Business Development Manager - Defence

We are seeking a highly motivated Business Development Manager with a focus on the defence sector. This role is critical for driving our growth strategy within the defence industry, expanding our client base, and fostering long-term relationships with key stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of the defence landscape including MoD and industry primes, with a desire to transfer this knowledge into a business development role. Excellent communication skills, strong networking, stakeholder management, and a passion for innovation are essential.

What You'll Do (Duties):

1. Implement Defence Sector Growth Strategies: Execute comprehensive business development plans with the Market Development Team to achieve growth targets within the defence sector.
2. Client Acquisition: Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including lead generation, prospecting, and closing deals in the defence industry.
3. Opportunity Focus: Target low-value opportunities (
4. Supporting Programme Delivery: Support the acquisition of industry partners from the Commercial Team network.
5. Relationship Management: Build and maintain relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders in defence.
6. Account Development: Support the growth of commercial accounts where appropriate.
7. Collaboration: Work with Leadership, Markets, Sales Enablement, and Place Teams to align efforts.
8. High-Value Opportunities: Identify and develop high-value opportunities with the Commercial Team.
9. Pitching: Prepare and deliver pitches for Digital Catapult offerings.
10. Performance Tracking: Monitor and report on activities, metrics, and outcomes.

What We're Looking For (Experience):

• Significant experience in the defence sector, within the MOD or industry primes.
• Ability to transfer defence knowledge into a business development context.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking with tactical execution, pipeline building, and sales closing.
• Established network within defence, especially MoD and primes.
• Self-confident, driven, results-oriented, able to work independently, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Application Deadline: Friday 11th July

Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

We value diversity and aim to reflect UK society. We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates, minority groups, and those with varying experience levels, provided they demonstrate the requisite skills. As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants meeting minimum criteria. Please discuss any adjustments needed for the interview process.

Digital Catapult is an equal opportunities employer.

• Recognized as one of the UK's Top 100 Best Workplaces and in Tech & Large Organisations categories.
• Disability Confident Level 1 Employer.
• Benefits include 25 days holiday, bank holidays, holiday between Christmas and New Year, pension, health plans, cycle schemes, discounts, life insurance, wellbeing support, enhanced parental leave, hybrid work, learning and development, social events, and more.

We foster a vibrant culture where all voices are heard, with employee-led affinity groups, ongoing education on diversity, and social activities throughout the year.