Head of Commercial

Aerospace & Defence Technology | Head of Commercial | Westcott Venture Park / Oxfordshire | £90k-£100k

About the Company

:
Our client is a rapidly growing software company based near Oxford and Bicester, with an additional office in White City, London. They are leaders in developing Machine Learning and Digital Twin software for the Aerospace, Defence and Urban Air Mobility sector

s.
The company works at the forefront of advanced flight safety, GPS-free navigation and defence technology, supporting customers operating in complex, mission-critical environmen

ts.
With a team of around 30 professionals, the business has built a strong track record of success and offers a professional, flexible and inclusive working culture. As the company continues to scale, they are now looking to appoint a senior commercial hire to help shape and drive the next phase of gro

wth.
About the

Role:
They are seeking a commercially driven Head of Commercial to lead and develop the company’s commercial function across business development, product sales, defence contracts, marketing, PR, commercial strategy and proposal develo

pment.
This is a senior, hands-on role suited to someone with experience selling technical products or services into defence, aerospace, government or similarly complex B2B markets. The successful candidate will help build a more structured sales engine, lead customer and partner conversations, support contract negotiations and strengthen the company’s approach to defence s

elling.
This role would suit an experienced Business Development Manager, Commercial Lead, Head of Business Development or Commercial Manager looking to step into a broader leadership role, with scope to grow into a wider CCO-style remit ov

er time.
Responsi

• bilities:
  Lead and develop the company’s commercial function across business development, product sales, marketing, PR, proposals and commercial
• strategy.Build and manage a structured sales engine for defence and aerospace customers, from market mapping and opportunity identification through to proposal submission and contract ne
• gotiation.Identify, qualify and pursue new commercial opportunities across defence, aerospace, government and related technica
• l markets.Lead strategic conversations with prospective customers, partners and stakeholders, translating technical capabilities into clear commerc
• ial value.Develop and manage relationships with defence customers, government stakeholders, industry partners and strategic
• accounts.Support the full bid and proposal lifecycle, including opportunity qualification, bid strategy, proposal writing, pricing input, internal coordination and final s
• ubmission.Review, negotiate and support commercial documentation, contracts and customer a
• greements.Work closely with the CEO, Commercial Manager and wider leadership team to define commercial priorities, target markets and go-to-market
• strategy.Oversee and support the commercial team, helping to create focus, accountability and consistency across business development
• activity.Contribute to marketing and PR strategy, ensuring commercial messaging, customer materials, events and external positioning support the company’s growth o
• bjectives.Represent the company externally at customer meetings, industry events, conferences and defence/aerospace sector en
• gagements.Bring structure to pipeline management, sales reporting, opportunity tracking and commercial decisi

on-making.
Re

• quirements:
  Significant experience in business development, commercial leadership, product sales, strategic sales or commercial
• management.Strong experience selling into defence, aerospace, government, national security, engineering, software, advanced technology or similarly complex
• B2B markets.Proven ability to build and manage commercial pipelines, qualify opportunities and convert strategic relationships i
• nto revenue.Experience with defence contracts, government procurement, proposals, bids or complex technical s
• ales cycles.Strong understanding of how to sell technical products or services to customers with complex requirements and long decision-ma
• king cycles.Confident leading strategic commercial conversations with senior customers, partners and internal s
• takeholders.Strong proposal writing, presentation and written communica
• tion skills.Experience negotiating contracts and reviewing commercial do
• cumentation.Ability to work closely with technical teams and translate complex technology into clear, persuasive commercia
• l messaging.Experience managing, mentoring or coordinating commercial, BD, sales, marketing or pro
• posal teams.Commercially strategic but still hands-on, with the ability to both define the plan and execute
• the detail.Strong organisational skills, with the ability to bring structure, focus and accountability to commerci
• al activity.Comfortable working in a growing business where processes are still being built
• and refined.Must be comfortable working within the defen
• ce industry.Must be willing and eligible for, or already hold, UK security clearance. A Baseline Personnel Security Standard check will be undertaken before an of

fer is made.
Compensation

• and benefits:
  Competitive salary
• of £90k-£100k.Senior commercial leadership role within a growing aerospace and defence techn
• ology company.Opportunity to build and shape the commercial function, with ownership across business development, defence sales, proposals, marketing, PR and commer
• cial strategy.Direct exposure to the CEO, senior leadership team, customers, partners and defence-sector
• stakeholders.Clear opportunity to grow into a broader commercial leadership re
• mit over time.Professional, flexible and inclusive company culture, with a strong benefits package and support for continuous professiona

l development.