Business Development Executive

The Growth Company; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional inward investment agency is looking for a Business Development Executive to enhance investor relations and support job creation in Greater Manchester. You will manage inquiries, deliver core services to investors, and coordinate promotional activities. Ideal candidates will have experience in international business, strong project management skills, and exceptional communication abilities. This role is critical in driving inward investments and supports the broader economic landscape of the region.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Inclusive recruitment process

Qualifications

• Experience working within international business environments.
• Project management skills to oversee complex initiatives.
• Understanding of global trade and investment issues.
• Familiarity with UK government international strategy.

Responsibilities

• Project manage delivery of MIDAS services to new investors.
• Provide administrative support and prepare regular reports.
• Manage and report on investment pipeline.
• Organise investor visits to Greater Manchester.

Skills

Exceptional communication and presentation skills

Good organisational and analytical abilities

Proficiency in IT systems and data management

Understanding of sales processes

Job description

Are you ready to showcase Greater Manchester to a global business audience?

MIDAS, the region’s award‑winning inward investment agency, is seeking a Business Development Executive to join its dynamic team supporting UK and international companies to establish operations and create jobs in Greater Manchester.

Focused on supporting our in‑market teams, this role will manage new investment enquiries, deliver core services to potential investors, and help achieve annual inward investment targets, whilst also providing administrative and reporting support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project manage delivery of MIDAS services to new investors, supporting annual inward investment and job creation targets.
• Provide administrative support for the in‑market programme including tracking budgets and preparing regular activity and progress reports.
• Manage and report on pipeline from enquiry to completion, maintaining CRM records and producing management reports.
• Provide admin and logistical support for in‑market activity and outbound missions with business development teams.
• Organise investor visits to Greater Manchester, delivering tailored programmes and support.
• Collaborate with marketing to deliver promotional activity across key sub‑sectors.
• Conduct research and lead generation, monitoring FDI alerts and other data sources for new investment opportunities.
• Coordinate finances and partnerships, liaising with finance, contractors, universities, and GC partners to enhance services and propositions.

About you:

• Experience working within international business environments, either in the UK or overseas.
• Project management skills, with the ability to oversee complex initiatives from start to finish.
• Understanding of global trade and investment issues, and their impact on business development.
• Awareness of Greater Manchester’s social, economic, and political landscape to support informed decision‑making.
• Familiarity with UK government international strategy, with knowledge in this area considered highly desirable.
• Results‑oriented and deadline‑driven, consistently delivering outputs to a high standard.
• Professional, personable, and principled, demonstrating integrity and high levels of probity in all interactions.

Skills Required:

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Good organisational and analytical abilities, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in complex tasks.
• Experience in managing heavy workloads and consistently delivering against objectives.
• Strong balance of autonomy and collaboration, thriving independently while contributing effectively to teams.
• Proficiency in IT systems and data management, with confidence in handling and interpreting information.
• Skilled in research and information collation, supporting informed decision‑making and proposition development.
• Experience in writing reports, and impactful presentations.
• Understanding of sales processes, with experience in sales or sales support roles.

We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.

At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate.

Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.

We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.

If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.

We also aim to make our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. If you need reasonable adjustments or have any general enquiries at any stage or the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] or call us on 0161 237 4447.

Examples include:

• Meeting the hiring manager or touring the venue in advance
• Extra time for tasks
• Interview questions shared beforehand
• Accessibility software or equipment for assessments

We’re proud to support the Ban the Box campaign, which helps people with convictions access job opportunities. As part of this, we’ve removed questions about convictions from the initial application stage.

GC is committed to fostering a culture of flexibility and agile working. Many roles will increasingly support full agile arrangements. If you require more permanent flexibility, we encourage you to discuss this during your interview so your request can be considered early in the process.

All GC colleagues will work inline with the Health & Safety at work act and the GC Health & Safety Policy.