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Strategic Partnerships Director - Aerospace

About The Role
Strategic Partnership Director - Aerospace

NCC

Location: Bristol based with Hybrid working

Salary: Competitive Salary plus up to 12.5% employer pension, private medical insurance and additional benefits package.

Closing Date: 18th January 2026. We reserve the right to withdraw adverts earlier if required.

Summary

We are seeking an experienced senior leader to lead, develop and diversify NCC’s Aerospace Partnership portfolio. This includes working closely with industry, policy-makers and investment organisations (regionally and nationally) to deliver even greater impact for the sector and for the UK.

Part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, NCC is an independent, open-access technology centre focused on addressing some of the world’s most complex engineering challenges. You will join this dynamic organisation as it implements its 5-year strategy, one that is growth and impact focused.

Reporting to the Chief Business Officer you will be accountable for the development and leadership of strategic partnerships that expand and broaden our impact and reach. You will work across the company to set strategic direction and ensure this is informed by latest insight and intelligence. You will demonstrate strong leadership, embed a customer-focused approach to delivery and work in lockstep with industry to deliver even greater impact for the UK. Critically, you will also be committed to contributing to the corporate leadership of the organisation and to exemplifying its values and behaviours.

What you’ll be doing

Set strategic direction and implement a strategic partnership approach to accelerate and drive business growth through a portfolio of technology, capability, and service offerings.

Develop a network of senior leaders across innovation, industry, professional services and allied organisations and networks.

Raise NCC’s profile across this stakeholder landscape to ensure its capabilities and expertise are known and understood.

Expand NCC’s portfolio of innovative partnership constructs and commercial offerings; informed by latest external analysis, and market insight.

Represent NCC on relevant business and industry initiatives and networks and inform organisational thought leadership.

In partnership with the Director for External Affairs, inform national and sub-national strategy and investment decisions.

Work collaboratively with NCC Directors and teams to inform the development and delivery of impactful, targeted, and customer-focused external sector campaigns that grow the business and expand its customer pipeline.

Be committed to developing the talents of the wider organisation.

Alongside leading day-to-day activities, this role will be central to driving forward high-priority projects and securing the public and private sector funding needed to deliver them.
What we’re looking for

Evidence of a strong, senior network with leaders across the aerospace sector (OEMs and supply chain).

Experience of supporting companies to grow and scale through innovation partnerships.

Track record of convening senior stakeholder groups to secure and or deliver major innovation initiatives.

Developed understanding of the UK innovation funding landscape and that of relevant aerospace networks and initiatives.

Evidenced ability to use data, including stakeholder insights and wider intelligence, to inform strategy development and underpin business growth.

Proven track record in skilful navigation through senior stakeholders across the business and industry.

Leadership in acting as an ambassador and advocate for an organisation and or sector.

A track record of strong leadership, of delivering through others in a matrix organisation and of developing high performing teams

The post involves regular travel to Bristol and London.

What do we offer in return?

Hybrid and flexible working as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.

Unsure if you should apply? Got a quick question you wanted to check beforehand? Please feel free to reach out to the recruitment team – [email protected]

We see your future in ours. Apply now.
Notes/Brief for Recruitment Team:
About The Company
Who are NCC?

We bridge the gap between academia and industry, helping companies of all sizes to capitalise on cutting-edge innovations to deliver more. We do this at every stage of their journey and across the entire product lifecycle, from the earliest concept to end-of-life.

Part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and the University of Bristol, we’ve evolved from our origins as the National Centre of Excellence in composite technology. We provide a gateway to world-class expertise, advanced facilities, and industrial collaboration. A not-for-profit organisation, we leverage these assets to complement our customers’ capabilities, helping them to develop their people, grow, compete, and succeed through technology and product leadership. As well as working with industrial partners, we help create the conditions that enable UK innovators and industry to thrive. This includes providing national and local decision-makers with insight and evidence to inform strategy, policy, and investment decisions.

We see our success in yours. Not sure you meet all the requirements? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs if they think they may not meet every qualification, when in fact they often do. At NCC we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We ensure that all hiring decisions are made without regard to age, race, national origin, sex, disability, gender, gender identity, religion, or any other protected characteristics, and will treat all applications with the strictest confidence. We’re always open to hearing how we can support flexible working in different ways, including part-time work. Please don’t be afraid to ask about what we can do to support your needs. All requests will be carefully and fairly considered. We wish you every success in your job search.