Job Description

Nova Systems is a global engineering services and technology solutions company with offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. We work with customers across defence, aerospace, security, and essential services, helping to keep communities safe and secure. We combine the reach of a global business with the responsiveness and care of a specialist consultancy.

We are currently looking for a Senior Business Development & Capture Manager to join the team in our UK based Growth team focusing on Special Mission Aircraft.

The Role

The role is responsible for business development, building the opportunity pipeline, capture and order Intake within our Special Mission Aircraft business, contributing directly to sustainable revenue growth and profitability.

Reporting directly to the Director of Growth (International) Clifton Lombard and working alongside Strategy and Marketing Manager Ollie Bishop to ensure Nova is represented in the right places.

You will work closely with Programme Managers and General Managers across the business to ensure a harmonized approach to business development, the development of compelling solutions to customer requirements, and the capture of opportunities and also with our Australia based team collaborating on business winning projects and opportunities beneficial to the success and profitability targets for Nova Group as a whole.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and grow a qualified opportunity pipeline aligned to Nova Systems’ strategy, using market insight, customer intelligence, and collaboration across the wider workforce to identify emerging opportunities and support profitable revenue growth.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, government and industry bodies, customers and key partners.
• Represent Nova Systems at relevant industry events and forums.
• Support the annual business plan, contribute to strategic marketing and growth planning, advise on business development investment decisions, and manage delegated business development, capture, and investment budgets effectively.
• Lead strategic opportunities, major captures, and complex bid development, including advising on partner selection and negotiations for future business, capture activities, and major proposals.
• Work in line with Nova Systems’ policies, safety expectations, and core values of Trust, Professionalism, Passion, and Community.

Essential Experience and Requirements

• Experience in Special Mission Aircraft or related parapublic segments, such as operator, technical, programme delivery, or business winning experience.
• Demonstrable business winning experience, including a track record of negotiation with senior stakeholders in closing contracts of significant value.
• Strong communicator, negotiator, and influencer with interpersonal skills to build trusted, lasting relationships with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely customer, pipeline, and forecast data to support informed business development decisions.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to assess complex commercial situations and identify where Nova Systems can add value
• Experience operating with senior stakeholders and building professional credibility in complex customer, partner, or industry environments.
• Experience working in complex, fast-paced, or customer-focused environments where priorities can change.
• Ability to deliver high-quality work accurately and on time in a role with competing priorities.
• Eligibility to work in the UK without sponsorship.
• Full driving licence valid for use in the UK.

Desirable Experience

• STEM and/or business qualifications, preferably to degree level.

Location and Ways of Working

The role can be based in either Filton - Bristol, Stokenchurch - High Wycombe or Corsham nr Bath. We have hybrid working at Nova, we manage schedules in line with business and customer needs, whilst ensuring a good work life balance. Your home base can be anywhere in the South of the UK to do this role but you must be prepared to be in your contracted office when required. The ability to travel in this role is essential, all BD related business travel and accommodation etc will be covered by Nova, travel to your contracted office for non-client work is at your own cost.

Why Join Us

At Nova Systems, you’ll be part of a mission-driven team that values innovation, trust, and collaboration. We offer a supportive environment for learning and development, backed by our professional development allowance, mentoring, and opportunities to work on impactful UK and global defence and parapublic projects.

Our Benefits & Perks

• 8.5% Matched Salary Sacrifice Pension
• Annual Professional Development Allowance
• 5 days Development Leave
• 25 days Annual Leave + UK Public Holidays
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• 5 Days Reservist Leave
• Loyalty Leave
• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality
• Life Insurance
• Upto 6 Weeks Sick Pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Reward & Recognition Programme
• Discounts and more
• Flexible and Hybrid working

Interview Process might look like this

1. MS Teams Screen call with Talent Partner
2. MS Teams Interview with Hiring Manager/Line Manager
3. Final interview / meet the team - In Person at one of our Offices

• May include pre briefed case study / research presentation
• Right to work documents must be provided at this stage if not before.

Please note - This role requires pre-employment screening in line with the UK Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). The checks will include verification of identity and right to work in the UK, employment history, education checks and a criminal record check. Please note that appointment is subject to successful completion of these checks, and refusal to participate will result in withdrawal of the offer.

About Nova Systems

Nova Systems is a global engineering services and technology solutions company, with strategically located offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. We play a key part in keeping the global community safe. We pride ourselves in being responsive to our customers and are committed to delivering our solutions in a timely way. Small enough to care, big enough to matter, we leverage the benefits of scale for our clients.

What makes Nova Systems truly unique, is our people, it’s where the best and brightest minds come together to challenge, collaborate, and innovate. At Nova Systems we see things differently. We bring (and take) a different perspective.

Our Vision - to be a global systems innovator.

Our Purpose - To make our world safe and secure.

We are committed to increasing diversity of staff within Nova Systems International and within the aerospace and engineering sector. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the requirements of the role description, and we are committed to equal opportunity, equal treatment, and respect for every individual.

At Nova Systems International we are proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant. We recognize the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families bring to our business.

We offer, and value, flexible working and we are also proud to be committed to mental health awareness and to actively support the wellbeing of our team. If you have special access requirements, please do let us know.

To find out more about Nova please go to www.novasystems.com or our LinkedIn page