Vice President, Commercial - Aero, Space & Defence

Overview

Element, a leading provider of Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions, are currently looking to hire a Vice President, Commercial to lead our Aero, Space & Defence Europe business.

The role requires a strategic, commercially driven leader with a strong customer focus, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and a proven ability to deliver growth, profitability, and organisational performance across the Aerospace, Defence and Space sectors

Responsibilities

The Vice President, Commercial Aero, Space & Defence Europe defines and executes the BU commercial strategy, driving sustainable growth, profitability, and market share across the business. The role builds trusted relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders, leads complex business development opportunities, and ensures strong commercial governance. As a senior leader, the position develops high-performing teams, navigates a complex and regulated industry landscape, and champions operational excellence, transformation, and customer-focused growth across Europe.

The role requires a strategic, commercially driven leader with strong customer focus, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and a proven ability to deliver growth, profitability, and organisational performance across the Aerospace, Defence and Space sectors. You will be expected to:

• Lead the commercial strategy for the Aero, Space & Defence business across Europe, driving sustainable growth, profitability, market expansion, and customer satisfaction
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders, strengthening Element's market position and brand presence
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, leveraging market insights, customer needs, and the broader capabilities of the Element Group
• Ensure commercial excellence through effective governance, sales management, pricing, account development, lead generation, and performance measurement
• Lead, coach, and develop high-performing commercial teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Partner with Operations and other business leaders to ensure seamless execution, delivery of commitments, and alignment with strategic and financial objectives
• Drive data-led decision-making through market analysis, business case development, and performance reviews to support growth and investment priorities
• Champion operational excellence, transformation, and best-practice commercial processes to support long-term business success

Skills / Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, of which 10-15 years must have been in a VP position
• Executive-level commercial leadership experience.
• Proven ability to drive revenue growth, profitability, and market expansion.
• Strong customer relationship management and business development capability.
• Strategic thinking with strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing international teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving capability in complex environments.
• Ability to lead cross-functional collaboration and organisational change.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Experience operating within the Aerospace, Defence, and Space sectors.
• We welcome applications from candidates from the UK and Europe

Benefits of working at Element

33 days annual holiday, consisting of 25 days annual holiday and 8 days public / x4 Life Assurance / Legal & General Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 6% / Enhanced Company Sick Pay / Flexible Working / Cycle Scheme / Free Onsite Refreshments / Recommend a Friend Bonus / Perks At Work Discount Scheme

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To apply please email [email protected]

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) 

“If you need an accommodation filling out an application, or applying to a job,  please email [email protected]”