Business Development Director

Harnham; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a highly motivated Business Development Director to drive growth in market research. This role involves managing the entire business development cycle, from prospecting to proposal writing and client relationship management. The successful candidate will engage with senior stakeholders across corporate and non-profit sectors, contributing to strategic plans and marketing initiatives. Join a dynamic team where your expertise will shape the future of business development in a thriving environment. If you have a strategic mindset and a passion for research, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in business development within a market research agency.
• Proven ability to develop and nurture client relationships over time.

Responsibilities

• Lead outbound sales efforts targeting key segments within corporate and non-profit.
• Manage the full sales cycle, from initial contact through to closing.

Skills

Business Development

Market Research

Client Relationship Management

Proposal Writing

Strategic Planning

Networking

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree (preferred)

Job description

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

This range is provided by Harnham. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from Harnham

Recruitment Consultant - Marketing & Insights

Business Development Director

London

Up to £120,000

We are working with a top research agency to find a highly motivated and commercially minded Business Development Director to join the growing team. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with a strong track record in market research business development, particularly within agency environments, to take ownership of high-value accounts and lead strategic growth efforts across both corporate and non-profit sectors.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the entire business development cycle — from outbound prospecting to proposal writing, deal negotiation, and long-term client relationship management. You will play a critical role in engaging senior stakeholders within corporate affairs and public engagement teams at organisations across the political, social, and non-profit landscapes.

You will also contribute to the development of strategic plans and marketing content, while collaborating closely with research colleagues to ensure our proposals and solutions are both commercially compelling and methodologically robust.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead outbound sales efforts targeting key segments within the corporate and non-profit landscape
• Develop and execute structured 3–6 month pursuit plans for high-value targets
• Manage the full sales cycle, from initial contact through to closing and account growth
• Produce high-quality, tailored proposals in collaboration with research teams
• Aim for an active schedule of 10+ face-to-face meetings per week
• Conduct regular account reviews and ensure ongoing client satisfaction
• Attend relevant industry events and represent the organisation externally
• Contribute to the creation of thought leadership and marketing content
• Consistently exceed commercial targets and KPIs

Candidate Profile

We are looking for someone with a strategic mindset, outstanding communication skills, and a deep understanding of how research can support corporate reputation, stakeholder engagement, and public affairs.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in business development within a market research agency
• Background in public opinion, reputation, or communications research
• Demonstrable experience in full-service research sales
• Proven ability to develop and nurture client relationships over time
• Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and decision-makers
• Strong written communication skills, particularly in proposal development
• Confident in networking and driving consistent face-to-face engagement
• Experience in actually conducting research (e.g., as a Research Manager or similar)

To Apply

To register your interest, please send your CV to Roshni Baillie to [e-mail] or click the Apply link on this page.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Sales and Business Development

• Industries

  Market Research

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Harnham by 2x

Get notified about new Director of Business Development jobs in London Area, United Kingdom.

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

London, England, United Kingdom 2 months ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Vice President, Business Development (Corporate)

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Senior Business Development Director, Europe

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

City Of London, England, United Kingdom £110,000.00-£120,000.00 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 4 months ago

Director of Government Business Development, EU/ME

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Senior Director Global Business Development Operations

Redbourn, England, United Kingdom 2 months ago

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Business Development Director - Financial Services

London, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago

Head of Business Development - Sustainability

Director, Growth/New Business (International)

London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Head of Business Development - Investigations & Intelligence

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Director of Business Development - UK & Europe

London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Director of Marketing And Business Development

London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Associate Vice President, Business Development (Corporate)

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Business Development Director – Family Offices, Endowments & Charitable Foundations

London, England, United Kingdom 2 hours ago

Business Development Director – UK (London)

London, England, United Kingdom 2 months ago

Business Development Director Europe- Eurofins Central Laboratory

London, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.