Head of Customer - Defence

• Lead Vertical Aerospace's defence sales activity, building and executing a commercial strategy focused on UK, European, NATO and allied nation opportunities.
• Secure government support and funding to advance our hybrid aircraft roadmap, including opportunities linked to defence innovation programmes and operational demonstration activity.
• Build and maintain senior relationships across ministries of defence, armed forces, procurement bodies, innovation organisations and defence stakeholders.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, procurement, programme, strategy and leadership teams to support bids, proposals and externally funded opportunities.

This role helps pioneer electric aviation by securing defence partnerships and funding that advance Vertical Aerospace's hybrid aircraft roadmap, contributing to the development of 'zero emissions' aircraft that will set new safety standards for aviation.

• Strong leadership experience in defence sales, business development or strategic partnerships, with a track record of winning and shaping complex opportunities.
• Proven experience selling into or working with UK MOD, European defence organisations, NATO-aligned customers or allied government stakeholders.
• A well-established professional network and the credibility to open doors, build trust and navigate defence buying environments at senior levels.
• Commercial acumen combined with the ability to translate customer and market needs into clear product and business recommendations.

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday
• 5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)
• 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership
• Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits
• Award-winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand)
• Company performance based bonus - rewarding company and individual performance
• Company Share Scheme - open to every Vertical employee
• Company Pension Scheme - 5% and we match it
• Breakfast on us, every day

Vertical Aerospace is pioneering electric aviation with their eVTOL (electric, vertical, take-off and landing) 'zero emissions' aircraft called Valo, aiming to set new safety standards for aviation and redefine aerospace best practices.