Business Development Director

Salary: Up to £140k plus benefits

We are SEA.

Engineered to protect. We protect what matters – our nations, our waters, our land, our cities, our people, our environment, our world.

Join us.

Are you looking for a Business Development Director role where you can fundamentally shape the strategy, direction, and growth of a successful business? SEA is an independent, agile, and responsive international business undergoing significant strategic growth and is seeking an experienced BD Director, with a proven track-record in UK & international maritime defence. If you have the experience, tenacity, and energy to play a pivotal role in the leadership of a dynamic business, we would be interested to hear from you.

What are we looking for?

The BD Director is accountable for SEA’s order intake achievement, qualifying winnable pursuits and developing a pipeline of opportunities across the defence market. The BD Director has a fundamental role in helping to shape the strategy, direction, and overall company success. You will lead a team of Business Development professionals whilst also being accountable for our Marketing and Business Winning functions.

The Business Development Director is a member of the Senior Leadership team and reports directly to the Managing Director.

Responsibilities

· To be an effective leader and communicator and manage, motivate, and develop your team in line with SEA Values, to ensure effective, efficient development of customer relationships and secure new business against agreed targets.

· Drive order-intake achievement, qualifying winnable pursuits, and developing a robust order-intake pipeline, to meet SEA’s business goals & strategic aspirations.

· Lead and execute new business capture campaigns in the defence market.

· Developing and maintaining a strategic perspective on Business Development and National Security and Defence.

· Maintain and develop senior stakeholder relationships with customer decision-makers, partners and market influencers to increase SEA’s market presence, brand awareness and knowledge of forthcoming business opportunities.

· Maintain effective rolling three-year market analysis in chosen segments, indicating likely aggregate-level market demand, timing and values of core SEA products and solutions.

· Participate in speaking engagements, briefings, and thought leadership activities representing SEA.

· Contribute to the development of an effective company strategy, required solution roadmaps and to ensure that SEA achieves its short and long-term objectives.

· Maintain effective relationships with other directors to ensure effective co-ordination of all company activities in support of SEA objectives.

· Promoting acquisition targets and participating in acquisitions where applicable.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

· A degree or equivalent and relevant professional qualifications

· Extensive senior-level business development experience within the defence/security market, with a proven track-record in maritime defence and closing contracts in excess of £25m.

· Demonstrable experience of leading business development professionals and complex defence capture/bid teams.

· Experienced people manager, adept at developing, coaching, and motivating a team to success.

· Thorough understanding of Government and UK Ministry of Defence planning, procurement, and tendering.

· In-depth knowledge and experience of the international maritime defence market.

· Deep understanding and intimacy with capture / teaming with large Blue Chip and SME community.

· The ability to advise and influence senior management in relation to approaches and concepts on highly complex/sensitive/political issues relating to defence clients

· Tenacity and energy to maintain momentum and business velocity.

· Proven experience of working collaboratively and creating compelling winning bids.

Personal Characteristics

· A completer-finisher and deal-closer.

· An effective communicator at multiple organisational levels.

· Experience of dealing at senior level within customer organisations

· Energetic, passionate, and committed in supporting a dynamic business.

· Possesses excellent inter-personal and negotiating, organisational and decision making skills, who has an established network within the defence industry.

· Ability to work closely as part of a leadership team of a highly independent business.

· Willingness to be hands-on where required; not precious about personal role/status

What we offer

Your work, your contribution, deserves to be recognised and rewarded. Have a look at the benefits we offer:

Work life balance:

· Hybrid/flexible working arrangements

· 25 days’ annual leave, plus buy and sell

· Up to 16 days flexi leave accrual

· Half day Fridays

· Reservist in the armed forces receive special paid leave

Family & wellbeing:

· Private medical health insurance & Employee Assistance Program

· All Staff Bonus

· Group Pension Plan of up to 7% employer contribution

· Cycle to work scheme

· Wellbeing centre

· Sports & Social activities

· Employee Discounts portal – online and instore discounts, travel savings etc

· Canada Life GP and financial advice

· Life assurance policy

· Publication and recruitment bonus rewards

· Development opportunities, including LinkedIn learning

Facilities & resources:

· Electric vehicle charging points at all sites

· Private seated lunch areas

· Onsite bistro (Barnstaple office) and free hot and cold beverages

· Onsite showers and toiletries provision

· Free onsite parking