Commercial Lead - Manchester

Commercial Lead - Manchester Commercial Lead at a venture-backed deep-tech firm: define how Optera goes to market across its portfolio — and share materially in the upside that follows. Commercial Lead, Venture-backed deep-tech | Manchester | Full-time Optera is an early-stage UK deep-tech business operating across a portfolio of related capabilities in space and defence. We are backed by experienced institutional investors and supported by a board with deep sector credibility. Our active business lines sit at different points on the maturity curve — from a near-term revenue-generating space domain awareness business (Astracyte) through to longer-cycle on-orbit demonstrators and proprietary sensor technology that becomes available in roughly two years. The strategic intent is to build a saleable group: revenue is one indicator of progress, but commercial proof points, partnerships and pipeline are equally important to the eventual exit narrative. Purpose of the role The Commercial Lead is accountable for converting Optera’s technical advantage into a credible, defensible commercial position across its active business lines. You will own the go-to-market: positioning, target account strategy, partnerships with primes, and entry onto strategic programmes — starting in Western Europe and the UK, then expanding into the United States. The CEO will continue to lead the closure of in-flight opportunities through 2026; this role builds the forward pipeline and the commercial machinery that allows Optera to scale into 2027 and beyond. It is a senior, strategic seat shaping how the business enters a complex, IP-sensitive, regulated market — not a transactional sales role. Candidate profile We are looking for a senior business development leader with genuine credibility in space and/or defence, the discipline to operate in long-cycle, IP-sensitive markets, and a clear startup mindset. Essential Senior BD / commercial track record selling complex, high-value systems into space, defence or adjacent regulated markets. Demonstrable network among UK and Western European primes, defence customers and programme offices. Comfort with long sales cycles, formal tenders, complex procurement and multi-stakeholder governance. UK work visa essential. No relocation or sponsorship available. Thanks Why this role: You'll see and shape every part of the business — commercial, technical, financial and cultural — at the moment it scales. There is a genuine path to broader operational leadership over time, and the equity case that goes with it. Compensation Competitive base salary benchmarked to senior space/defence BD roles in the UK market. Performance-related commission tied to qualified pipeline conversion and signed contract value. Standard UK workplace pension at the statutory minimum (employer contribution in line with auto-enrolment requirements). Meaningful equity participation as the principal long-term upside, calibrated to seniority and stage . #Hiring #commercial #DeepTech #SpaceTech #Defence #Manchester #Operations #StartupJobs Department GTM Roles Remote status Hybrid About Foundation Partners A People team built for ambitious businesses The old model for People & Talent doesn’t work for today's businesses. We've built a better one. Traditionally, early-stage Founders had two options: handle People & Talent themselves, losing precious time they should be spending on product or go-to-market, or hire a generalist, expected to cover everything from culture to recruitment to performance. We offer a more impactful alternative: A fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery, ready to start driving impact for your business in weeks, not months. Founded in 2023 Co-workers 28