Aerospace and Defence
The Aerospace & Defence sector is entering a sustained growth cycle, driven by rising geopolitical tensions, a renewed focus on sovereignty, and increasing defence budgets.
Organisations must simultaneously advance their critical programmes (cyber security, space, defence systems), strengthen operational excellence, and secure their supply chains, while driving profound industrial, digital and cultural transformation within increasingly demanding regulatory and authorisation frameworks, particularly those governing the Defence Industrial and Technological Base (BITD).
In this increasingly complex environment, human capital has become a strategic asset. Leaders capable of succeeding in this context—combining technical expertise, strategic vision and the ability to engage their teams—are becoming increasingly scarce in a labour market where demand already far exceeds supply.
Attracting these hybrid profiles, preparing for generational renewal, and retaining critical expertise in the face of growing international competition have therefore become decisive challenges. They will directly determine the sector’s ability to transform and deliver on its ambitions.
Discover our briefing paper on HR transformations and challenges in the aerospace and defence sectors. (in french)
Our support
At Grant Alexander, we fully embrace our role as consultants, working closely with our clients on their strategic challenges.
We build a close, trusting relationship with you, based on active listening and a deep understanding of your culture, your market, and your context.
This approach enables us to gain an accurate understanding of your challenges—whether industrial, organisational or people-related—and identify the most effective strategies to address them.
As an independent French group, we bring together nearly 100 colleagues with diverse backgrounds to provide you with comprehensive support, combining complementary expertise and synergistic talent to serve your projects.
Our Commitment to the Aerospace and Defence Sectors
Through our dedicated practice, we support organizations of all sizes- including major clients, equipment manufacturers, and subcontractors – operating in sensitive environments characterized by significant sovereignty and security challenges.
We operate with rigor, discretion, and dedication during critical phases, whether they involve transformation, acceleration, or emergency situations.
From direct recruitment and interim management to assessment, coaching, change management, and operational consulting, we design and implement tailored solutions to identify and attract strategic talent, navigate critical junctures, and sustainably strengthen your teams’ leadership—all to drive your performance.
Our areas of expertise
EXECUTIVE
SEARCH
EXECUTIVE
INTERIM
LEADERSHIP
ADVISORY
VALUE
CREATION
Our services are based on a pragmatic consulting approach that combines analysis, operational implementation, and team engagement, tailored to the specific characteristics of your sector and your constraints.
By your side, wherever you are
With offices in several major cities in France—including Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Toulouse, Aix-Marseille, and Lille—as well as in Switzerland—in Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg, and Zurich— we support your recruitment needs at regional, national, and international levels.
We are also the exclusive partner in both countries for InterSearch, the global leader in executive recruitment, which allows us to provide you with access to the best talent worldwide through our network of partners in more than 50 countries.
Our Ecosystem-Based approach
As an associate member of Aerospace Valley—a competitiveness cluster bringing together more than 850 organisations in the aerospace, space, and embedded systems sectors—Grant Alexander is at the heart of a key industrial ecosystem in Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Through its involvement in the cluster’s strategic committee, the group is strengthening its ties to the trends and key players in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Our latest missions
Our recruitments – Executive Search
Business Unit Leaders, Managing Directors, and Business Line Managers for international groups in the aerospace, defence, and embedded electronics sectors
CTO, R&D Engineering, IT, and cyber security roles for companies developing critical technologies and advanced digital solutions
Industrial, operations, procurement, and supply chain leadership roles for industrial companies working with complex equipment and systems
Program, project, quality, risk, and assurance managers for organisations involved in large-scale programs in the aerospace, space, and related systems sectors
Sales and after-sales roles, in France and internationally, for groups specialising in propulsion, services, and equipment
Cross-functional roles: HR, finance, communications, and legal within industrial groups in the defence, aerospace, and logistics sectors
Our support – Leadership Advisory
For an international defence and electronics systems group:
Leadership assessment for a VP of Procurement
Team workshop for a Purchase Department
Coaching for a VP of M&A
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For a major player in the aerospace industry:
Leadership assessment and Executive Committee integration for a VP of Quality
Career review for an entity’s Chief Financial Officer
Coaching for an entity’s Chief Operating Officer
Assessment and support for an executive committee
Our interim assignments – Executive Interim
Director of Operations, Director of Production, Director of Quality for a manufacturer of precision castings for aircraft turbine engines
UAP Director, Supply Chain Director for a company specialising in avionics systems and onboard equipment
Business Development Director for a manufacturer of satellites and space systems
Supply Chain Director, Master Planning Director, and Design Office Director for a manufacturer of high-performance rotary solutions for the defense and aerospace industries
Production Director, Quality Director, Supply Chain Director, and Site Director for a company specialising in components and fasteners for aerospace assembly
Production Director, Supply Chain Director, and Industrialisation Director for a company providing industrial services and equipment for the aerospace sector (aerostructures, systems, MRO)
Our experts
Behind every project, there’s a team working alongside you and a strong relationship built over time.
Through our attentiveness, agility, and high standards, we develop solutions that are fully tailored to your challenges.
It is within this sincere and committed relationship of trust that our expertise truly comes into its own, enabling us to bring your projects to life and help you achieve your goals.
