Business Development Director

National Skills Agency; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading national organisation is seeking a commercially driven Business Development Director to join their Senior Leadership Team. This high-impact role involves leading business development strategy, driving revenue and membership growth, and securing high-value partnerships across the training and apprenticeships landscape. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in sales leadership within relevant sectors and possess strong stakeholder engagement skills. This position is home based and offers significant opportunities for national influence and impact.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years' experience in senior sales, business development, or partnerships roles.
• Strong track record in the training, apprenticeships, or workforce development sectors.
• Proven experience scaling high-performing sales teams and delivering against ambitious growth targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the national business development strategy.
• Identify, secure, and manage high-value commercial opportunities.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing sales and account management team.

Skills

Sales Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Negotiation Skills

Strategic Thinking

Job description

Home based role)

About the Role

We are supporting a leading national organisation in appointing a commercially driven Business Development Director to join their Senior Leadership Team. This is a high-impact, strategic role suited to an experienced leader with a proven track record of scaling business development functions, driving ambitious revenue and membership growth, and securing high-value partnerships across the training and apprenticeships landscape.

You will take full ownership of national business development strategy, leading a high-performing team while shaping the organisation's wider growth plans. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the organisation's national reach, sector influence, and commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of the national business development strategy.
• Drive ambitious growth across membership, partnerships, and commercial services.
• Contribute to organisational strategy as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Commercial Growth & Partnerships

• Identify, secure, and manage high-value commercial opportunities including:
• Sponsorship and strategic partnerships
• CSR initiativesNew revenue-generating products and services
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across employers, training providers, industry bodies, and government organisations.
• Represent the organisation at national industry events, forums, and high-level meetings.

Team Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing sales and account management team.
• Establish clear performance KPIs, driving accountability and continuous improvement.

Operational & Performance Management

• Use data and market insights to drive decision-making and pipeline development.
• Oversee forecasting, reporting, and budgeting for all business development activities.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality service to members, partners, and key accounts.

About You - Experience & Skills

Essential

• 7-10 years' experience in senior sales, business development, or partnerships roles.
• Strong track record in the training, apprenticeships, or workforce development sectors.
• Proven experience scaling high-performing sales teams and delivering against ambitious growth targets.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and influencing abilities.
• Experience working with senior leaders in large employers, training providers, and sector bodies.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute with a growth mindset.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to turn ideas into action.
• Inspirational leadership style with strong communication skills.
• Highly organised and comfortable managing national travel and multi-stakeholder demands