Mission Systems Manager - National Security

Mission Systems Manager – National Security 

We’re looking for a Mission Systems Manager – National Security to help grow Mind Foundry’s work with Defence and National Security customers, turning trusted AI/ML capability into practical customer value. Working at the intersection of customer need, mission context, technical possibility and commercial opportunity, you’ll build relationships, shape opportunities and help customers understand how advanced AI can support decision-making, data exploitation and mission outcomes in secure, complex environments. 

Mind Foundry is at an exciting stage of growth, with increasing demand for trusted, deployable AI capability. As our mission systems team expands, this role will play a pivotal role in shaping how we build our presence across the National Security domain, develop strategic customer and partner relationships, and identify where our technology can deliver the greatest operational value. We specialise in supporting customers to make sense of the ever-increasing volumes of data collected by sensors and systems at the speed of relevance. We often find ourselves working at the edge in complex environments where power, compute, and bandwidth are in short supply.  

The National Security domain is evolving rapidly, with increasing demand for trusted, deployable AI to support decision advantage, data exploitation, operational analysis, human-machine teaming, and the fusion of complex information in secure and demanding environments. As our Mission Systems Manager – National Security, you will be responsible for driving Mind Foundry’s growth across the UK National Security community, building trusted relationships with central government departments, agencies, prime contractors, agencies, and delivery partners operating in highly classified environments.  

This is a role for someone who wants to combine commercial ownership with mission impact. You will have the autonomy to shape how Mind Foundry grows in the National Security domain, while working closely with colleagues across the business to ensure the opportunities we pursue are strategically aligned, technically credible and valuable to our customers. We are looking for someone who thrives as part of a high-performing team: humble yet ambitious, collaborative, and motivated by a strong sense of mission. 

Because of the nature of this work:  

• You will be required to travel to and work from client sites and partner locations. When not working onsite, this role can be office-based or hybrid from our Summertown, Oxford office.  

• You will need to hold existing or be eligible for UK Developed Vetting (DV), details of which can be found on the Gov UK website.  

Key Responsibilities:  

• Own revenue delivery and growth for National Security, including pipeline generation, opportunity management, forecasting, and deal closure 

• Own the end-to-end commercial lifecycle, from market engagement and opportunity qualification through bid execution, contract negotiation, and account expansion. 

• Build and execute on a sales and go-to-market plan in line with our strategy. You will have a high degree of autonomy. Therefore, experience in sales and/or business development is a must.  

• Articulate the value of Mind Foundry’s AI, translating technical capability into clear operational and mission outcomes for customers 

• Build and grow senior customer relationships across the UK National Security ecosystem, including government customers, primes, and partners 

• Expand and develop accounts, securing follow-on work, programme growth, and long-term engagements 

• The confidence in a sales-led, commercially accountable role that requires a strong understanding of National Security sales mechanics, including long sales cycles, complex stakeholder environments, and secure procurement processes. 

• Act as the commercial bridge between customers and internal teams, ensuring solutions are deliverable, scalable, and commercially sound 

• Provide market and customer insight to inform product direction and National Security strategy 

Growth/Future:  

• As Mind Foundry expands its Defence and National Security work, this role will have the opportunity to shape our National Security domain strategy, build long-term customer and partner relationships, and grow their own influence alongside the company. 

Core Skills & Experience: 

• 5+ years' experience in sales and business development and/or account management in National Security.  

• Proven ability to develop opportunities, build trusted customer relationships and communicate the value of complex technology products or services. 

• Comfortable taking ownership in ambiguous environments, creating structure where needed and moving work forward with judgement, pace and rigour. 

• Collaborative, mission-driven and low-ego, with a willingness to share knowledge, bring others with you and contribute to a high-performing multidisciplinary team. 

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to effectively manage and/or implement all phases of projects and tasks to ensure smooth delivery 

• Ability to manage complex relationships with large commercial organisations, ensuring that Mind Foundry's products & services are meshed into the customers and partners' current, next generation and generation after next workstreams. 

• Highly proficient at managing multiple initiatives and activities ranging from simple to complex; short to long term 

• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills that ensure contract renewals 

• A track record of product and revenue growth, and high levels of customer satisfaction 

Nice to have: 

• Experience working with or selling into National Security customers, prime contractors or Defence partners.