Global Head of Partnerships - Aero and Defence
In support of a UK and Germany based manufacturing Group focused on the manufacture and supply of components and added value within the aerospace and defence sectors in the UK and globally, we are seeking a NEW Global Head of Partnerships to further grow strategically aligned sales.
With an existing and proven working awareness of the aerospace and defence sectors, this role will support a highly motivated professional who brings experience and leadership to the role as well as a strategic and positive approach.
This role requires a transparent and direct level of sales management and business development engagement to expand sales from current clients, as well as target new long-term relationships. Specifically, and in line with the recent UK defence spend increase announcement combined with existing and future aircraft programme visibility, this role is to strategically grow sales. The defence sector therefore remains core.
Key accountabilities:
- Own the end-to-end sales cycle from prospecting to contract close across UK and European markets
- Further grow existing customer partnerships, while developing and executing strategies for net-new revenue
- Engage directly with senior procurement, programme, and executive stakeholders at primes and government entities
- Drive forward deals aligned to strategic platforms (e.g., F-35, GCAP, and others), ensuring mutual value creation - with OE and sub-tier organisations
- Championing differentiators in compliance, delivery, digitisation, and quality
- Provide commercial input to bid and pricing strategies in collaboration with CEO and Finance
- Represent at major defence and aerospace exhibitions, industry events, and trade bodies
- Develop an active pipeline with clear prioritisation and accountability for progress
- Lead on deal diligence, qualification, and closure, including coordination of legal, technical, and operational inputs
- Feed market insights, customer requirements, and competitor intelligence into our business and technological roadmap
- Uphold the Company's mission and values as a non-negotiable standard in all external engagements
To support this role, candidates will need to have detailed and qualified experience of managing existing core clients and delivering new sales across the defence and aerospace sectors. Suitably qualified and have an experience range which supports their understanding of the products, manufacturing environment and culture, the Global Head of Partnerships will be commercially focused and the character and style of the candidate will need to complement the challenges of the role and an ability to engage with personnel at all levels across the organisation.
Hybrid based in the UK but with close contact across the Group in the UK and in Germany, this role is not to 'manage the sales and internal commercial process.' However, it will need to support accurate customer engagement, new programme growth identification, successful bid/tender activities as well as commercial negotiation. The role will need to contribute toward successful new business project and programme introduction.
Primarily, suitable candidates will need to have proven relating contacts and direct sector/supply chain exposure and be eligible for any potential SC requirements in the UK.
Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included
