Business Development Manager – Defence

Leidos

Business Development Manager at Leidos driving growth in UK Defence sector. Leading strategic BD activities and maintaining relationships with key clients in government and Defence.

Posted 4/17/2026full-timeFarnborough • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSenior💰 £75,800 - £99,800 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Plan and lead Business Development (BD) activities that will contribute to our annual award targets in this strategic and fast-growing area of the UK business.
Responsible for the development and management of a pipeline of opportunities to support the next 2-5 years business growth ambition, aligned to the UK strategy.
Develop and maintain senior relationships with Defence clients positioning Leidos as a potential strategic supplier.
Guide the Leidos bid teams in their pursuit and shaping of the business development campaign to propose differentiated client propositions.
Identify and qualify the opportunities that best match Leidos strengths and provide optimum outcomes for the client and us.
Lead and execute significant new business campaigns in the UK Defence market.
Operate effectively within a multi-functional team where you will be an effective leader and communicator.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Substantial experience of successfully selling into the UK Defence market.
Existing client relationships in the UK MOD.
A track record of successfully driving business growth year on year and hitting targets.
Demonstrable experience of success in leading and winning contracts valued more than £25m.
Extensive knowledge of Government business development, contract awards, current procurement trends and customer buying behaviours.
Experience of winning work on frameworks and then scaling the size of follow-on awards in those areas.
Proven experience of collaboratively creating compelling winning bids with partners.
Excellent inter-personal, presentation and verbal skills and an experienced negotiator.
Tenacity and energy to maintain the momentum of multiple and concurrent pursuits.
A track record of Client and Industry stakeholder engagement and relationship development.
Expertise in motivating and mentoring agile teams to grow and change the business.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Contributory Pension Scheme
Private Medical Insurance
33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
Access to Flexible benefits (including life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy and sell holidays and a cycle to work scheme)
Flexi-Time

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

business developmentpipeline managementcontract negotiationbid managementclient relationship managementgovernment procurementcontract awardsframeworksbusiness growth strategywinning bids

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationinterpersonal skillspresentation skillsnegotiationtenacityenergycollaborationmentoringstakeholder engagement