Client Director - Business Development - Defence Sector

Serco

UAE

Ref: LP119-443

Job description / Role

Employment: Full Time

The Key purpose of this role is to:
• Support, shape, pursue and deliver profitable long term business opportunities in the defence sector, supported as required by regional and global sector subject matter experts, making sure we enhance Serco’s relationships with all stakeholders across all of his/her customer base and ultimately achieve and surpass assigned New Business revenue and profit targets.
• Support, shape and deliver, in collaboration with aviation contract managers, Serco’s business strategy and value proposition for the retention/growth of our existing and new defence contracts

Reason for role
The Serco Middle East business is seen as a growth engine for Serco Group. The Middle East strategy and organisational structure is aligned to a number of the five pillars established through the strategic review as core foundations for the growth of Serco.

The regional Defence spend is in excess of GBP100 Billion, of which a significant element in the provision of long-term support services that support the armed forces in carrying out their duties. The Client Director will work with the Business Development Director to build market facing relationships and identify / shape new growth opportunities that meet and/or exceed growth targets that are set by the division.

Key Accountabilities
• Develop, shape, pursue and deliver profitable business opportunities across the Defence sector;
• Account and relationship management with key clients including, but not limited to various elements of the armed forces, equipment manufacturers and government agencies;
• Accountable for achieving and surpassing assigned New Business revenue and profit targets;
• Manage the business life cycle process and the control of all documentation including Salesforce management;
• Manage Salesforce account management data and assist in the preparation of monthly sales reports;
• Responsible for developing and/or enhancing Serco’s relationships with high level and stakeholders across all related customer base;
• Fill the pipeline with qualified opportunities to achieve both the short, and long term company’s aspirational growth;
• Work closely with the bid engine to ensure a timely and quality submissions of all concerned bids;
• Develop and maintain account plans for all major customers;
• Contribute towards Serco-wide corporate governance/good practice development.
• Adopt a culture and way of working that embeds Serco’s Governing Principles and ensures that the way in which we treat our, people, customers and stakeholders adheres to our Code of Conduct;
• Understand local laws and government procurement process;
• Interface with the Sector Contract Directors to understand and help develop growth opportunities within existing contracts.
• Represent & promote Serco ME at regional Defence events as coordinated with the BDD & MD.

Strategy and Plans
• Play a significant role in the development of the Defence sector strategy;
• Work with the BD Director to develop, own and implement plans that will deliver business strategy to maximum effect;
• Work with Defence Sector experts and the bid team to develop winning value propositions.

Growth and Financials
• Collaborate with Serco’s support functions to ensure effective financial management is in place to achieve turnover, profit and cash targets and to meet legal requirements;
• Support the growth of all in region businesses by effective communication, teamwork and transfer of knowledge and capability;
• Work closely with the Business Development Director and the commercial team to close deals.

Customers and Markets
• Lead in the development of a network of relationships with key customers, potential customers, partners and stakeholders to anticipate and meet customer’s existing and future needs and enhance Serco’s reputation;
• Collaborate with the operating units to ensure the business delivers a level of service and added value that fosters the development of long-term partnering relationships;
• Ensure the optimisation and utilisation of all facilities and assets to deliver the best value to the customer;
• Work with colleagues to develop operational good practice, exploit potential synergies and economies of scale, and promote cross-selling opportunities.

Sector Relevant Competence
• Maintain a technical understanding of the Defence Sector including knowledge of new technologies and opportunities in the sector and where Serco may be able to gain a competitive advantage;
• Lead the development of the team’s technical competence, ensuring this is up to date and relevant to the current and prospective customers businesses.

Requirements

• Bachelor`s degree or another relevant discipline in a broad business discipline; eg. MBA

Essential technical and professional skills and knowledge
• Must have prior experience of working and living in GCC.
• Arabic language skills are highly desirable.
• Good understanding across all functions to ensure appropriate levels of performance and challenge.
• A pervasive knowledge of business organisations at strategic and operational levels.
• An understanding of the local business and cultural environment from stakeholder behaviour to current contract circumstances.
• Exemplary behaviour that is commensurate with the role of Client Director/ Business Development.
• Leadership and a convincing style to win.
• Cultural awareness within the local environment.
• Effective communicator and negotiator.
• Exposure to and interpretation of the financial management of complex organisations.
• Able to demonstrate competence in the productive use of resources to achieve end result within stiff constraints.
• Ability to see problems as opportunities and to manage well under pressure.
• Capacity to contribute to strategic business management issues.
• Ability to influence senior management, establish and maintain collaborative partnerships and provide thought leadership.
• A natural consultancy style that constructively challenges the business and builds relationships at all levels of the organisation.

Essential Experience
• Previous Military or Security Service experience is essential.
• Deep understanding of operations within the defence sector is essential.
• Demonstrated defence experience either in business development or operations with evidence of new business sales or contract growth.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and developing relationships with senior military leadership.
• A minimum 10 years’ experience in Business growth success and the bidding/tendering process in service contracts enabled by technologies.
• Understanding of service solutions in order to help develop propositions, in working with operations teams and other Serco Group expertise.
• Prior experience of working in a multi-national is preferred.
• Experience of shaping, developing and pursuing new business.

Additional dimensions, KPIs or special features of the role
• Creative, visionary, driven and results-oriented leader with strong business acumen to identify new profitable opportunities and make reasoned decisions in a dynamic business environment.
• Experience of interacting with high level influential stakeholders
• Achieving business agreed business targets

About the Company

Serco is a FTSE 250 international service company which combines commercial know-how with a deep public service ethos.

Serco customers are looking for expertise in managing their people, processes, technology and assets more effectively. We advise economic decision makers, design innovative solutions, integrate systems and - most of all - deliver quality services directly to the public.

Serco supplies to governments, government enterprise, agencies and companies who seek a trusted outsourcing partner with a solid track-record of service excellence. Serco people offer operational, logistical and technical expertise in the Transport, Justice and Immigration, Defence, Education and Healthcare industries as well as in the commercial sectors of Facilities Management.

Serco Middle East have been in the Region since 1947, starting out delivering Air Traffic Control Services in Bahrain; a service we are proudly still running today and have expanded to include many other Airports in the region.

We have expanded significantly since that time across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We have been supporting the RTA to operate the Dubai Metro since 2009, are preparing to launch the flagship Saudi Arabia Passenger Rail service from Riyadh to Qassim in 2016. We deliver Facility Management services to both Cleveland Clinic and Healthpoint Hospitals in Abu Dhabi, large-scale medical facilities in Saudi Arabia and a range of educational and commercial properties in the UAE. We also deliver postgraduate education to Officers in the Qatar Armed Forces through the Joaan Bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College in Doha.

Focusing on our core values, and creating a positive environment for employees to thrive, we look forward to a bright future as we continue to grow with the region.

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Business Development Director salaries in UAE

Average monthly compensation
AED 46,500

Breakdown available for industries, cities and years of experience