Director UK & Nordics

The Commercial Division is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team responsible for driving business development, programme delivery, and client engagement across global defence and security markets. The division comprises a lean but highly capable group of professionals, including specialists in business development, programme management, operations, and client services. 

The Director UK & Nordics is a senior leadership position within Kraken Technology Group, responsible for delivering sustainable growth across the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on business development execution, focused on securing major defence, security, maritime, and government programmes. 

The Director will lead regional business development activity, manage and develop subordinate commercial staff, and be accountable for revenue generation and order intake targets within the region. The position requires the identification, capture and successful conversion of large, complex programmes involving government, military and industry stakeholders. 

Operating at senior executive level, the Director will build and maintain trusted relationships with defence ministries, naval organisations, procurement authorities, prime contractors, OEMs and strategic partners. The role will work closely with engineering, operations, programme delivery and executive leadership teams to ensure Kraken's capabilities are aligned to customer requirements and market opportunities. 

Success in this role will be measured by revenue growth, order intake, pipeline development, customer relationship strength, team leadership and the successful capture of strategically important programmes. 

• Lead Kraken's business development strategy and execution across the UK and Nordic region, ensuring alignment with corporate growth objectives. 
• Deliver annual revenue, order intake and pipeline targets for the assigned region. 
• Identify, qualify, pursue and secure new business opportunities within defence, security, maritime and government sectors. 
• Develop and execute campaign plans for priority markets.  
• Develop and execute capture strategies for major, complex opportunities from early market shaping through to contract award. 
• Build and maintain relationships with senior decision-makers across government departments, defence ministries, armed forces, acquisition organisations and industry partners. 
• Lead regional account management activities and ensure effective engagement across all key customer accounts. 
• Manage, mentor and develop subordinate business development and account management personnel, promoting a high-performance culture and ensuring achievement of individual and team objectives. 
• Oversee opportunity qualification, pursuit governance, forecasting and reporting activities for executive leadership. 
• Lead the preparation and review of proposals, tender submissions, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs and supporting commercial documentation. 
• Coordinate internal resources to ensure customer requirements are translated into compelling technical and commercial solutions. 
• Contribute to strategic partnerships, teaming agreements and alliances to enhance Kraken's regional position and competitive advantage. 
• Represent Kraken at defence exhibitions, conferences, demonstrations, customer workshops and industry forums. 
• Monitor regional market trends, competitor activity, procurement programmes and emerging capability requirements. 
• Support contract negotiations and contribute to commercial and contractual strategy. 
• Ensure compliance with relevant export controls, procurement regulations, company policies and governance requirements. 
• Provide market intelligence and strategic recommendations to support long-term business planning and investment decisions. 
• Support executive leadership in the development and implementation of regional growth strategies. 

• Proven experience leading business development activities within the defence, security, maritime or related technology sectors. 
• Demonstrable track record of achieving significant revenue growth and securing major contracts. 
• Experience managing and developing business development, sales or commercial teams. 
• Strong understanding of government procurement processes, defence acquisition frameworks and public-sector contracting. 
• Demonstrated success in capturing and delivering large, complex multi-million-pound programmes. 
• Strong network of relationships across defence ministries, armed forces, acquisition organisations, prime contractors and industry stakeholders within the UK and/or Nordic region. 
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, influencing and relationship management skills. 
• Ability to develop and execute successful account, growth and capture strategies. 
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of contract structures, pricing strategies and business case development. 
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, including executive-level briefings and customer engagements. 
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, complex and politically sensitive environments. 
• Experience working collaboratively across engineering, operations, programme delivery and executive leadership functions. 
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region and internationally as required. 

• Former military service or significant experience working alongside defence organisations. 
• Deep understanding of naval, maritime, autonomous systems, unmanned systems or defence technology sectors. 
• Knowledge of defence procurement organisations within the UK, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. 
• Experience working with NATO programmes and multinational defence initiatives. 
• Existing relationships with major defence prime contractors, naval organisations and government agencies across the region. 
• Experience in international business development and export campaigns. 
• Familiarity with UK MOD, NATO, NSPA, OCCAR and allied procurement organisations. 
• Knowledge of export control regulations including ITAR, EAR and UK Export Controls. 
• MBA or equivalent advanced business qualification. 
• Experience establishing and managing strategic partnerships, joint ventures and industrial collaborations. 
• Understanding of ISO 9001:2015 and quality management systems. 

You'll thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where strategic thinking and relationship building are valued. Working closely with colleagues across the business, you'll have the autonomy to shape opportunities, influence key decisions and make a tangible impact on Kraken's growth.

We're looking for someone who is commercially minded, proactive and comfortable operating at both a strategic and hands-on level. You'll be trusted to build strong relationships, challenge thinking where needed and contribute to the continued success of the business.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important region and play a central role in Kraken’s continued growth across UK and European defence markets.

You will have the scope to shape regional strategy, develop a high-performing commercial team and build relationships with influential government, military and industry stakeholders. You will also work closely with technical, operational and executive teams to pursue complex programmes and bring Kraken’s capabilities to customers across the region.