Defence Advisory – Expression of Interest – Expression of Interest

About Us

K39C is a capability and advisory business supporting Defence across engineering, acquisition and strategy. With established operations in Australia and a growing presence in the UK, we work across government and industry to help clients navigate complex Defence challenges and turn intent into practical outcomes.

Our UK-Australia footprint is increasingly relevant as Defence cooperation between both countries deepens, particularly through AUKUS and the wider growth in bilateral capability, industrial and technology collaboration.

Expression of Interest

This is an expression of interest rather than recruitment against a specific immediate vacancy. K39C is building a pool of experienced Defence advisory professionals whom we can engage as suitable UK opportunities arise. By speaking with potential candidates in advance, we aim to understand where individual experience, networks and strengths are best suited, and to move quickly when the right opportunity emerges.

The Role

We are seeking expressions of interest from experienced professionals interested in supporting K39C’s growing UK Defence advisory business.

Our advisory work is deliberately broad and will vary according to client requirements and individual experience. Depending on your background, you may support work across capability development and acquisition, programme and project delivery, industry and market advisory, strategic analysis, stakeholder engagement and business development.

We are particularly interested in people who bring practical experience, sound judgement and credibility developed through working in, with or alongside Defence.

Potential Areas of Work

Depending on your skills, experience and the requirements of individual assignments, your work may include:

• Supporting Defence capability development and acquisition activity
• Supporting programme and project delivery across complex Defence environments
• Providing industry and market advisory support to Defence and Defence-sector clients
• Conducting strategic analysis and supporting senior decision-making
• Supporting stakeholder engagement across government, the Armed Forces and Defence industry
• Contributing to business development, client growth and the development of new advisory opportunities
• Supporting work relating to AUKUS and wider UK-Australia Defence collaboration
• Depending on experience, leading workstreams and managing client relationships
• Working alongside, and where required embedded within, client teams to support delivery

About You

We are open to candidates from a range of professional backgrounds, including the Armed Forces, Civil Service, Defence industry, consulting and other organisations that work closely with Defence.

You do not need to have followed a conventional consulting career. We are interested in people who can bring relevant experience into an advisory environment and apply it with judgement, curiosity and commercial awareness.

You are likely to demonstrate:

• Credible experience working in, with or alongside the Armed Forces or Defence industry
• Strong initiative and sound judgement and confidence working with senior stakeholders
• Curiosity and the ability to understand unfamiliar or complex problems quickly
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of how client needs translate into practical opportunities
• Humility to adapt across different clients, teams and problem sets
• A strong sense of service and commitment to national goals
• Experience of Defence procurement, capability delivery, operational environments or programme delivery would be advantageous
• Consulting experience is desirable but not essential if transferable skills are evident
• Relevant academic or professional qualifications are welcomed, but practical experience and demonstrated capability will be equally important

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of this work, successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance at SC as a minimum. Eligibility will depend on the requirements of the relevant programme and may include nationality and UK residency criteria. Some roles may require a higher level of clearance and may be subject to additional nationality restrictions arising from security or export-control requirements. Further information on UK national security vetting is available from UK Security Vetting (UKSV): 

Working Arrangements

Our advisory work supports flexible and hybrid working where programme and security requirements allow. At the same time, strong relationships are central to effective advisory work, and candidates should expect to spend time working directly with clients, including at client or Defence sites and, where appropriate, embedded within client teams.

Roles will be UK-based, with specific locations and travel requirements dependent on the assignment.

What We Offer

Depending on the role and assignment, opportunities may include:

• Varied advisory work across the UK Defence sector
• Early responsibility and a high degree of autonomy
• Exposure to senior Defence and industry decision-makers
• The opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of K39C’s UK business
• Exposure to UK-Australia Defence collaboration, including AUKUS-related opportunities
• Flexible and hybrid working where client, programme and security requirements allow
• Competitive salary
• Contributory pension scheme
• Professional development support and funded professional membership
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support

K39C is a veteran-owned business and an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.