Business Development Executive

The Candidate Recruitment Agency; Manchester; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International exposure

Competitive earning potential

Full training provided

Job summary

The Candidate Recruitment Agency is partnering with a fast-growing international B2B business in Manchester to recruit a Business Development Executive. You will drive lead generation, identify prospects and secure high-quality meetings for an overseas sales team.

This role suits a proactive, confident communicator who enjoys speaking to people, building relationships and turning conversations into opportunities.

Qualifications

• Previous sales or business development experience preferred.
• Ambitious, confident communicator with resilience.
• Willingness to learn quickly and make things happen.
• Graduates welcome.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify US prospective customers.
• Identify decision-makers and build targeted prospect lists.
• Generate opportunities via cold calling, email, and LinkedIn.
• Secure qualified meetings for overseas sales team.
• Maintain a consistent pipeline and hit outreach targets.
• Support meeting preparation and CRM updates.

Skills

Lead generation

Cold calling

CRM management

Relationship building

Tools

LinkedIn

Email outreach

Job description

We're working with an ambitious, fast-growing international B2B business looking to expand its commercial team in Manchester. With an established presence in the US market and exciting growth plans, the business is looking for a driven and confident Business Development Executive to help fuel its next stage of growth.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys speaking to people, building relationships and creating opportunities from scratch. You'll play a key role in identifying prospective customers, engaging decision-makers and securing high-quality meetings for an established overseas sales team.

This is a lead-generation-focused role, with one clear objective: finding the right prospects, starting meaningful conversations and creating opportunities that can turn into new business.

You'll research target companies, identify key contacts and use a combination of cold calling, email outreach and LinkedIn to build a strong pipeline of potential customers. Working closely with experienced sales leaders, you'll gain exposure to international markets, senior decision-makers and the commercial strategies behind winning new business.

Industry experience isn't essential. What matters most is your attitude, ambition and willingness to pick up the phone, learn quickly and make things happen.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Generation & New Business

• Research and identify prospective customers across the US market.
• Identify key decision-makers and build targeted prospect lists.
• Proactively generate opportunities through cold calling, email campaigns, LinkedIn and other outreach methods.
• Secure qualified meetings for the overseas sales team, ensuring prospects have genuine commercial potential.
• Build and maintain a consistent pipeline of leads and sales opportunities.
• Work towards agreed targets for outreach, qualified meetings and opportunity creation.

Prospect Research & Qualification

• Research target businesses to understand their operations, needs and potential challenges.
• Identify opportunities where the business's products and services could add value.
• Qualify prospects based on their requirements, potential value and suitability.
• Provide the sales team with relevant background information ahead of meetings.
• Nurture prospects who may not be ready to buy immediately, building relationships for future opportunities.
• Engage confidently with decision-makers and build rapport from the first conversation.
• Communicate the business's offering clearly and professionally.
• Work closely with senior sales colleagues to refine prospecting strategies and target the right opportunities.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and ensure follow-up activity is consistent.
• Support meeting preparation, pipeline reviews and wider business development activity.

Training & Development

• Complete a structured onboarding programme covering the business, its offering, customers and sales processes.
• Learn from experienced sales professionals and senior commercial leaders.
• Develop your skills in prospecting, objection handling, qualification and commercial communication.
• Take on greater responsibility as your confidence and experience grow.

What We're Looking For

We're much more interested in your potential, attitude and drive than whether you've worked in a particular industry before.

• Ambitious and competitive: You're motivated by targets, enjoy achieving results and want to progress.
• Confident communicator: You're comfortable picking up the phone, approaching new people and starting conversations.
• Resilient: You can handle rejection, learn from it and keep going.
• Proactive: You're happy researching prospects, finding opportunities and taking the initiative.
• Commercially curious: You enjoy understanding how businesses work and spotting ways to add value.
• Organised: You can manage your activity, follow up consistently and keep your pipeline up to date.
• Relationship-focused: You can build rapport quickly and communicate with people at different levels.
• A team player: You enjoy working collaboratively and contributing to shared goals.

Previous experience in business development, sales, recruitment, telesales, lead generation or another customer-facing role would be beneficial. Equally, graduates and candidates looking to start a career in sales are encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate the right attitude and enthusiasm.

Full training will be provided, so this is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build their commercial skills and develop a long-term career in business development.

Why Join?

International Exposure

Work with an established overseas sales team and gain valuable experience engaging with businesses and decision-makers in the US market, all while being based in Manchester.

Strong Earning Potential

Earn a £30,000 basic salary plus bonus, with the opportunity to increase your earnings as you develop and deliver results.

Learn From Experienced Sales Leaders

Work closely with senior commercial colleagues who can help you build your sales skills, develop your confidence and progress your career.

Real Opportunity to Progress

Join a business with ambitious growth plans, where there's scope to develop your responsibilities as the team and business continue to expand.

Be part of a business that values initiative, fresh ideas and people who take ownership of their work.

Potential for International Travel

As you develop in the role, there may be opportunities to visit overseas operations and meet colleagues or customers in person.

Ready to Get Started?

If you're ambitious, confident speaking to new people and excited by the idea of building a career in business development, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

Whether you've already gained experience in sales, recruitment or lead generation, or you're a graduate ready to make your mark, we'd love to hear from you.