and key suppliers.
• Shaping future business strategy, product roadmaps and investment priorities.
• Delivering ambitious order intake, revenue, profitability and cash targets.
• Leading organisational development and fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture.
• Driving innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement across the sector.
• Working closely with Sales, Strategy, Engineering and Operations teams to identify and secure future opportunities.

The Air Sector spans four highly capable product lines:

• Missile Electronics
• Air Defensive Aids Systems
• Air Reconnaissance & Surveillance
• Air Attack & Navigation Systems

The portfolio includes major UK and international programmes supporting customers across defence, aerospace and government sectors, with activities ranging from advanced sensor development and electronic systems through to production and lifecycle support.

We're seeking an accomplished business leader with the commercial, operational and strategic capability to lead a complex, high-value portfolio.

• Significant senior leadership experience within the defence, aerospace or advanced technology…