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Business Development Manager
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About the Organisation:
Our client is an established, high-technology electronics and engineering business headquartered in Oxfordshire, operating across commercial, government, and defence markets. The organisation designs, manufactures, and delivers advanced RF over fibre (RFoF) and microwave photonic systems for applications including satellite ground stations, broadcast infrastructure, secure communications, and defence platforms.
With a workforce of approximately 80 and a dedicated engineering team of 30, the business has achieved consistent and strong financial growth in recent years — generating revenues of circa £19m in 2024, up from £11m in 2022. As part of a larger, well-capitalised parent group, the organisation benefits from increased investment and expanded market access whilst retaining operational autonomy, agility, and an entrepreneurial culture. The company holds Gold Investors in People accreditation and is certified to ISO 9001.
Role Overview:
This is a commercially focused, technically informed sales role for a candidate who can engage credibly with engineers and procurement teams across the satellite, broadcast, defence, and telecommunications sectors. The Business Development Manager will take ownership of a defined regional territory spanning selected countries across the UK, Northern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Working alongside three other Business Development Managers — independently covering Asia, wider EMEA, and the USA — the successful candidate will be responsible for deepening existing customer relationships and converting new business opportunities. ViaLite currently generates approximately £8 million in annual revenue; this role is expected to contribute an additional £1–2 million in new sales. Territory and accounts can be tailored to leverage the candidate's existing network.
Key Responsibilities:
Sales Activities
- Meet and exceed monthly and annual sales and revenue targets
- Develop and maintain a strong opportunity pipeline to deliver sustainable growth
- Attend regular customer sales meetings, support exhibitions and trade shows
- Cultivate strong customer relationships and become a trusted technical advisor
- Manage, motivate, and train an assigned distributor and advisor network to achieve sales goals
- Prepare design proposals, quotes, and bids for large tenders
- Monitor and update the business on market status and competitor activity
- Adopt and maintain a structured approach to the formal sales process
- Arrange and manage demonstration products for customer evaluations
- Prepare and present monthly sales activity reports and forecasts
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General Activities
- Engage with the engineering department to identify new solution proposals for ViaLite and PPM Test portfolios
- Support the marketing department with relevant content to aid promotion and advertising
- Assist with development of the technical knowledge base
- Support customer support and finance departments with post-sale activities
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Proven track record in technical sales or business development within RF, fibre optic, or adjacent electronics markets
- Strong sales and negotiation skills, applicable to all stages of the sales process
- Experience managing international accounts or distributor networks across EMEA or similar territories
- Ability to communicate credibly with both technical and commercial stakeholders at all levels
- Proficient in CRM systems and structured pipeline management
- Degree-level qualification, or equivalent experience, in Electronic Engineering, Physics, or a relevant technical discipline
Desirable Skills and Experience:
- Experience in satellite communications, broadcast, military communications, or GPS infrastructure
- Familiarity with RF over fibre, microwave photonics, or DWDM link systems
- Knowledge of satcom teleport, VSAT, or satellite ground station environments
- Experience supporting or preparing technical tender submissions
- Existing network of contacts within the space, defence, or broadcast sectors
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Person Specification:
Commercial drive is essential; however, the organisation places equal emphasis on technical credibility and professional mindset. The successful candidate will demonstrate a self-motivated, customer-focused approach, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build lasting relationships in technically demanding markets. Candidates from RF, photonics, or adjacent electronics backgrounds who bring a consultative sales style and genuine curiosity about the products they represent are particularly welcome.
Key Behaviours:
- Creativity & innovation – possessing a passion for driving continuous improvement
- Keeping commitments – demonstrating a can-do attitude and focus in driving tasks to completion
- Collaboration & communication – developing relationships built on trust, respect, and shared success
- Impact & influence – listening to different perspectives to evaluate, shape, or persuade
- Teaching & sharing – sharing your knowledge whilst also learning from others in the business
- Company focus – putting the organisation before the individual to achieve collective goals
Remuneration and Benefits:
- Highly competitive base salary
- Company commission scheme
- Access to the Share Incentive Plan
- Defined contribution pension plan
- Periphery benefits depending on region
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must hold a minimum of five years of continuous residency in the United Kingdom and are ideally required to be a UK Sole National. This is a condition of employment due to the nature of the work undertaken by the organisation.
This appointment is being managed exclusively by a specialist recruitment consultancy on behalf of the client organisation. Interested candidates are invited to apply via LinkedIn or to contact the recruiting consultant directly for a confidential discussion.
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