Commercial Lead - Manchester
Commercial Lead, Venture-backed deep-tech | Manchester | Full-time
Optera is an early-stage UK deep-tech business operating across a portfolio of related capabilities in space and defence. We are backed by experienced institutional investors and supported by a board with deep sector credibility.
Our active business lines sit at different points on the maturity curve — from a near-term revenue-generating space domain awareness business (Astracyte) through to longer-cycle on-orbit demonstrators and proprietary sensor technology that becomes available in roughly two years. The strategic intent is to build a saleable group: revenue is one indicator of progress, but commercial proof points, partnerships and pipeline are equally important to the eventual exit narrative.
Purpose of the role
The Commercial Lead is accountable for converting Optera’s technical advantage into a credible, defensible commercial position across its active business lines. You will own the go-to-market: positioning, target account strategy, partnerships with primes, and entry onto strategic programmes — starting in Western Europe and the UK, then expanding into the United States.
The CEO will continue to lead the closure of in-flight opportunities through 2026; this role builds the forward pipeline and the commercial machinery that allows Optera to scale into 2027 and beyond. It is a senior, strategic seat shaping how the business enters a complex, IP-sensitive, regulated market — not a transactional sales role.
Candidate profile
We are looking for a senior business development leader with genuine credibility in space and/or defence, the discipline to operate in long-cycle, IP-sensitive markets, and a clear startup mindset.
Essential
Senior BD / commercial track record selling complex, high-value systems into space, defence or adjacent regulated markets.
Demonstrable network among UK and Western European primes, defence customers and programme offices.
Comfort with long sales cycles, formal tenders, complex procurement and multi-stakeholder governance.
UK work visa essential. No relocation or sponsorship available. Thanks
Why this role:
You'll see and shape every part of the business — commercial, technical, financial and cultural — at the moment it scales. There is a genuine path to broader operational leadership over time, and the equity case that goes with it.
Compensation
Competitive base salary benchmarked to senior space/defence BD roles in the UK market.
Performance-related commission tied to qualified pipeline conversion and signed contract value.
Standard UK workplace pension at the statutory minimum (employer contribution in line with auto-enrolment requirements).
Meaningful equity participation as the principal long-term upside, calibrated to seniority and stage .
#Hiring #commercial #DeepTech #SpaceTech #Defence #Manchester #Operations #StartupJobs
Recommended Jobs
Marketing Intern (London) - Apply by May 15th
Overview / Objective: The NFL UK & Ireland office manages the NFL’s business in the UK & Ireland, including the staging of regular-season games in London and across multiple international cities, …
Teacher of Drama - Barnet - Outstanding Ofsted
We are working with a school who are recruiting for an inspirational Drama Teacher to join an Ofsted Outstanding secondary school in Barnet. This is a full-time, permanent position starting in Septem…
Teacher of Geography - Independent Boys' School - Harrow
A prestigious independent Boys' School in Harrow, North West London, renowned for its academic selectivity and outstanding reputation for character development, is recruiting a Teacher of Geography f…
ICTS Project Engineer (London)
We are currently seeking an ICTS Senior Install Engineer who will play a critical role in delivering innovative security systems for our clients. This position offers the opportunity to work with a ta…
Onsite Network Engineer (Infrastructure)
Ensure compliance with organisational and regulatory standards regarding network infrastructure.upporting the setup and commissioning of a new office location. Assisting with the design, build, an…
Banking Consultants
About Us Where Innovation meets Excellence. Be a part of a globally renowned management consulting firm that is on the front-line of industry disruption. We are a mid-size player with a supportive…
Marketing Manager Tech Show London
WHO WE ARE: At CloserStill, we strive to deliver the best. We’re on a mission to be the most dynamic B2B events and communities business in every market we serve, bringing people together to learn…
Pastoral Officer | Academy Converter (Multi-Academy...
CORE PURPOSE We require a highly resilient, empathetic, and organized Pastoral Officer to drive student wellbeing and manage behavioural standards across a designated year group. Operating within …
2026 Technology Graduate Programme - Platform Engineer
About Man Group Man Group is a global alternative investment management firm focused on pursuing outperformance for sophisticated clients via our Systematic, Discretionary and Solutions offerings.…
UKS2 Teacher | November 2025 Start, Hounslow
We are seeking a confident and enthusiastic Year 5 Teacher to join a welcoming and high-achieving primary school in Hounslow. This full-time, permanent position begins October half-term and offers …