Business Development Associate

DEBENHAMS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive bonus scheme

Company pension

Share schemes

Private medical cover and life assurer

On-site gym and fitness classes

Brand discounts across all brands

Wellbeing package

Dog-friendly offices

Ongoing learning and internal growth

On-site canteen

Season ticket loan

Job summary

Debenhams Group in Manchester is seeking an ambitious Business Development Associate to join our Marketplace team and expand our partner portfolio. You will identify, onboard and support new sellers, manage the sales pipeline, and collaborate with onboarding to launch partners successfully.

This fast-paced, high-growth role offers exposure across Debenhams Group brands and opportunities to build lasting partner relationships within a dynamic retail environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in business development, sales, account management or a similar commercial role.
• Can-do entrepreneurial attitude.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple opportunities simultaneously with attention to detail.
• Ideally 2yrs experience in sales / business development.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage prospective brand partners through outbound outreach, promoting the Debenhams Group marketplace proposition and supporting the acquisition of new sellers.
• Manage the sales pipeline, ensuring accurate records, timely follow-ups and clear visibility of partner progress.
• Build and develop strong relationships with prospective partners, acting as a key point of contact throughout the sales process.
• Work closely with the Onboarding teams to ensure a seamless handover of newly signed partners and support a successful launch.
• Ensure all onboarding requirements are completed accurately prior to handover and in line with business requirements.
• Produce pipeline, sales and performance analysis to support reporting, business decisions and category growth.
• Represent Debenhams Group at trade shows, industry events and partner meetings, generating new business opportunities and promoting the marketplace proposition.
• Deliver an exceptional partner experience by maintaining regular communication, providing timely updates and supporting partners throughout the acquisition journey.

Skills

Sales / BD experience

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Job description

THE ROLE

At Debenhams Group, we are on a journey of transformation, revitalising our brand, culture, and connection with colleagues and customers alike. In a fast-changing retail environment, effective and authentic communication is vital to building trust, aligning our teams, and amplifying the impact of our work across internal and external audiences. We are looking to hire an ambitious and energetic Business Development Associate to join the Marketplace team and help us expand our partner portfolio. You will be joining a growing Community Development function focused on growing and scaling our partner portfolio across all categories across the Group brands. You will be the front of the company and have the dedication and passion to build and develop strong relationships with partners. You will be identifying, onboarding and supporting new sellers onto Debenhams Group brands, helping them launch successfully and setting them up for long-term success. The team's mission is to make Brand partners successful across Debenhams Group brands and for us to be the Brand partner of choice. You will report directly to the Senior Business Development Manager and play a key role in supporting the continued growth of our brand portfolio across the Group brands. This role will be based out of our central Manchester office.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Identify and engage prospective brand partners through outbound outreach, promoting the Debenhams Group marketplace proposition and supporting the acquisition of new sellers.
• Manage the sales pipeline, ensuring accurate records, timely follow-ups and clear visibility of partner progress.
• Build and develop strong relationships with prospective partners, acting as a key point of contact throughout the sales process.
• Work closely with the Onboarding teams to ensure a seamless handover of newly signed partners and support a successful launch.
• Ensure all onboarding requirements are completed accurately prior to handover and in line with business requirements.
• Produce pipeline, sales and performance analysis to support reporting, business decisions and category growth.
• Represent Debenhams Group at trade shows, industry events and partner meetings, generating new business opportunities and promoting the marketplace proposition.
• Deliver an exceptional partner experience by maintaining regular communication, providing timely updates and supporting partners throughout the acquisition journey.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

• Previous experience in business development, sales, account management or a similar commercial role, ideally within ecommerce, marketplaces or retail.
• 'Can-do' entrepreneurial attitude
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable managing multiple opportunities simultaneously while maintaining excellent attention to detail.
• Ideally 2yrs experience in sales / business development

WORKING WITH US

At Debenhams Group we thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you're someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you'll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers-people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.

WHY JOIN US

Our mission is to create a workplace where everyone is respected, individual differences are valued, and people can be themselves at work - without exception.

2025 was a year of significant change for the Group. 2026 is about bold moves, real results and unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, you belong at Debenhams Group.

Our benefits include (subject to level and eligibility):

• Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover and life assurance
• Access to an on-site gym and free weekly Pilates, yoga and fitness classes
• Discount across all brands
• Comprehensive wellbeing package
• Dog-friendly offices (in selected locations)
• Ongoing learning and development with strong internal progression
• On-site canteen serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and hot drinks
• Free season ticket loan

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