Senior Marketing Lead, Defence

Senior Marketing Lead, Defence

AECOM has an established track record of delivering programmes of critical national importance in defence, positioning the business as a leading global professional services consultancy in the sector.

With the sector of strategic importance to AECOM, and a strong outlook for growth in 2026 and beyond, there is an opportunity for a new Strategic Marketing Lead, to support growth across the UK, Europe and India. This senior role is accountable for accelerating growth in one of the region's highest priority sectors, driving client-centric marketing strategies that elevate AECOM's brand and support work winning across priority Defence accounts through disciplined, insight-led strategic marketing.

Sitting on the Defence Sector Leadership Team, and operating as a trusted, senior partner to Defence leadership, Client Account Managers, Growth and Government Relations, this role translates sector ambition into focused, integrated marketing strategies that directly support priority accounts, pipeline, sharpen differentiation, and increase relevance with senior decision-makers.

What success looks like

• The Defence brand is more visible, differentiated and credible across UK, Europe & India.
• Defence marketing activity is clearly aligned to priority accounts and growth ambition.
• Marketing contributions demonstrably support pipeline development, work winning and client retention.
• Defence leadership views marketing as a strategic growth partner, not a support function.

Key Accountabilities:

• Act as strategic marketing partner to UK, Europe & India Defence leadership.
• Drive brand-based marketing aligned to priority Defence accounts.
• Link marketing activity to pipeline, work winning and retention.
• Maintain an actionable view of defence procurement and influencers across the UK, Europe and India, including UK MOD, Single Services (RN, Army, RAF), equivalent Europe and India defence bodies and OEMs; proactively track and analyse market, policy and capability trends to shape campaigns, positioning and priority pursuits.
• Work closely with Client Account Managers to champion the voice of the client and articulate the desired client experience across the business.

• Synthesize insight from clients and the market to develop marketing objectives, strategy and plans aligned to business goals.
• Determine the annual marketing budget required to deliver the strategic marketing plan and provide quarterly visibility of spending with performance analysis.
• Defining and delivering integrated multi-channel marketing plans (events, thought leadership, digital marketing collateral, media relations).
• Translate complex technical capability into compelling, credible narratives for Defence audiences.
• Manage and measures activities that deliver enhanced client engagement and experience.
• Define success measures and KPIs, evaluate performance using insight and analytics, and recommend improvements to increase effectiveness.

• Influence across a complex matrix without direct authority.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders.
• Represent Defence marketing strategy in senior leadership forums.

Qualifications

Here's what you'll need

• Significant (10 years minimum) defence sector experience essential.
• Significant integrated marketing experience, pivoting between strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
• Understanding of strategic business drivers and correlation with marketing strategy.
• Client centric attitude, embracing the company brand and values.
• Strong capabilities in communication skills, stakeholder management, storytelling, and content creation, B2B campaign management and delivery of marketing programmes with a focus on results.
• A Degree is required, a Master's or MBA in a relevant discipline such as Marketing, Defence studies or International Relations would be advantageous.
• Experience of working within a global matrix structure with large numbers of technical thinkers would be beneficial.
• Digital marketing skills and experience with thought leadership campaigns and account-based marketing are highly desirable.
• Excellent copywriting, editing and presentation skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively as part of the regional team
• Understanding of GDPR and ability to advocate best practice to ensure compliance.
• A preparedness to undergo UKSV Security Clearance.