Business Development Manager- RAL SpaceExperience Level: Mid Level | Posted Date: 12/04/2025
Job Title: Business Development Manager- RAL Space
Salary: £45,272 Band E- gross per annum
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 4 days per week) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
At the UK’s national space laboratory our scientists, technologists, engineers and business team make our world a better place by partnering with our community to advance knowledge and the use of space and the environment to benefit all. Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.
We are seeking a Business Development Manager to join our RAL Space business development team at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on the Harwell Campus. You will lead and develop a portfolio of high value opportunities, working alongside RAL Space’s technical teams to develop existing and new opportunities. You will develop the strategy and plan to grow your pipeline and raise the international profile of RAL Space.
The team is focused on supporting all areas of RAL Space. This group in turn is part of the much larger Business & Innovation Directorate (BID) covering all three main STFC sites.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the business development vision, objectives and plan for your allocated portfolio.
• Become a trusted member of the relevant internal teams and provide a high-quality service to our customers.
• Respond to enquiries from a wide range of institutional and commercial sources.
• Manage assigned internal and external key relationships.
• Develop a pipeline of opportunities from lead generation to closing deals and funding opportunities.
• Promote our capabilities through various channels; online, through engaging talks and tours, in productive meetings, through exhibitions and at major UK and international events.
• Carry out dedicated business development projects; examples – review and report on future market opportunities, organise and lead international delegations.
Contacts and Communication
• The position will require occasional travel to the other STFC sites across the UK, and other locations (some overseas) for conferences, events, business meetings, etc.
• You will communicate regularly with staff in RAL Space, BID, wider STFC, and other external organisations in order to deliver customer work, identify new opportunities, encourage engagement and ultimately deliver impact.
Person Specification:
This role requires a broad range of skills, suitable candidates will have a mixture of the skills listed below. The role will also require some travel within the UK and occasional travel overseas.
(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)
Essential
• Business development aptitude, demonstrating excellent customer facing, communication, networking and influencing skills. (S&I)
• Technical background in science, engineering or business. (S&I)
• Able to form good working relationships with all teams and levels. (S&I)
• Record of working independently and delivering against targets. (S&I)
• Able to grasp new topics and acquire new skills quickly. (S&I)
• Pro-active, well organised and able to explain complex ideas succinctly. (S&I)
Desirable
• Knowledge of the space industry. (S&I)
• Experience of negotiating and/or reviewing commercial contracts. (S&I)
Benefits:
Working part of a committed team in RAL Space at the heart of the UK Space sector, a major part of the Harwell Space Cluster comprising over 100 organisations with over 1400 space professionals on site including the European Space Agency, UK Space Agency, Satellite Applications Catapult.
Being part of the UK Research and Innovation community with excellent career prospects, training options and equal opportunities.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits including a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.
Join us and discover what’s possible!
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.