Commercial Department Manager (Defence Sector)
Full Time
Flare Bright is a fast-growing software company specialising in Flight Safety and GPS-free Navigation Systems for the Aerospace, Defence, and Urban Air Mobility sectors. With a team of around 30 professionals, we operate from Oxford/Bicester and White City, London. Our culture is professional, flexible, and inclusive, offering excellent benefits and a proven track record of success. This is a rare opportunity to join an expanding, cutting-edge team.
The Role
Join us at an exciting time of rapid expansion of our Commercial operations. We are seeking a dynamic Commercial Manager to lead our commercial team within the thriving Defence sector and expansion into the Commercial market. This is a unique opportunity to not only grow and shape the team but also to play a pivotal role in strategically positioning it for long‑term, scalable success.
Reporting directly to the CEO and collaborating closely with our executive and management team, you will be instrumental in driving our commercial strategy and capitalising on upcoming projects. We need a leader who can maintain the highest levels of professionalism and reliability, while also embracing the challenge of building and scaling a high‑performing team.
Key Responsibilities
Build and mentor a small but high‑performing commercial team, fostering a culture of ownership to help team members reach their full potential.
Implement commercial strategies to penetrate target markets and identify new business opportunities aligned with Flare Bright’s business plan.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with key primes, the MOD, and other government departments, while ensuring compliance with defence industry regulations.
Lead the sales process from initial contact to closure, including leading contract negotiations with customers and suppliers to secure mutually beneficial agreements.
Lead the coordination and development of compelling bids to ensure timely proposal submissions.
Implement and refine agile methodologies to boost team efficiency and allocate resources effectively.
Oversee sales budgets and forecasts, manage performance against targets, and leverage CRM data to track key performance indicators.
Work closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure internal alignment, providing market feedback to directly influence product roadmaps.
Oversee the development of engaging marketing materials and represent Flare Bright at domestic and international industry events.
Skills and Experience
You must be highly organised, reliable and process‑oriented with excellent written and spoken English and clear communications.
You must be strongly computer literate particularly with documents, spreadsheets, presentations, CRM tools and cloud drives.
You must have experience in a similar position in the aerospace and/or defence industries.
You must have excellent organisational skills, be reliable and have project/time‑management skills including use of the necessary tools.
It is a strong advantage to be good at networking and have the ability to sell our technology, products and services.
A STEM or business‑related degree is a strong advantage but not essential.
Must not be subject to restrictions under any non‑UK export laws (such as US ITAR)
Requirements:
You must be comfortable working within the defence industry. A Baseline Personnel Security Standard check will be undertaken before an offer is made, and you must be willing and eligible for (or already have) at least UK SC clearance. References will be checked.
Location:
Hybrid working could be considered, but you will generally work in our Head Office in Westcott Venture Park (15 minutes drive from Bicester or Aylesbury, 30 minute drive NE of Oxford) or White City, London.
This is not a purely remote position.
Why Join Us?
Be part of a rapidly growing company at the forefront of cutting‑edge technology in the defence sector.
Enjoy a flexible, professional, and inclusive work culture.
Work with a talented team shaping the future of Autonomous Aviation, Machine Learning & Digital Twin technology.
Competitive pro rata salary and benefits including; 33 days annual holiday (pro rata), Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plan, Cycle to Work Scheme, Company Discounts and Rewards, Technology Salary Sacrifice Scheme, Pension Salary Sacrifice Scheme, Company Paid Flu Jabs, Gym Discounts, Enhanced Maternity Leave, Company Paid Sick Leave, Paid Jury Service, support for Continuous Professional Development.
We work in defence as well as commercial and ‘blue light’ sectors, so you must be comfortable working within the defence industry, and be eligible to work in the UK. We have a preference for those who will be able to work on sensitive defence projects due to nationality (typically UK, NATO or Five Eyes). Due to the security classification on the work we do, we will undertake a routine Baseline Personnel Security Standard check on the successful applicant. This is a standard process which includes references and career history checks.
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