Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager – Defence & Specialist Vehicles

West Midlands | Competitive Salary + Bonus + Car Allowance

A growing UK engineering manufacturer is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to support the continued expansion of its Defence division.

The business supplies highly engineered products into demanding mission-critical applications and has established relationships across international defence programmes. As part of its growth strategy, the company is investing further in its commercial capability to strengthen existing customer relationships and secure new programme opportunities globally.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, you will be responsible for developing and executing business development activities across defence and specialist vehicle markets.

The position combines strategic account management, new business acquisition and programme capture activities, with responsibility for supporting and developing one direct report within the commercial team.

This is a highly visible role with significant autonomy and regular engagement with customers across Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, develop and secure new business opportunities across defence markets
• Build relationships with OEMs, system integrators, prime contractors and key stakeholders
• Manage and grow existing strategic accounts
• Support programme capture activities from early engagement through to contract award
• Work closely with engineering and technical teams to develop customer-focused solutions
• Lead commercial negotiations and long-term supply discussions
• Represent the business at customer meetings, industry events and international exhibitions
• Support and mentor one direct report within the commercial team
• Maintain a robust pipeline capable of delivering long-term revenue growth

About You:

• Experience in business development, technical sales or key account management
• Background within defence, aerospace, military vehicles, automotive or other complex engineering sectors
• Comfortable operating within long sales-cycle, programme-led environments
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
• Able to engage effectively with both technical and commercial audiences
• Motivated by winning new business while developing long-term customer partnerships

What's On Offer:

• Competitive salary
• Performance-related bonus
• Car allowance
• Pension and benefits package
• International travel
• High level of autonomy and responsibility
• Opportunity to influence the growth of a strategically important business area
• This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious commercial professional looking to play a key role in the growth of a respected engineering business operating within the global defence market.