Defence Sector Lead

Job Description

About the Role

AECOM Polska is looking for an experienced and commercially driven Defence Sector Lead to support the growth of our Defence business in the Polish domestic market.

The primary focus of this role will be to identify, develop, and secure new project opportunities in the Defence sector, particularly with the Polish Ministry of National Defence, PGZ Group entities, Polish Defence industry companies, and selected local and international OEMs.

The successful candidate will be responsible for building strong client relationships, understanding upcoming investment plans, identifying new opportunities, supporting bid preparation, and helping convert market potential into secured projects.

The role will also support the Country Director in shaping the Defence sector growth strategy for Poland, providing market insight, client intelligence, opportunity mapping, and recommendations on priority clients, partners, and pursuits.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities in the Polish Defence sector.
• Focus primarily on project opportunities related to the Polish Ministry of National Defence, PGZ Group entities, military infrastructure programmes, Defence industry companies, and OEMs operating in Poland.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, decision-makers, partners, authorities, and industry stakeholders.
• Monitor Defence infrastructure investment plans, procurement opportunities, market trends, and competitor activity.
• Support the Country Director in developing and updating the Defence sector growth strategy for Poland.
• Collaborate and work with AECOM EURI Defence Leadership team and Defence Client Leads
• Work with Business Lines to ensure delivery capability and capacity aligns with growth ambition and opportunities sought
• Provide client intelligence, opportunity mapping, pipeline input, and recommendations on priority pursuits.
• Lead or support capture planning, bid strategy, partner coordination, and proposal preparation for Defence-sector opportunities.
• Represent AECOM at selected industry events, conferences, client meetings, and networking forums.
• Support the successful initiation of secured Defence-related projects and ensure effective handover to delivery teams.
• Contribute to pipeline development, sales forecasting, revenue planning, and profitable business growth.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will combine strong knowledge of the Polish Defence market with proven business development capability, commercial awareness, and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have either a former military background or professional experience within PGZ Group or its affiliated companies. Direct experience with military infrastructure, Defence procurement, or cooperation with the Polish Ministry of National Defence would be a strong advantage.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Former military officer, former service member, or professional experience within PGZ Group or its affiliated companies would be highly preferred.
• Proven experience in business development, client management, project acquisition, or sector development within the Defence, engineering, infrastructure, design, construction, or consulting sectors.
• Strong understanding of the Polish Defence market, including military infrastructure investments, Ministry of National Defence priorities, procurement processes, and key stakeholders.
• Good knowledge of PGZ Group entities, Polish Defence industry players, local OEMs, and international Defence companies operating in Poland.
• Experience working directly with military clients, Defence institutions, or Defence-sector industrial partners would be a strong advantage.
• Experience in engineering design, architecture, programme and project management, or technical advisory services would be highly valued.
• Proven ability to develop client relationships, identify opportunities, support bids, and contribute to revenue growth.
• University degree in Engineering, Architecture, Defence, Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• Fluency in Polish and English, both written and spoken.

Key Skills

• Strong commercial mindset and ability to convert opportunities into secured projects.
• Excellent communication, networking, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong credibility in discussions with Defence-sector clients and stakeholders.
• Good understanding of client decision-making processes and procurement requirements.
• Strategic thinking combined with a hands–on business development approach.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and international environment.
• High level of professionalism, credibility, resilience, and integrity.

Additional Information

What We Offer

This role offers a unique opportunity to play a key role in growing AECOM’s Defence-sector portfolio in Poland.

The successful candidate will join a strong multidisciplinary organisation with local delivery capabilities, international expertise, and a clear ambition to expand its position in Defence infrastructure, design, programme management, project management, and advisory services.