Business Development Lead Defence

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe.

Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems.

Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

We are seeking an experienced business development professional to drive growth within the defence market, identifying, shaping and securing opportunities across government, military and prime contractor customers. The successful candidate will combine commercial acumen, strategic thinking and customer engagement expertise with the ability to articulate complex technical and engineering solutions aligned to operational requirements.

Working closely with engineering, programme, commercial and bid teams, you will lead capture activities from opportunity identification through to contract award, developing winning strategies and fostering long-term customer relationships. You will ensure solutions are competitive, compliant and mission-focused, contributing directly to business growth and the delivery of critical defence capabilities. This role is based in Fareham, with hybrid working arrangements available, and will include occasional travel.

Willingness to learn and understand product portfolio

Communication and Presentation Skills

Risk Management capability

An ability to understand engineering products and translate them into customer value

Experience of working with a CRM system

Strong negotiation skills.

Relationship management – internal and external

Strong understanding of Defence procurement

Stakeholder and Relationship management

Contractual awareness

Experience within ROV , Subsea offshore energy or Defence Market

Product knowledge of Seaeye ROV’s

Extensive network within the within energy and or defence markets

Experience with working or understanding of work-class ROV systems

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.