Business Development Executive

Universal Business Team; Northampton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Business Team in Northampton is seeking a Business Development Executive/Researcher to uncover opportunities in commercial fit-out and workspace solutions. You'll research, prospect, and build relationships with senior decision-makers to create a strong pipeline for the commercial team.

This office-based role offers a salary of £28,000–£40,000 DOE plus a performance-related bonus. You'll work Monday to Friday, with flexible start times, and join a fast-growing specialist serving

Qualifications

• Strong research and market intelligence gathering skills.
• Ability to identify and qualify opportunities.
• Excellent communication with senior stakeholders.
• Organised, target-driven, resilient in outbound outreach.
• Experience using LinkedIn Sales Navigator and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

• Research and qualify prospective customers in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and industrial sectors.
• Use CRM platforms, LinkedIn and prospecting tools to identify key contacts and opportunities.
• Conduct outbound outreach to directors, owners and senior decision-makers.
• Generate Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and support progression of opportunities.
• Build detailed account profiles including ownership structures and growth plans.
• Nurture long-term relationships with prospects and referral partners.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, activity reporting and pipeline updates.
• Identify early buying signals and future project opportunities ahead of competitors.

Skills

Research

Prospecting

Relationship-building

CRM platforms

LinkedIn

Tools

CRM platforms

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Job description

Business Development Executive/Researcher - Commercial Fit-Out & Workspace Solutions

Location: Northampton (Office-Based)
Salary: £28,000 - £40,000 (DOE) + Performance related bonus (OTE £10k, uncapped)
Hours: Monday to Friday 07:30am - 4:30pm (Flexibility as required)
Holidays: 22 days + additional 1 day birthday leave + statutory

Are you naturally curious, commercially minded, and skilled at uncovering opportunities others miss? Do you enjoy researching businesses, building relationships, and playing a key role in driving growth without the pressure of a traditional hard-sales environment?

If this sounds like you, a leading specialist in commercial warehouse and industrial fit-out solutions is looking for a Business Development Executive / Researcher to join their growing team.

About the Company

This ambitious and fast-growing business delivers turnkey warehouse, logistics and office fit-out projects across the UK. Working with organisations in the logistics, warehousing and manufacturing sectors, they help businesses transform and scale their operational spaces quickly and efficiently. With significant growth plans and increasing demand for their services, they are investing heavily in their business development capabilities to support the next stage of expansion.

What’s the Role About?

This is not your typical business development position.

You’ll focus on identifying future opportunities before projects are actively being tendered, using a combination of research, prospecting and relationship-building activities to create a strong pipeline for the commercial team.

• Research and identify businesses that fit the ideal customer profile.
• Build relationships with senior decision-makers across target organisations.
• Generate qualified opportunities and meetings for the sales team.
• Gather valuable market intelligence and commercial insight.
• Position the business as the preferred partner when future projects arise.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and qualify prospective customers across logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and industrial sectors.
• Use CRM platforms, LinkedIn and prospecting tools to identify key contacts and opportunities.
• Conduct outbound phone, email and LinkedIn outreach to directors, owners and senior decision-makers.
• Generate Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and support the progression of opportunities through the sales funnel.
• Build detailed account profiles including ownership structures, growth plans and operational requirements.
• Nurture long-term relationships with prospects and referral partners.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, activity reporting and pipeline updates.
• Identify early buying signals and future project opportunities ahead of competitors.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Confident communicating with senior stakeholders and business leaders.
• Naturally inquisitive with strong research and investigative skills.
• Organised, detail-oriented and comfortable managing multiple opportunities.
• Resilient and professional when conducting outbound outreach.
• Relationship-focused and commercially aware.
• Motivated by targets, growth and delivering measurable outcomes.

Experience in business development, lead generation, appointment setting, account management or sales support would be advantageous, although attitude, curiosity and drive are equally important. Experience using LinkedIn Sales Navigator, CRM systems or prospecting tools would also be beneficial.

What’s in it for you?

• Join a growing business with ambitious expansion plans.
• Clear progression opportunities into Business Development, Sales or Account Management.
• Work closely with senior leadership and gain valuable commercial exposure.
• Competitive salary with performance-related bonus potential.
• Supportive, collaborative and entrepreneurial team environment.
• Opportunity to develop highly transferable sales, research and relationship-management skills.

If you’re looking for a role where your research skills, commercial awareness and relationship‑building ability can make a direct impact on business growth, we’d love to hear from you.