Head of Business Development and Sales

Head of Business Development and Sales (REQ_33970) Fareham, England

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 500 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

The Role:

This role is part of our Saab UK Business Development and Sales Team deployed into our Saab Seaeye (Under Water Robotics) business.

As Head of Business Development and Sales, you will lead strategic planning and execution to drive business growth, identify new opportunities, build partnerships, and manage a team to achieve revenue goals. The Head of BD & Sales will understand, articulate and shape the future of Subsea Robotics and enjoy partnering with customers across different markets, including Offshore Energy and Defence.

Additionally, you will have line management responsibilities of Saab Seaeye's Sales Managers (responsible for new equipment sales) and Customer Services Manager (responsible for after sales, spares and repairs).

Key Responsibilities:

1. Identify and generate new sales opportunities through targeted business development.
2. Establish formal sales plans and strategies.
3. Develop new and maintain existing customer relationships.
4. Respond to RFQ and assist in the generation of commercial/technical proposals.
5. Attend meetings with prospective customers for contract negotiations.
6. Carry out product and company presentations.
7. Manage a network of Distributors.
8. Work with other members of the sales team to support prospect qualification and creation of a suitable strategy and effective solution for custom proposals.
9. Make, develop and encourage technical/commercial suggestions or solutions that will enhance the overall competitiveness of company products.
10. Follow Saab Winning Business (WB) process encompassing CRM.
11. Participate in bid/contract review and approval in line with the Saab WB process.
12. Lead the contract handover process.
13. Support variation orders for existing contracts.
14. Provide competitor and market intelligence (CMI) in support of bids.
15. Maintain awareness of market trends, knowledge of the subsea robotic market, key market drivers and competitor position.
16. Represent the company at trade shows and industry events.

Qualifications and Experience:

1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
2. Experience in a similar Business Development/Technical Sales Role.
3. Experience with ROVs or other Subsea Robotics.
4. Strong leadership, management, and communication skills.
5. Ability to develop and execute strategic plans.
6. Strong understanding of business principles and market dynamics.
7. Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
8. Ability to identify and resolve complex business problems.
9. Strong negotiation and persuasion skills.
10. Ability to analyse data and identify trends.
11. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
12. Deep understanding of the industry and target markets.
13. Proven experience in business development, sales, or a related field.
14. Proven experience working on multi-engineering discipline systems (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic).
15. Ability to work unsupervised to tight timescales, taking high level direction and determining appropriate actions/activity.
16. Enthusiasm, drive and ambition.

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.