Do you want to be at the forefront of shaping the future of the Space sector for National Security?

Are you driven by the potential of space technology to tackle real-world challenges in the UK and beyond? Ready to lead a team making a tangible impact? If so, we want to hear from you. 

The Satellite Applications Catapult is seeking a dynamic, strategic Defence Lead to drive our engagement with the UK defence and security sector. Defence is a critical area of focus—where we are committed to delivering impact, supporting government priorities, and contributing to the growth of the UK economy. 

As our Defence Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in: 

• Building and advancing strategic partnerships 

• Driving cutting-edge capabilities 

• Delivering mission-critical solutions that strengthen national resilience 

All in alignment with the UK National Space Strategy and the UK Defence Space Strategy. This is your opportunity to lead transformative initiatives at the intersection of space and defence—where innovation meets purpose. 

Through its mission-led approach, the Catapult identifies and supports innovation with purpose—helping the defence community access resilient, dual-use satellite capabilities that enhance defence operations, space domain awareness, and secure communications. By fostering collaboration across government, industry, and academia, we deliver cutting-edge solutions that strengthen sovereign capabilities, improve operational effectiveness, and ensure the UK remains a global leader in space-enabled defence. 

If you are passionate about making a difference and thrive in a fast-paced, high-impact environment, we want to hear from you. 

Role Purpose 

As Defence Lead, you will shape and deliver the Catapult’s defence strategy, building strong relationships across the sector and ensuring we remain equipped to meet the evolving needs of defence customers. You will lead a small team, working collaboratively across matrixed functions to deliver high-impact outcomes—some through our Missions. You will also support high-potential businesses in the sector, accelerating their success to meet client needs. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Strategic Leadership: Refine and execute the Catapult’s defence strategy in alignment with national priorities and the UK Defence Space Strategy. 

• Demand Creation: Drive sales and build a robust pipeline of opportunities to support future growth in the defence sector. 

• Team Leadership: Lead a small team and coordinate cross-functional matrix teams to deliver projects both within and outside of Missions. 

• Delivery Oversight: Ensure successful delivery of defence-related activities, enhancing the organisation’s capability to service defence contracts. 

• Stakeholder Engagement: Lead high-level customer engagement and foster excellent stakeholder relationships across the defence and security landscape. 

• Capability Development: Support the development of technical, cultural, and infrastructure capabilities to meet defence sector needs. 

• Financial Management: Manage budgets and maintain budgetary awareness to ensure sustainable growth. 

• Performance Tracking: Monitor progress against milestones and KPIs to maintain momentum and ensure accountability. 

Skills & Attributes 

• Excellent leadership, influencing, and communication skills, with a strong ability to build long-term, trusted relationships across government, industry, and internal teams. 

• Experienced public speaker, confident presenting to both small and large audiences, including senior stakeholders. 

• Skilled in creating engaging stakeholder presentations and proposals tailored to technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Ability to develop creative and client-pleasing solutions to complex business problems. 

• Comfortable operating at a conceptual level, with a clear focus on communicating compelling value propositions. 

• Able to work in collaboration to capture current capabilities and horizon-scan emerging technologies. 

• Able to co-create and help deliver a joined-up approach to market engagement. 

• Experience in aligning corporate marketing and communications with domain-specific messaging to support lead generation. 

• Committed to ensuring all activities deliver clear routes to revenue and measurable impact. 

• A team player, skilled at working within a matrix organisation and leveraging cross-functional expertise. 

• Proactive in identifying and resolving internal blockers and conflicts to maintain delivery momentum. 

• Able to change focus from long-term vision to near goals, delivering operationally when required 

• You must either hold active Security Clearance, or be eligible for Security Clearance, and potentially DV Clearance.

Desirable 

• Experience working with or within a defence and space organisation, government innovation bodies, or public-private partnerships. 

• Knowledge of mission-led innovation models and how they apply to defence and space. 

• Understanding of dual-use technologies and their role in national resilience.