Location: Seoul, Korea
Only candidates with the legal right to work in
Korea
will be considered. Please note that applicants without this eligibility will not be considered.
Why join Rolls-Royce?
At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.
The Vice President, Defence Naval Korea will be responsible for leading Rolls-Royce’s naval defence business in Korea. This senior leadership role will drive customer engagement, government and industry partnerships, business development, and programme delivery across the Korean market. The VP will represent Rolls-Royce at the highest levels with Korean Navy, Ministry of National Defense, procurement agencies, and industry partners, while ensuring alignment with global Rolls-Royce Defence strategy.
What you will be doing:
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the Korea Naval Defence business strategy, aligned with Rolls-Royce Defence global priorities.
- Drive growth opportunities, local partnerships, and lifecycle support for naval propulsion and power systems.
- Monitor market dynamics, government policies, and competitor activities to anticipate risks and opportunities.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong executive-level relationships with Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and related ministries.
- Serve as the senior Rolls-Royce representative in Korea, ensuring trust, credibility, and responsiveness.
- Engage with shipbuilders, engineering partners, and local defence companies to foster strategic collaborations.
Business Development & Sales
- Lead pursuit of new programmes, upgrades, and sustainment opportunities in naval propulsion.
- Ensure compliant execution of bids, proposals, and offset/industrial participation commitments.
- Negotiate contracts and agreements in alignment with Rolls-Royce governance and commercial policies.
Programme Delivery & Operations
- Oversee delivery of existing naval projects, ensuring quality, timeliness, and customer satisfaction.
- Champion localization initiatives, supply chain partnerships, and technology transfer programmes.
- Manage risk, compliance, and governance across all defence naval operations in Korea.
Leadership & Representation
- Represent Rolls-Royce Korea Defence in regional and global leadership forums.
- Lead a cross-functional team, fostering collaboration, integrity, and performance excellence.
- Uphold Rolls-Royce values safety, innovation, and customer trust.
Position requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Defence Studies, Business, or related discipline (Master’s preferred).
- 15+ years of leadership experience in the defence/naval sector, with proven track record in Korea or Asia-Pacific markets.
- Deep understanding of Republic of Korea naval programmes, defence procurement processes, and industry ecosystem.
- Strong network with ROK Navy, DAPA, and major shipbuilders (e.g., DSME, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean).
- Experience in complex contract negotiations, offset/industrial cooperation, and international partnerships.
- Demonstrated ability to lead in a matrix environment with global stakeholders.
- Fluent in English and Korean (written and spoken).
Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.
Rolls-Royce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristics.
Relocation assistance is not available for this position.