Defence Account Director

Licensed sponsor United Kingdom Full-time Posted 1 hour ago

Be part of something great!

Maximus is a global organisation that specialises in providing health and employment services to millions of people every year. Here in the UK we employ around 5,000 people across the country to deliver services that have a profound impact on people’s lives. From assessments and health services to employability programmes and specialist support, we do work that matters with people who care.

Benefits

Salary is £75,000 - £98,875
25 days holidays + bank holidays
9% combined pension contribution
Healthcare cashplan
Retail discounts

About the role

This is a rare opportunity to lead Maximus UK's entry into the defence market. As Defence Account Director, you will shape and lead our new market strategy, build our position with defence customers and partners, and turn our capabilities into a compelling, sustainable growth platform. Working closely with executive leaders and senior stakeholders, you will have the mandate to define where we play, how we win and the partnerships we need to succeed. This is a visible, influential role for someone who wants to create a new market presence and leave a lasting strategic legacy.

We are looking for an ambitious senior leader with deep experience of defence, national security, government, the wider public sector or another highly regulated environment. You will bring the credibility, commercial judgement and energy to build trusted relationships across government and industry, mobilise colleagues around a clear market ambition and convert strategy into action.

Key Responsibilities

Own and lead the organisation's defence go-to-market strategy, aligned with corporate priorities, setting the market ambition, growth objectives and route to a qualified pipeline in partnership with Growth and senior stakeholders.
Be the organisation's senior defence market lead, identifying and articulating where Maximus can add distinctive value to MOD challenges, including workforce, health, skills, assessment services, digital support and transition services. Lead the shaping of priority opportunities, value propositions and win strategies.
Track defence policy, reform and spending priorities to inform strategic choices and corporate planning, and translate these into actionable go to market assets (e.g. messaging, campaigns and growth enablement materials)
Act as the internal subject matter lead on defence policy and stakeholder dynamics, advising senior leadership and Growth teams. Lead the development of position papers, briefings, consultation responses and thought leadership that strengthen our credibility and market voice.
Build and maintain senior level relationships across the MOD and relevant agencies, existing providers, membership bodies and other key policy influencers. Represent the organisation at identified forums, events and roundtables to build brand awareness.
Identify and activate strategic partners (e.g. primes, integrators, specialist providers) to enable joint go to market activity and access to defence opportunities.
Build Maximus UK's defence market presence from the ground up and deliver measurable growth outcomes, including a credible pipeline, stronger strategic partnerships, opportunity conversion and increased visibility across the sector.

What we are looking for:

Essential

Significant senior-level experience working in or with defence, national security, the MOD, central government or a closely related regulated market.
Proven ability to operate at a strategic, cross‑organisational level, influencing senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
Strong understanding of the UK defence and national security landscape, including relevant policy, governance, procurement, commissioning and stakeholder dynamics.
Commercial understanding of defence and government procurement, with experience working for, with or alongside organisations delivering complex contracted services.
Confident relationship‑builder with an existing network and credibility at senior levels.
Degree or equivalent experience

Desirable

Experience building a new market, developing strategic partnerships and managing a pipeline of complex commercial opportunities against growth targets

EEO Statement

Maximus is committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process. We know that feeling included has a dramatic impact on personal wellbeing and are working to ensure that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment due to any personal characteristic. Advertisements for posts will include sufficiently clear and accurate information to enable potential applicants to assess their own suitability for the post.

We are a Disability Confident Leader, thanks to our commitment to the recruitment, retention and career development of people with disabilities and long term conditions. The Disability Confident scheme includes a guaranteed interview for any applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for a job.

When you complete your job application you will find a question asking you if you would like to apply under the Disability Confident Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you feel that you have a disability and apply under this scheme, providing that you meet the essential criteria for the job, you will then be invited for interview. Your Guaranteed Interview application will only be shared with the hiring manager and the local resourcing team.

Where reasonable, Maximus will review and consider adjustments for those applicants who express a requirement for them during the recruitment process.