Business Development Manager – South Korea

Job Description

Job Title: Business Development Manager – South Korea

Location: Seoul, South Korea; national and international travel required, including client sites, trade shows, and stakeholder meetings

Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

You will play a key role in driving business development activities across the South Korean defence market, building strategic relationships and supporting the identification and pursuit of new opportunities. Working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners, you will contribute to campaign development, provide market insight and help position relevant solutions in line with customer and programme requirements.

Core duties:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive network across the Korean defence sectors, including local industry, international competitors, armed forces, civilian procurement bodies, political stakeholders, research institutions, media, and academia
• Generate prospects by presenting capabilities to customers/end-users and prepare internal business cases
• Support business lines with development, campaign planning, and capture activities
• Provide regular reporting on in-country developments and activities to inform internal stakeholders
• Identify high-value opportunities in established and emerging sectors with long-term growth potential
• Interface with US and UK Embassies, Ministry of National Defence, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), Agency for Defence Development (ADD), and Korean defence companies
• Build and maintain long-term customer relationships to influence and expand opportunities for BAE’s Electronic Systems, including electronic warfare, navigation, precision guidance, and secure communication solutions
• Understand National Assembly and Ministry of National Defence budget cycles, DAPA acquisition processes and priorities, competitors, offsets, and stakeholder management plans
• Leverage relationships across government, military organisations, industry, and representatives to ensure engagement with key Korean stakeholders
• Travel to client sites, including international trips for trade shows and stakeholder engagement in the UK and US, along with domestic travel to support business lines

Essential Skills:

• 7 – 12 years experience working in the Korean defence market, encompassing industrial, governmental (e.g., DAPA, ADD), military, and political sectors
• Fluent spoken and written Korean, with at least intermediate spoken and written English
• Understanding of how military requirements are generated, along with DAPA procurement processes
• Awareness of compliance, governance, and ethical considerations when pursuing business opportunities
• Knowledge of markets such as electronic warfare, navigation systems, flight controls, precision guidance (GPS/PNT), data links, and secure communications is advantageous
• Familiarity with the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales process is advantageous

The Business Development Team:

You will join a dynamic, collaborative team at BAE Systems, operating at the heart of the Korean defence and space markets. The team engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Korean Armed Forces, government agencies, foreign embassies, and local industry partners. We focus on building lasting, long-term relationships and take a strategic approach to identifying new business opportunities and driving growth. With a culture that values innovation, professionalism, and cross-functional collaboration, you will work alongside experienced colleagues across multiple business areas, including Government Relations and Sales. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute your expertise, expand your network, and play a key role in shaping the future of defence and space initiatives in Korea.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 25th May 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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