Business Development and Engagement Manager

Queen's University Belfast; Belfast; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Belfast seeks a Business Development and Engagement Manager to enhance its services in sports. The role requires strong experience in business development, stakeholder management, and project oversight to achieve revenue targets. Candidates should have a primary degree and significant experience leading successful teams. The post requires managing substantial budgets and fostering relationships with various partners. Irregular hours may be necessary.

Benefits

Commitment to equality of opportunity

Access to staff networks for support

Qualifications

• Significant experience in business development or stakeholders.
• Experience managing substantial contracts/accounts.
• Experience in developing innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement a business development strategy.
• Oversee business change projects and delivery of marketing.
• Develop and deliver engagement programs with alumni.

Skills

Business Development

Stakeholder Management

Project Management

Team Leadership

Financial Management

Education

Primary degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject

Job description

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Business Development and Engagement Manager, Belfast

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Client:

Queen's University Belfast

Location:

Belfast, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

9d2ad10c7535

Job Views:

7

Posted:

12.08.2025

Expiry Date:

26.09.2025

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Job Description:

Reporting to the Head of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, the postholder will lead and implement an effective business development strategy to enhance Queen’s Sport's position within the sector as a service provider. The aim is to ensure agreed engagement and revenue targets are achieved to meet business objectives while maintaining the highest quality of customer services and relationship management across Queen’s Sport.

The postholder will play an integral role in supporting the strategic development of Student and Campus Experience with a central focus on Queen’s Sport. This role spans two Directorates: Student and Corporate Services (SCS), and Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy (AEP). It is an outward-facing and relationship development role with responsibility for establishing and developing strategic relationships and partnerships with sponsors, funders, commercial partners, sporting governing bodies, and non-governmental bodies.

They will be responsible for overseeing business change projects and development of business cases, systems and processes in the achievement of the Queen’s Sport business plan and for the co-ordination and delivery of marketing communications, customer services, student, staff and community led functions within Sport.

Additionally, the postholder will be responsible for developing, leading, and delivering a programme of engagement with alumni in support of Queen’s Sport and Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy (AEP).

About the person:

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and experienced professional with a strong background in Business Development or a comparable environment. They will bring a proven track record of leading and motivating teams to deliver high-quality, customer-focused services aligned with institutional goals. They will demonstrate a commitment to engagement activities, service excellence and continuous improvement.

The post-holder will have:

• A primary degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject.
• Significant relevant experience in business development or stakeholder role that will demonstrate: A track record in a senior management position leading and delivering successful achievement of revenue targets including new business development. Evidence of successfully managing contracts/accounts /third party partnerships of substantial value, in excess of £400k with good stewardship. Experience of working with or securing commercial revenue and funding within Sport. Leading and developing a multi-disciplinary team and motivating people. Leading the development of change and review to working practices and procedures that result in business process improvements. Management of forecasting and controlling multi-million-pound budgets and resources and a good understanding of financial management procedures. Experience of working under legislative regulations and the implications of non-compliance. Project management experience associated with the development, delivery, reporting and monitoring systems for stakeholder engagement programmes.
• Experience of developing innovative solutions and contributing to department objective planning.

There will be a requirement to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends as the job demands.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

What we offer:

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

Our current staff profile in Queen’s Sport shows an under-representation of Protestants and so we particularly welcome applications to this role from the Protestant community.

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application -