Business Manager / Operations Lead | DefSec

Business Manager / Operations Lead

Reaktor's Defence & Security Solutions Business Unit is looking for an experienced Business Manager / Operations Lead to help build, manage and improve the operational foundations of our growing defence technology business.

If you have experience managing business operations in defence, security, government or similarly complex environments, enjoy bringing structure to organisations, and are comfortable working with senior stakeholders, you might just be what we're looking for.

Our Defence & Security Solutions business develops secure, mission-critical software solutions for defence and national security organisations. As we expand our international partnerships and customer engagements, we need someone who can ensure our internal operations, people, processes and resources are aligned with the needs of the business.

This is a hands-on operational leadership role. You will work closely with business leadership to establish efficient ways of working, improve visibility across business activities and ensure the organisation has the structure and capability required to deliver successfully.

Your daily tasks may include:

• Managing and improving day-to-day business operations across the Defence & Security Business Unit

• Working closely with senior leadership to translate business priorities into practical operational plans and actions

• Establishing clear operational processes, responsibilities, reporting structures and governance

• Identifying operational gaps, skills shortages and organisational needs as the business grows

• Coordinating business planning, operational reporting, budgets and resource forecasting

• Improving visibility of business performance, operational risks, capacity and organisational priorities

• Supporting the development and implementation of policies, procedures and ways of working appropriate for defence and security environments

• Coordinating with internal teams, external partners and stakeholders to ensure effective business operations

• Identifying inefficiencies, resolving operational blockers and driving continuous improvement

• Supporting organisational development and helping the business scale without unnecessary complexity

• Supporting workforce planning, resource allocation, headcount planning and recruitment priorities

• Working with Talent Acquisition and business leaders to define recruitment requirements and support hiring decisions

To thrive in this position, you'll need:

Must-haves

• Strong experience in business management, operations management or operational leadership within a complex organisation

• Experience working within defence, national security, government or a similarly regulated and security-sensitive environment

• Proven ability to establish, manage and improve operational processes, business structures and ways of working

• Experience supporting senior leadership with business planning, operational decisions and organisational priorities

• Experience coordinating multiple teams, stakeholders and competing business priorities

• Experience with business transformation, organisational restructuring or operational improvement programmes

• Ability to identify operational problems, introduce practical solutions and take ownership of implementation

• Good commercial and financial awareness, including budgets, resources and operational performance

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to bring structure to ambiguous or evolving situations

• A hands-on and proactive approach, with the confidence to challenge existing processes and recommend improvements

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work with senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams

• Fluent verbal and written English skills to collaborate in an international environment

• Previous experience establishing operational processes within a growing or evolving business unit

• Ability to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role

We do not have a strict requirement around years of experience, but this position requires someone who has already taken meaningful ownership of business operations and can operate independently in a complex environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience supporting a growing technology business, consultancy or professional services organisation

• Familiarity with business reporting, resource planning or operational management systems

• Understanding of workforce planning, resource management and organisational capability requirements

• Experience supporting recruitment, workforce development and organisational design

• Understanding of commercial contracts, supplier relationships and procurement processes

• Experience working across geographically distributed or international teams