Holt Executive Ltd
Business Development Manager - Defence

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Business Development Manager – Defence & Data Security
Location: Remote – UK
Sector: Defence | Cyber Security | Secure Communications | Data Security
About the Company
Our client is a global technology organisation delivering secure communications, connectivity and data security solutions to governments, defence organisations and critical infrastructure customers worldwide. As part of continued growth across the UK defence market, they are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to develop new opportunities across Defence and Government, with a particular focus on Data-at-Rest (DaR) security solutions.
This is an opportunity to join a highly specialised team supporting some of the UK's most sensitive and critical defence missions.
The Role
As Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for identifying, developing and securing new business opportunities across the UK Defence and Government sectors. You will use your existing relationships, defence network and understanding of digital technology to identify customer requirements, understand capability gaps and position secure Data-at-Rest solutions against current and future programmes.
The role will also involve supporting international opportunities across Five Eyes and NATO markets, working closely with internal sales, product and technical teams.
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Key Responsibilities
- Identify UK and international Five Eyes and NATO programmes of record relevant to Data-at-Rest security.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships across UK Government, Defence and military end-user communities.
- Identify new business opportunities and develop a strong qualified sales pipeline.
- Understand customer missions, challenges and capability gaps and translate these into commercial opportunities.
- Develop and execute targeted business development campaigns to increase adoption of Data-at-Rest solutions.
- Identify opportunities to integrate Data-at-Rest capabilities across the wider technology portfolio.
- Develop strategic relationships with partners, primes and government/defence organisations.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and emerging customer requirements.
- Work collaboratively with international teams to support overseas sales opportunities.
- Partner with sales, product, technical and business functions to develop and close opportunities.
- Maintain accurate pipeline, forecasting and CRM information.
- Take ownership of agreed pipeline, sales and revenue targets.
Key Experience Required
The successful candidate will have a strong background in UK Defence, Government or national security, with proven experience developing and securing technology-led business.


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You will ideally bring:
- Previous experience working with military end users, preferably within information, digital technology, cyber security or secure communications.
- Proven experience developing new business and delivering sales growth within Defence or Government.
- Strong existing relationships across the UK Defence and Government ecosystem.
- Experience identifying and developing opportunities from early-stage requirements through to contract award.
- Strong understanding of defence procurement, programmes and the wider UK defence technology landscape.
- Experience working with CRM systems, ideally Salesforce, with 5+ years' experience.
- Excellent strategic research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to build influential relationships at senior levels across customers, partners and internal teams.
- Experience working across international defence markets, particularly Five Eyes and NATO, would be advantageous.
- Work alongside experienced teams across defence, technology, sales and product development.
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