Vice President Marine
- Preston, United Kingdom
Posted 5 days ago
About the role
Overview:
At Expleo, we're looking for an exceptional leader to join our UK Executive Leadership Team as Vice President - Marine, with full accountability for the strategic direction, commercial performance and operational leadership of our Marine sector.
Reporting directly to the UK Managing Director, you will own growth strategy, profitability, customer portfolio, capability development and long-term market positioning across some of the UK's most complex marine and defence programmes.
Built on established strengths in Mechanical, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, the role will accelerate growth across Software Engineering, Cyber Security and Digital Engineering, shaping the future of maritime and defence delivery.
This is a role for an entrepreneurial business leader who combines strategic vision, commercial acumen, customer influence and operational excellence with a passion for engineering and technology-led transformation.
You will have the autonomy and executive sponsorship to shape strategy, influence investment decisions, build future capabilities and directly impact Expleo's growth within one of the UK's most strategically important sectors.
Given the nature of the programmes supported, candidates must hold current SC clearance or be able to obtain and maintain SC clearance as a condition of the role.
What's in It for You?
- Join Expleo's UK Executive Leadership Team and help shape the future direction of the business
- Lead one of Expleo UK's most strategically important and high-growth sectors
- Full ownership of strategy, growth, profitability and operational performance
- Influence investment decisions, capability expansion and long-term business planning
- Build and strengthen relationships with senior leaders across defence, government and industry
- Drive the growth of advanced engineering, digital and technology-led services
- Lead a substantial and highly skilled engineering and technology workforce
- Play a key role in Expleo's continued growth within the defence and maritime sectors
- Strategic Business Leadership
- Define and lead the three-year strategic roadmap, investment plan and business growth strategy for the Marine sector
- Contribute to the development of Expleo UK's wider strategic direction as a member of the Executive Leadership Team
- Identify emerging market opportunities, technology trends and future growth areas
- Shape the Marine business towards higher-value engineering, digital and technology-led services
- Evaluate strategic partnerships, market expansion opportunities and potential acquisition opportunities that strengthen Expleo's position
- Commercial & Growth Leadership
- Own revenue, profitability, order intake and long-term growth targets for the Marine business
- Hold full P&L accountability, balancing sustainable growth with operational performance and investment priorities
- Sponsor and strengthen key client relationships at executive level, ensuring Expleo is positioned as a trusted strategic partner across existing and future accounts
- Lead strategic customer discussions focused on long-term partnerships, growth opportunities and measurable business outcomes
- Track, manage and diversify the client portfolio, identifying opportunities to reduce dependency, broaden market reach and unlock new routes for sustainable growth
- Sponsor major pursuits, strategic bids, frame work opportunities and commercial negotiations
- Drive the growth of Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Cyber Security and Digital Engineering capabilities in response to evolving customer demand
- Ensure Expleo remains visible, relevant and influential across the Marine and Defence marketplace
- Engineering & Technology Leadership
- Provide executive sponsorship across current and future engineering disciplines, ensuring Expleo has the capability, investment focus and leadership required to meet evolving customer and market demand
- Promote modern engineering approaches including Digital Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Systems Integration and technology-enabled transformation
- Champion innovation across emerging capability areas including cyber resilience, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies
- Foster collaboration across engineering and technology disciplines to deliver integrated customer solutions
- Operational Leadership
- Maintain accountability for delivery performance across all programmes, projects and customer contracts
- Ensure safe, effective and commercially successful delivery aligned with customer expectations
- Drive operational excellence, governance, quality, productivity and continuous improvement
- Ensure the organisation has the capability, capacity and leadership required to meet current and future demand
- Act as the senior escalation point for significant customer, business and delivery issues
- Leadership, People & Culture
- Lead and develop a substantial organisation comprising both permanent employees and contingent resources
- Build a high-performing leadership team capable of delivering sustainable growth and long-term success
- Shape workforce strategy, organizational design and succession planning activities
- Create an environment that attracts, develops and retains exceptional engineering and technology talent
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement
- Champion employee engagement, inclusion, wellbeing and professional development
- Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, security, contractual and corporate governance requirements
- Maintain robust risk management and governance frameworks across the business
- Oversee commercial, operational and reputational risk management
- Champion a culture of integrity, accountability and safety
- Degree qualified in Engineering, Technology, Business or a related discipline
- Postgraduate qualification or Executive Leadership education desirable
- Professional engineering, leadership or business accreditations advantageous
- Current SC clearance required, or ability to obtain and maintain SC clearance as a condition of the role
- Demonstrated success defining and delivering growth strategies that drive revenue, profitability and market expansion
- Proven track record of full P&L ownership and commercial accountability
- Background operating within highly regulated sectors such as Defence, Marine, Aerospace, Energy or Government
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders across customer, partner and government communities
- Marine, Maritime, Naval or Defence sector leadership experience
- Knowledge of Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Cyber Security and Digital Engineering service delivery
- Understanding of emerging technologies including AI, autonomy, cyber resilience and model-based systems engineering
- Proven experience operating at Vice President, Business Unit Director, Sector Director or equivalent executive leadership level
- Significant experience leading large-scale engineering, technology, consulting or professional services organisations
- Experience developing and maintaining executive-level customer relationships that generate long-term business growth
- Strong experience leading strategic pursuits, major bids, framework opportunities and business development activities
- Experience driving organisational transformation, capability growth and change programmes
- Experience developing autonomous systems, digital engineering or advanced technology capabilities
- Experience securing and delivering strategically significant programmes within government or defence environments