Friday, October 9, 2026
Remote
United Kingdom
Full-time
18-Oct-2026
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:
1. Develop and maintain the organisation’s defence vertical ‘go to market’ strategy, aligned with the corporate strategy, and creating growth objectives and pipeline opportunities, working closely with Growth and senior stakeholders.
2. Act as our defence SME, identifying and articulating internally and externally where and how Maximus can add value to address the MOD’s challenges (e.g. workforce, health, skills, assessment services, digital support, transition services), including playing an active role in priority opportunities such as shaping value propositions and influencing win strategies.
3. 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)
4. Act as the internal subject matter lead on defence policy and stakeholder dynamics, advising senior leadership and growth teams. Lead or support the development of position papers, briefings, consultation responses and drafting thought leadership on relevant policy
5. 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.
6. Identify and activate strategic partners (e.g. primes, integrators, specialist providers) to enable joint go to market activity and access to defence opportunities.
7. Deliver measurable growth outcomes including pipeline generation, opportunity conversion and increased market presence within the defence sector.
Key Internal Stakeholders & Relationships
Country Leadership Team
Operational teams
Growth/Business Development team
Marketing and Integrated Communications teams
Key External Stakeholders & Relationships
Government officials
Elected representatives
Think tanks and research organisations
Membership bodies
Essential:
- Significant experience working in or with the defence sector or closely related policy environments, developing growth/engagement plans.
- Proven ability to operate at a strategic, cross organisational level, influencing senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of UK defence and national security policy, governance, commissioning and stakeholder landscape.
- Familiarity with MOD procurement approach and market, and of working for/with contractors relating to procured services
- Confident relationship builder with an existing network and credibility at senior levels.
- Excellent written and verbal presentation skills
- Ability to work with senior leaders within an organisation
- Degree or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Experience managing a pipeline of commercial opportunities and/or working to growth targets
Maximus Competencies
- Embraces Respect.
- Partners Effectively:
- Creates Innovative Solutions
- Focuses on the Customer:
- Demonstrates Compassion.
- Takes Responsibility & Acts with Integrity
Individual competencies
- Strategic Business Acumen, Exceptional Communication, Data-Driven Decision Making,
- Growth-Orientated Mindsets, Solution focused, Detail-Orientes, Proactive and Agile Execution: Results Drivel, Adaptive Leadership, Learning Agility, Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Travel Requirements
- Occasional travel required - Business Travel 10,000+ miles per year NO
- 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.
Minimum Salary
£ 75,000.00
Maximum Salary
£ 98,875.00
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