Business Development Director

Job Title: Business Development Director - Maritime & Naval Sector

Location: Lichfield (Domestic and international travel up to 50%)

Salary: £DOE + Package

Key Skills: Business Development, Maritime, Navy, Royal Navy, Marine, MoD, Naval, Strategy, Relationship Building, Proposals, Government, Strategy, Influence

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Business Development Director to join a maritime organisation, focusing on business growth across the global maritime and naval markets. This key role involves shaping and driving business development strategy, managing critical customer relationships (including MOD, NCHQ, DE&S/SDA/DNO), and leading successful campaign captures and bid efforts for complex maritime systems.

Key Responsibilities for the Business Development Director:

• Business Growth Leadership:
  Lead the identification, qualification, and pursuit of maritime opportunities, ensuring alignment with company objectives for order intake, revenue, and profitability.
• Customer & Stakeholder Management:
  Maintain and enhance strategic relationships with key stakeholders across the defence maritime community, including Royal Navy, government agencies, and prime contractors.
• Intelligence & Capture Planning:
  Gather and analyse market intelligence within the CRM and develop actionable business development (BD) and capture plans that address market and customer needs.
• Strategic Direction:
  Provide customer-focused insights to the Senior Director of Business Development, CTO, and Director of Technical Proposal Strategy to inform future technology and product development in the maritime domain.
• Bid & Capture Process:
  Collaborate with bid teams to influence bid/no-bid decisions and contribute to Gates 1-3 review processes, ensuring rigorous pursuit of viable opportunities.
• Strategic Planning:
  Contribute to annual and multi-year strategic planning cycles, with a focus on positioning our maritime technologies in line with evolving naval requirements.
• Maritime Events & Branding:
  Manage participation in trade shows, naval symposiums, and industry events. Oversee branding, marketing materials, product literature, and external communications, ensuring alignment with maritime sector messaging.
• CRM & Reporting:
  Maintain accurate sales pipeline data in CRM systems (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics) and contribute to monthly sales funnel and forecast reports for senior leadership.
• Cross-functional Support:
  Provide sales and marketing support to technical and engineering teams where required to drive customer engagement and technical bid success.
• Leadership Backup:
  Act as deputy to the Senior Director of Business Development during absences.

Qualifications & Skills:

Essential:

• Degree in Engineering or a relevant technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Substantial business development experience within the defence maritime sector.
• Demonstrated experience managing technical proposals and customer relationships in a complex, regulated environment.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally (up to 50% of the time).

Desirable:

• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics or equivalent CRM systems.
• In-depth understanding of the Royal Navy, MOD procurement processes, and key organisations such as NCHQ, DE&S, SDA, and DNO.
• Proven ability to communicate complex maritime technologies and systems to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in Signature Management, Naval Power Systems, or other advanced naval platforms.
• Strong track record of successful maritime bid management through to contract award.
• Exceptional written skills for technical proposals and reports.
• Flexible and adaptive to working outside standard business hours, including across time zones when needed.
• Demonstrated success in marketing defence systems to government agencies and maritime primes.
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and technology partners across the naval supply chain.

My client is keen to get this position filled ASAP, so if you feel you have the skills and desire to provide passion and drive as the next Business Development Director, this is the opportunity for you!

Perks and Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: Attractive compensation package based on experience and expertise.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and retirement plans to support your well-being.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
• Cutting-Edge Projects: Engage in groundbreaking engineering projects that impact the industry.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside industry experts in a dynamic and innovative setting.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Security Clearance (SC) or eligibility to gain is required to be considered for this vacancy

Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business.
We will contact you within the next 14 days if you are selected for interview. For a copy of our privacy policy please visit our website.