2024 Sales, Marketing & Commercial Graduate

The opportunity:

At Leonardo Helicopters (UK), we have a fantastic new opportunity for a Sales, Marketing & Commercial Business Graduate.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 7,000 are based in the UK.

As one of the leading helicopter manufacturers in the world, Leonardo Helicopters (UK) is part of the multi-national Leonardo Group of world class engineering companies. Leonardo Helicopters designs, develops and manufactures an unrivalled range of the most advanced helicopters, rotary wing technology, also developing mission and performance critical systems. Our helicopters are used extensively in civil and military roles worldwide. Primary operations are in the UK, Italy, Poland and the USA.

Programme Description:

Joining the 2-year Leonardo Graduate Scheme is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the next generation of our business. As a Graduate you will join us on an annual salary of £32,000 with a welcome bonus and a generous Temporary Accommodation Allowance if you move more than 40 miles away from home for the role.

Our 2-year Graduate Schemes consist of multiple 3-6 month placements across the appropriate Sales, Marketing & Strategy departments which may include Bidding, Proposals, Contract Management & Pricing preparation for both domestic & International Business. There will also be the opportunity to do an external placement elsewhere in the business to support you in gaining an all-rounded knowledge of the business.

The Graduate Scheme will start with an Induction into Leonardo, followed by a team building week and activities week to bond with the rest of the incoming Apprenticeship Trainees, IP students and Graduates. There will also be a Sales & Marketing specific induction to ensure that scheme requirements and expectations are fully established.

The successful candidate will ideally have a Business-related Degree and an interest in the Defence Sector, being able to demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team.

In conjunction with the Sales & Marketing Management Team and Early Careers Team, you will have the opportunity to input into the design of your training scheme to include placements which give an insight into the complete Helicopter Product Life Cycle and business operation.

The Sales, Marketing & Commercial function provides the link between the customer and our world class manufacturing and engineering business, focusing on In Service Delivery and Business Acquisition activities. The function delivers capability to the UK Armed Forces via an innovative contracting and through life approach by sustained skills and design authority support and by achieving best in class service provision. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to gain commercial experience supporting a variety of bids and long term contracts for key programmes, products and customers. 

At Leonardo we value individuals who continuously demonstrate a dedication to their personal development, and this is no different for our graduates. We have partnered with Coursera, the world leading online training platform that offers around 4,000 courses you can sign up to, according to your professional and personal interests. Self-directed learning thrives in this environment.

Responsibilities may include -

• Providing pre-contract support to the Bids & Proposals Team for new aircraft proposals and major aircraft upgrade proposals.
• Translate customer bid requirements within the business to respond to these requirements in full
• Co-ordinate bids inputs from across the organisation.
• Critically analyse proposals to ensure completeness
• Preparing and submitting proposals for ad hoc services (modifications, contractor working parties, technical services and training) to existing Customers
• Contributing to the Pricing of tasks
• Managing and controlling proposal, cost, price and risk reviews
• Development and evaluation of commercial proposals
• Managing the preparation of bid approvals.
• Managing and delivering against strict schedule requirements to meet Customer deadlines for bid submissions.
• Supporting contract negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion
• Understanding the offset requirements for each bid as required
• Managing new contracts and existing contracts.
• Contract Management including identification, analysis and resolution of issues.
• Establish effective working relationships with both internal and external interfaces

Qualifications required:

• Minimum 2:1 Bachelor's or Master's in Management, or Business-related subject.

Desired skills:

• An understanding of Leonardo markets, products, customers and suppliers.
• Ability to promote a culture of best practice and sharing of knowledge within the function and across the wider business.
• Holds an understanding of basic business finance, profit and loss, margin and mark up, escalation, foreign exchange.
• Has the ability to build effective and strong relationships with cross-functional colleagues, customers and suppliers.
• Has Microsoft Office knowledge including Microsoft Project and experience of using SAP.
• Possesses excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Is proactive, tenacious, results driven.
• Has a desire to learn and improve self.
• Will travel in the UK to customer and internal sites, with possible overseas travel.

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us
• Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Holidays: 25 days' plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)
• Lifestyle:  Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera
• Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member

Please note that in order to apply for this opportunity you must be eligible for UK Security Clearance. Normally this is to the level of Security Check (typically known as “SC”) for our business which includes having a minimum of 5 years permanent residency in the UK.

At Leonardo, we are strongly committed to supporting all our people, and, as society and the environment we work in changes, our approach to Inclusion and Diversity continues to evolve and adapt to reflect this. A culture of inclusion goes on to create an environment for greater collaboration, innovation and opportunities to develop as an organisation. If you are willing and able to commit to giving your best performance, you will find Leonardo a very rewarding place to work!  

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