Business Development Manager - Maritime & Defence

Business Development Manager - Maritime & Defence
Location: Portland, Dorset
Sector: Maritime & Defence
Salary: Up to 60,000 Plus Commission and Benefits

Holt Engineering is recruiting for an experienced Business Development Manager to join a growing organisation operating at the forefront of the defence, maritime and deployable infrastructure sectors.

This is a strategic role focused on developing and expanding business opportunities across the UK defence and maritime markets. You'll be responsible for identifying, qualifying and progressing opportunities from initial market engagement through to capture and proposal handover, helping to shape long-term growth within a highly specialised environment.

This opportunity would suit individuals with experience in defence, maritime, engineering, infrastructure, military support services or complex programme delivery environments who enjoy building relationships, influencing stakeholders and developing winning growth strategies.

Key responsibilities:

• Developing and executing business development strategies across defence and maritime sectors
• Identifying and qualifying new business opportunities aligned with organisational capabilities
• Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, customers, partners and industry influencers
• Monitoring market trends, procurement pipelines, funding programmes and competitor activity
• Leading early-stage opportunity development and positioning activities ahead of formal procurement
• Managing and forecasting a robust new business pipeline
• Supporting capture planning, bid strategy development and proposal activities
• Identifying and developing strategic partnerships, supply chain relationships and teaming opportunities
• Representing the business at industry events, exhibitions and networking forums
• Collaborating closely with operational, commercial, engineering and leadership teams to support business growth

We're particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have experience within:

• Defence
• Maritime
• Naval Programmes
• Infrastructure
• Engineering Services
• Complex Project Delivery
• Government Frameworks
• Strategic Business Development
• Capture Management
• Programme Management

The successful candidate will possess strong stakeholder management skills, commercial awareness and the ability to engage confidently with senior decision-makers across government, defence and industry.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary from 60,000+
• Performance-related bonus
• Hybrid working
• 25 days annual leave
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Pension Scheme
• Electric Vehicle and eBike salary sacrifice schemes
• Ongoing professional development opportunities

This is an excellent opportunity to join an organisation delivering complex projects in support of critical infrastructure, defence and maritime operations, while playing a key role in shaping future growth.