Senior Business Development Manager
Civil Nuclear & Defence Sectors (UK)
Location: UK‑wide (flexible / hybrid with travel)
Contract: Permanent
Sector: Engineering, Infrastructure, Nuclear & Defence
The Opportunity
An established UK engineering and maintenance organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Business Development Manager to drive growth across the Civil Nuclear and Defence sectors. This is a senior, strategic role focused on securing major programmes, frameworks and long‑term client relationships within highly regulated environments.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping market strategy, leading high‑value pursuits and working closely with executive, commercial and operational teams to convert opportunities into sustainable revenue.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Growth & Market Development
- Develop and deliver business development strategies for UK Civil Nuclear and Defence markets
- Identify emerging trends, client needs and future investment programmes
- Lead capture planning and bid strategy for major infrastructure frameworks and long‑term programmes
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain senior relationships with government bodies, Tier 1 contractors and key delivery partners
- Represent the business at industry events, forums and client meetings
Opportunity & Bid Leadership
- Lead qualification, pursuit and conversion of high‑value opportunities
- Shape compelling value propositions with engineering, operational and commercial teams
- Oversee preparation of proposals, presentations and commercial submissions
Collaboration & Leadership
- Work with senior leadership to align market activity with wider business objectives
- Develop partnerships, alliances and consortiums for major frameworks
- Enable cross‑selling and collaboration across internal business units
Reporting & Forecasting
- Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and forecast
- Provide regular updates on progress, risks and market intelligence
- Ensure governance, CRM accuracy and compliance with internal procedures
Experience & Background
Essential
- Proven business development experience within UK Civil Nuclear and/or Defence sectors
- Track record of winning complex, multi‑stakeholder bids and frameworks
- Strong network across regulators, public sector clients, and industry partners
- Excellent commercial judgement, negotiation and influencing skills
- Comfortable operating independently within a matrixed organisation
Desirable
- Knowledge of nuclear decommissioning, new build or defence infrastructure programmes
- Familiarity with public‑sector and defence frameworks (e.g. NDA, MOD, DIO, CCS)
- Degree‑level qualification in engineering, business or a related discipline
Personal Attributes
- Strategic, resilient and outcomes‑focused
- Confident communicator at senior stakeholder level
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across disciplines
- Proactive and adaptable in complex, regulated environments
Why Apply?
- Senior, high‑impact role in nationally significant infrastructure programmes
- Opportunity to influence long‑term strategy and major framework wins
- Flexible working arrangement with UK‑wide remit
- Competitive salary and benefits package
Apply:
If you are a senior business development professional with experience in Civil Nuclear or Defence and are looking for a strategically influential role, we would welcome your application.
