Head of MSU

Job Description

MBDA has created its Corporate University, called the “Missile Systems University” (MSU), to sustain and further develop core capabilities for its domestic and export customers. The MSU defines and executes MBDA’s contractual obligations in transferring Weapon Systems Knowledge and Technologies to its customers and partners. Leading the future of defence capability development, we are looking for a Head of Missile Systems University (UK)

Salary: Circa £85,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: Requirement to be onsite in Stevenage (Hertfordshire) as and when needed to be with team. Extensive international travel for up to a week every month will likely be required.

Security Clearance: British Citizen

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: +30% of base salary
• Car Allowance
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Private Medical Insurance: Eligible employees are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit

MBDA is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to head the UK arm of our Missile Systems University (MSU) – a unique organisation responsible for transferring critical weapon systems knowledge and expertise to customers and partners around the world.

Reporting to the Group Head of MSU, you will lead the UK strategy, oversee the delivery of contractual commitments, support international export campaigns, and drive the development of innovative training and knowledge-transfer solutions. You will play a key role in protecting MBDA’s brand, financial margins and reputation, ensuring customer satisfaction, and supporting business growth across global defence programmes.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the UK Missile Systems University strategy in alignment with MBDA’s global vision.
• Supporting export contract wins through compelling Transfer of Knowledge solutions.
• Ensuring successful delivery of customer commitments, delivering realistic bids and risk assessing while protecting financial performance.
• Identify and mitigate contractual and delivery risks to avoid non-acceptance and penalties.
• Proactively escalate financial and reputational risks with mitigation or recovery plans.
• Developing new learning and capability-building offerings for international customers.
• Managing and developing a small specialist team and external partners.
• Represent MSU UK in HR, workforce planning and governance bodies ensuring MSU constraints, risks, and priorities are visible and arbitrated.
• Act as the official MSU UK representative towards UK export customers and partners, ensuring credibility, consistency, and professionalism.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with UK academic institutions, military organisations, training authorities, and research bodies, in line with Group MSU objectives.
• Ensure external engagements and partnerships do not introduce uncontrolled contractual, IP, export, or reputational risks.

What we are looking for

• Significant leadership experience within defence, aerospace, engineering, or another highly regulated environment with direct accountability for delivery and teams.
• Proven success in programme delivery, customer engagement, and team leadership.
• Experience working on export programmes, international customers, and complex contractual frameworks.
• Track record of contributing to business development, bid activities, or contract capture.
• Experience managing financial risk, margins, and penalty exposure in contract execution with excellent commercial awareness
• Ability to build strong relationships with customers, academic institutions, military organisations, and industry partners.
• Ability to travel extensively internationally, both in Europe and rest of the world is required. Travel could be for up to a week every month depending on requirements of business and customer. 1 to 2 weeks of notice will be given for all travel, but flexibility is required.

Why MBDA?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of defence knowledge transfer on a global scale, working at the intersection of strategy, innovation, customer engagement, and capability development within one of the world’s leading defence organisations.

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.