Business Development Director (Cross-Industry) - AI Business Solutions

Kainos; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consultancy in Northern Ireland is looking for a Business Development Manager to spearhead AI Business Solutions. The role involves driving growth through AI-enabled transformations, building long-term relationships with senior clients, and leading consultative sales. Ideal candidates should have proven success in new business sales within the Microsoft ecosystem and a strong track record in relationship management. This position offers growth potential in a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Benefits

Diverse and inclusive culture

Opportunities for career progression

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience in new business sales or business development.
• Experience selling within the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Strong track record of building long-term senior client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business growth through AI-enabled transformations.
• Maintain long-term relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Shape opportunities combining CRM, ERP, and AI.

Skills

New business sales

Relationship building

Commercial acumen

Consultative selling

Strong communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Power Platform

Azure AI

Job description

Join Kainos and Shape the Future

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators – driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting‑edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people‑first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

An exciting opportunity for a high‑performing business development professional to join a rapidly growing AI Business Solutions team, focused on delivering AI‑enabled Business Process and Workforce transformation across multiple industries. This role is for hunters who lead with client challenges, outcomes, and long‑term senior client relationships, and who enjoy selling complex, consultative transformation programmes rather than products.

The Role

As a Business Development Manager / Principal – AI Business Solutions, you will operate as a senior individual contributor within the AI Business Solutions team. You will lead new business acquisition, shape opportunities from first conversation through to signed contract, and build long‑term senior client relationships across multiple sectors, supported by pre‑sales, delivery, and Microsoft partner teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business growth through AI‑enabled business and workforce transformation across multiple industries.
• Act as the primary seller and long‑term relationship owner for senior client stakeholders.
• Build, maintain, and expand long‑term senior client relationships, including executive and C‑suite leaders.
• Lead consultative, challenge‑led sales conversations focused on client outcomes rather than technology‑first selling.
• Position AI‑enabled Business Applications transformation, including:
  • Customer engagement and service platforms
  • Supply chain and operational solutions
  • Low‑code and workflow automation
  • Contact Centre and customer experience transformation
• Lead conversations around Copilot and generative AI adoption, spanning:
  • Customer‑facing roles (sales, service, contact centre)
  • Back‑office and operational teams
  • Workplace and workforce productivity transformation
• Shape opportunities that combine CRM, ERP, low‑code, contact centre, Copilot, data, and AI into coherent transformation programmes.
• Own sales pipeline, opportunity strategy, and commercial negotiations.
• Work closely with pre‑sales and delivery teams, leveraging their expertise while retaining ownership of the client relationship and commercials.
• Partner with Microsoft and ecosystem partners to drive joint pipeline and co‑sell opportunities.
• Contribute to cross‑industry GTMs, propositions, and thought leadership.
• Represent the business externally as a trusted AI Business Solutions advisor.

Requirements

We are looking for a commercially driven, relationship‑led seller with experience selling enterprise‑wide transformation. You will have:

• Proven experience in new business sales or business development within the private sector, selling technology, consulting, or transformation services.
• Demonstrable depth of experience in at least one of our three core AI Business Solutions focus areas:
  • AI for Efficiency – improving productivity, automation, and operational performance
  • AI for Growth – enhancing customer engagement, experience, and revenue
  • Change & Adoption – enabling successful AI and Copilot adoption across the workforce
• Experience selling within the Microsoft ecosystem, including Dynamics 365 (CRM & ERP), Power Platform, Microsoft Copilot, M365, Azure AI, and related technologies.
• Practical experience shaping opportunities involving Copilot, generative AI, and AI‑assisted workplace or workforce transformation.
• A strong track record of building long‑term senior client relationships.
• Proven success closing complex, consultative, multi‑stakeholder deals.
• Strong commercial acumen, including pricing and contract negotiation.
• Experience working effectively with pre‑sales, architects, and delivery teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate autonomously in a high‑growth, competitive private sector environment.

Why Join Us

• Join a rapidly growing AI Business Solutions team.
• Sell end‑to‑end business and workforce transformation, not siloed technology.
• Own strategic, long‑term senior client relationships.
• Be supported by strong pre‑sales, delivery, and Microsoft partnerships.
• Freedom to sell outcomes spanning CRM, ERP, Contact Centre, low‑code, and Copilot.
• Clear progression from Manager to Principal and into broader leadership roles as the practice scales.

Embracing our differences

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that is as diverse as the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive. We actively seek out talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them who they are. We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field.

Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way, so if you require any accommodations or adjustments, we encourage you to reach out.

We understand that everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can ensure that our recruitment process is tailored to your needs.