Job Specifications
The Opportunity
We are working with a prominent consultancy to appoint a Director of Business Development to play a pivotal role in driving complex, high-value growth across the public sector. This is a senior leadership position, suited to someone who thrives in sophisticated sales environments and is as comfortable shaping long-term market strategies as they are leading teams to win major opportunities.
You will operate at the intersection of strategy, solutions and delivery, supporting some of the organisation’s most significant pursuits. While public sector consulting sits firmly at the heart of the role, exposure to wider strategic and solutions-led programmes — primarily within defence-adjacent work — will form part of a broader, varied portfolio.
The Role
As Director of Business Development, you will take on responsibilities aligned with senior business development leadership, with the additional accountability of managing and developing a high-performing team operating in complex sales environments.
Key responsibilities include:
Leading, coaching and motivating a business development team focused on complex, multi-stakeholder opportunities
Owning and supporting large portfolios and key strategic accounts, including major public sector clients
Shaping and contributing to complex bid strategies, opportunity pursuit planning and qualification activity
Working closely with senior stakeholders across consulting, delivery and solutions teams to design compelling propositions
Supporting the end-to-end pursuit lifecycle, from early market engagement through to negotiation and deal closure
Acting as a credible senior figure with clients, partners and internal leaders, bringing clarity and direction to high-value pursuits
Balancing business development and market development activity, helping to identify where future demand and growth will emerge
This role requires someone who can move seamlessly between strategic thinking and hands-on leadership, while maintaining a clear focus on winning and delivering value.
About You
You will be an experienced business development leader with a proven track record of success in complex, consultative sales, ideally within the public sector.
You will bring:
Demonstrable experience leading and managing teams in complex sales or pursuit-driven environments
Strong credibility in winning complex public sector deals, including large, multi-year or multi-lot programmes
The ability to “flip-flop” effectively between strategic market development and active opportunity pursuit
Established networks and relationships that add real value to complex sales programmes
Excellent planning, qualification and pursuit management capability
Confidence, gravitas and the ability to influence at senior levels, both internally and externally
A collaborative mindset, with the authority and empathy needed to lead others effectively
Why This Role?
This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership position within a respected consultancy, where your impact will be felt across major programmes and long-term client relationships. You will have the autonomy to shape strategy, the support to build and lead a capable team, and the reward structure to reflect success in winning meaningful, complex work.
If you are a credible, strategic business development leader looking to take the next step in a high-impact role, this opportunity offers both challenge and progression in equal measure.
About the Company
At AEJ Consulting, we are a specialist talent solutions consultancy providing expert search and strategy into some of the largest and best-known institutions around the world. Our solutions enable teams to develop and build globally, from executive appointments through to embedded consulting partnerships.
AEJ Consulting has an evolving approach to proactive talent sourcing, market insight and research, allowing us to consistently grow our network across UK & Europe, The Americas, APAC & MENA.
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