Defence jobs in United Kingdom

Department: Business Development

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bristol

Sagentia Defence provides science and technology consultancy expertise to help solve the most complex challenges faced by mission‑critical defence programmes.

We work in partnership with national government bodies, international institutions and global prime contractors on developing and leveraging next‑generation technologies, enterprise transformation, feasibility analysis, system engineering, and programme delivery across S&T, Maritime, Air, Land, Joint, and defence digital projects – (you can read more on our website: Expert insights).

Sagentia Defence has an enviable legacy of supporting autonomy programmes, helping accelerate innovation in uncrewed systems.

From concept analysis and feasibility studies to safety accreditation, regulatory advice and prototyping – we provide independent, agile, and technically robust solutions aligned with Defence’s strategy.

We have SQEP staff from industry, government, and the armed forces, offering unmatched insight, pace, and flexibility—enabling our customers to deliver mission‑ready capabilities faster.

As part of our growth plans, we are looking for a talented, ambitious and self‑motivated Business Developer with a proven track record in winning and delivering work in UK Defence consulting. The successful candidate will lead our UxV campaign, leveraging our capabilities and experience in UxVs.

This is a great opportunity for the right individual who will be the focal point for our business growth in the UxV market space and the primary contact internally and externally for our business and growth.

Sagentia is a leading global regulatory, science and technology consultancy. It excels in research & development, safety and regulatory services, and technical programme delivery. The business has five practices operating internationally across the highly regulated markets of aviation, medical, defence, consumer, food and beverage, and industrial.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the development and execution of strategic business development to secure new projects for our core capability/consulting teams.
• Represent Sagentia Defence in the market and be the principal point of contact for all client enquiries/issues, establishing productive strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Secure enduring commercial relationships with target customers that deliver revenue and growth opportunities to the business.
• Develop compelling proposals, presentations, and bid submissions that address client needs and showcase our capabilities.

• Demonstrable experience in a business development role (ie business development / sales / capability deployment) in UK Defence Consulting – preferably in the UxV area.
• Confident and credible presenting to and influencing senior leadership in Sagentia Defence's customers.
• Understands Sagentia Defence's capability offering, UK Defence consulting landscape with a deep understanding of Sagentia Defence's customers and their pain points.
• Strategic thinker, proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive business development plans.
• Experience coordinating resource in a matrix structure, including senior technical staff.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Strategy development and deployment with respect to long term performance in a UK defence consultancy context.
• Bidding for UK defence consultancy projects into frameworks, consulting consortia and/or industry clients.
• Commercial (Contract Law) acumen, good commercial acumen to understand company drivers and secure profitable work packages.
• Degree qualified or calibre, ideally in a related discipline.
• Relevant professional qualifications for your area of expertise.
• Relevant software capability to manage work deliverables.

At Sagentia Defence, we believe in rewarding our people and supporting their wellbeing. Alongside our competitive salaries we offer a comprehensive benefits package including Company Profit Share Scheme, Generous Holiday Allowance with the ability to buy and sell holiday, Employee Assistance Programme, 24 Hour access to GP and Mental Health support along with access to hundreds of high street discounts, private healthcare provided by Bupa and more. As a consultancy our people are our biggest asset, and we aim to nurture and develop our staff to achieve their full potential.