Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Date: 26 May 2026

Location:Luton, GB Bristol, GB Birmingham, GB East Cowes, GB

Company: GKN Aerospace Careers

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

The Business Development Manager (BDM) will be responsible for driving growth within the defence and aerospace sector, with a strong focus on B2B engagement and UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and wider Government business capture. The role involves identifying and securing new opportunities, shaping bids, and building strategic relationships across industry partners, government stakeholders, and prime contractors.

This role can be worked on a remote first basis however there will be an expectation for regular travel to business meetings across our UK sites and corporate customer offices. The large part of your time will be spent travelling for meetings in Luton, Bristol and London. Some European travel will be expected as a part of this role.

What You'll Be Doing

Business Development & Market Growth

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities.
• Develop and execute strategic business development plans.
• Monitor defence budgets, procurement pipelines, and MOD priorities.

Opportunity, Capture & Bid Leaderhsip

• Lead capture activities for strategic opportunities.
• Work closely with bid teams to support proposal development.
• Conduct competitor analysis and positioning strategies.
• Maintain robust CRM pipeline management and reporting.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with:
  • UK MOD stakeholders
  • Prime contractors
  • Industry partners and subcontractors
• Represent the company at industry events, defence exhibitions (e.g. DSEI), and networking forums.
• Manage key accounts and develop long-term customer engagement strategies.

Continued

Strategic Partnerships & B2B Engagement

• Identify and establish partnerships, joint ventures, and teaming agreements.
• Negotiate collaboration agreements.
• Enhance company visibility and positioning.

Market Intelligence & Positioning

• Analyse market trends, competitor activity, and emerging technologies.
• Provide insights into customer needs, procurement trends, and policy changes.
• Feed intelligence into product development, strategy, and leadership decision-making.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all activities align with UK MOD procurement regulations and ethical standards.
• Support compliance with export controls, ITAR (if applicable), and security requirements.
• Maintain awareness of evolving policies such as the Strategic Defence Review, Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) and the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Proven experience (typically 5–10+ years) in business development, sales, or capture management within:
  • Defence
  • Aerospace
  • Government sectors
• Demonstrated success in winning UK MOD or government contracts.
• Strong understanding of MOD procurement processes, including frameworks and competitive tendering.
• Experience working with or alongside major defence primes and supply chains.
• Track record of leading or contributing to successful bids and capture campaigns.

Desirable

• Experience within specific capability areas such as:
  • Aerospace systems and platforms
  • Defence digital / cyber
  • ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)
  • Engineering services or logistics support
• Experience in international defence markets (NATO, allied nations).
• Familiarity with frameworks such as ITAR, MTCR, UK MOD Procurement and Single Source Regulations.

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary and remuneration package dependent on experience.
• 22.5% company bonus based on personal and business performance.
• £5,500 annual car allowance.
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = 1.5x employee contributions (max 12%)
• Life Assurance 8 x salary.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Flexible working hours.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle To Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where your career journey may take you!

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.​
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