Business Development Director - Aerospace/Defence

Region/country: United Kingdom

Job title: Business Team Lead – Aero & Defence / Industries

Reporting to: Head of Business

Location: London/ Bristol/ Scotland

Company

Akkodis is a global leader in engineering, technology, and R&D, harnessing the power of connected data to drive digital transformation and innovation for a smarter, more sustainable future. As part of the Adecco Group, Akkodis combines the expertise of AKKA and Modis, with over 50,000 engineers and digital specialists across 30 countries in North America, EMEA, and APAC. Our teams bring extensive cross-sector knowledge in critical technology areas such as mobility, software services, robotics, simulations, cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics, enabling clients to tackle complex challenges in today’s rapidly evolving markets.

With a comprehensive solution portfolio across four service lines—Consulting, Solutions, Talents, and Academy—Akkodis supports clients from concept through to full-scale deployment and optimisation. Our diverse offerings help organisations rethink product development, accelerate productivity, reduce time-to-market, and prepare for the future. At Akkodis, you’ll join a dynamic environment that values continuous learning and global collaboration, where you can make a meaningful impact through innovative projects that shape the future of technology.

Scope

At Akkodis, Business Team Leads (BTLs) are responsible for driving commercial performance, team leadership, and strategic growth within Aerospace & Defence.

The BTL owns team-level P&L, leads annual planning, and builds a scalable, high-performing function through effective recruitment and workforce planning. Acting as the key interface between clients, engineering delivery, and internal leadership, they ensure solutions are commercially sound, deliverable, and aligned to client needs.

Balancing hands-on business development with leadership oversight, the BTL plays an active role in SLT/ELT engagement, performance reviews, and strategic decision-making, contributing to the wider success of the business.

Role

As a Business Team Lead – Aerospace & Defence, you will lead a team of Business Managers focused on delivering engineering services across domains such as systems engineering, mechanical design, avionics, safety, and mission-critical programmes.

You will be responsible for driving revenue growth, improving margin performance, and expanding Akkodis’ footprint across key Aerospace & Defence clients. A core focus of the role is evolving engagements from contingent labour (T&M) to higher-value engineering solutions including work packages, statement of work (SoW), and managed service models.

You will play a critical role in bridging engineering capability with commercial opportunity, ensuring that solutions are technically robust, commercially viable, and aligned with client objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Business Managers, driving a high-performance, accountable, and commercially focused culture.
• Own and manage team-level P&L, with accountability for revenue growth, margin improvement, cost control, and overall financial performance.
• Build and execute annual business plans and strategy for the Aerospace & Defence segment, aligned to wider business unit objectives.
• Drive new business and account expansion through proactive, insight-led engagement and strong market positioning.
• Build and maintain senior client relationships across engineering, programme, procurement, and executive stakeholders.
• Identify, shape, and close engineering-led opportunities including SoW, work packages, and managed service solutions.
• Lead and oversee pipeline management and forecasting, ensuring accuracy and visibility across short-, mid-, and long-term opportunities.
• Define and implement pricing strategies and cost models, ensuring margin integrity and commercial sustainability.
• Take ownership of team hiring strategy and workforce planning, partnering with Talent Acquisition to recruit Business Managers and support scaling of the business.
• Ensure alignment between sales demand and engineering delivery capacity, supporting effective mobilisation and utilisation.
• Oversee and coordinate high-quality responses to RFIs, RFPs, and technical bids, ensuring strong commercial and delivery alignment.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering Operations to shape solution design, validate delivery approaches, and ensure technical credibility.
• Drive the transition from contingent labour models (T&M) to higher-value engineering solutions (SoW, managed services, outcome-based delivery).
• Monitor and report on business performance, including revenue, margin, headcount, client satisfaction, and risk.
• Prepare and deliver regular performance updates, strategic reviews, and growth plans to SLT and ELT stakeholders.
• Contribute to executive-level presentations, business reviews, and investment cases, influencing decision-making at senior levels.
• Conduct market, competitor, and capability analysis to inform strategy and identify growth opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to commercial governance, compliance, and Akkodis standards across all engagements.
• Foster cross-collaboration with other business units to maximise client value and leverage wider Akkodis capabilities.

Required Experience

• Proven experience in a commercial leadership role within Aerospace & Defence, Engineering Services, or Technical Consulting.
• Demonstrated ownership of P&L, revenue growth, and margin performance at team or business area level.
• Experience developing and executing annual business plans and growth strategies.
• Track record of winning and scaling engineering-led solutions, including SoW, work packages, or managed services.
• Experience leading, coaching, and growing high-performing commercial teams.
• Strong background in client engagement at senior level, including engineering, procurement, and executive stakeholders.
• Experience in workforce planning and hiring strategy, partnering with Talent Acquisition to scale teams.
• Proven involvement in bid management (RFI/RFP) and complex sales cycles.
• Experience operating in a matrix environment, collaborating across delivery, operations, and recruitment functions.
• Exposure to Aerospace & Defence programme environments, including regulatory, safety, and security considerations.

Required Skills

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including P&L management, forecasting, and pricing strategy.
• Leadership capability with the ability to build, scale, and develop high-performing teams.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate business plans into measurable outcomes.
• Advanced consultative sales skills, with the ability to shape engineering solutions around client needs.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including engagement with SLT/ELT and client executives.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with experience delivering business performance updates and strategic plans.
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrix organisation, driving collaboration across multiple functions.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple accounts, priorities, and performance metrics.
• Results-driven mindset with a focus on growth, margin optimisation, and operational excellence.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management, or a related technical or commercial discipline, OR equivalent professional experience in Aerospace & Defence or Engineering Services.
• Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MBA, MSc Engineering Management) or professional certifications in leadership, project/programme management, or commercial/financial management are advantageous.
• Formal training in P&L management, strategic planning, or business leadership is a plus.