Business Development & Sales Lead - UK

Shield AI
London
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeFunction: Business Development & PartnershipsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Communication","Negotiation","Stakeholder management","Relationship management"]

Lead end-to-end sales for Shield AI's V-BAT ISR across the UK, developing territory strategies, engaging defence customers, and translating user needs into autonomous ISR solutions. Drive pipeline, qualify urgent requirements, and collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Operations to close complex opportunities.

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FursaFursa
Shield AI
Shield AI
2 months ago

Business Development & Sales Lead - UK

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 3 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Lead end-to-end sales for Shield AI's V-BAT ISR across the UK, developing territory strategies, engaging defence customers, and translating user needs into autonomous ISR solutions. Drive pipeline, qualify urgent requirements, and collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Operations to close complex opportunities.
Location: London
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Business Development & Partnerships
Seniority: Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Own and drive the full sales lifecycle for V-BAT ISR opportunities across assigned accounts and territories, from pipeline generation through close — with particular focus on accelerated and non-standard acquisition pathways
  • •Identify, qualify, and prosecute urgent operational requirement (UOR) opportunities by leveraging deep knowledge of how end-user communities generate, validate, and fund time-critical capability needs
  • •Develop and execute territory and capture strategies for priority pursuits, aligning with Shield AI's long-term strategic plan and the evolving ISR and mission autonomy requirements of UK and allied special operations forces
  • •Build and maintain trusted relationships with key decision-makers, capability sponsors, programme offices, and influencers across the special mission and broader defence community
  • •Identify and shape requirements at source — engaging with users, capability development functions, and acquisition intermediaries to position V-BAT before formal requirements are crystallised

Key Requirements

  • •Substantive operational background in the UK special operations, special mission, or high-readiness environment with experience in roles that bridged operational requirement and capability development.
  • •Direct familiarity with how ISR capabilities are identified, trialled, acquired, and sustained in non-standard or time-sensitive procurement environments.
  • •Demonstrated experience in capability development, capability acquisition, or working closely with the functions that sponsor and manage them — programme sponsors, requirements owners, or acquisition support roles.
  • •Proven track record of transitioning from military service into a commercial role selling defence capability back into the special operations or broader MoD customer base.
  • •Active SC clearance as a minimum; DV-cleared candidates or those with eligibility strongly preferred.
Experience:DefenceUASISRSpecial operationsGovernment & defence
Education:Bachelor's
Skills:CommunicationNegotiationStakeholder managementRelationship management
Certifications:SC clearanceDV clearance
Languages:English

Eligibility

Security Clearance:SC

Company Brief

Shield AI
Develops AI-powered autonomy and software for military aircraft and drones to enable autonomous ISR and combat missions, integrating perception, navigation, and mission planning for defense customers.
Industry: Defense Technology
Company Size: Large (251 to 1,000 employees)
Growth: Scaleup
Funding: Series E+
Headquarters: San Diego, United States
Founded: 2015
WebsiteLinkedIn