Business Development Lead - Offices

Cushman & Wakefield; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading real estate advisory firm seeks a Business Development Lead for its Occupier Representation team in London. This role involves identifying prospective office clients, engaging decision-makers, and leveraging market intelligence. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience in business development, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach to generating new business opportunities. The firm offers a dynamic work environment and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding or interest in the Central London office market.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in business development.
• Exposure to occupier representation or corporate real estate is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify potential occupier clients.
• Track corporate movements and lease expiries.
• Maintain and update a database of occupier prospects.
• Engage occupier decision-makers to introduce services.
• Qualify leads and support proposal preparation.
• Build relationships to generate new business.
• Represent at networking events.
• Collaborate with colleagues across divisions.
• Share market insights with teams.
• Track and report lead generation progress.

Skills

Understanding of Central London office market

Excellent communication skills

Commercially astute

Organizational skills

Proficient in CRM systems

5+ years in business development

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Market databases (e.g. CoStar)

Job description

Job Title

Business Development Lead - Offices

Job Description Summary

As part of Cushman & Wakefield’s Occupier Representation team, the Business Development role will be responsible for identifying and engaging prospective office occupiers across Central London who require strategic advice on their real estate portfolios. The role focuses on proactive lead generation, relationship development, and early-stage client engagement to support the team in delivering tailored workplace and transaction solutions to occupier clients.

Our key focus

To advise and negotiate on behalf of office tenants, helping them identify, secure, and structure the best real estate solutions to support their business goals in the Central London market.

Our positioning

The C&W Occupier Representation team have been market leaders in the sector for a number of years. The team has years of expertise across all levels and has the ability to secure and deliver on any opportunity. The Business Development role focuses on growing the team even further and leverage the knowledge and skill set of the team to increase future revenues.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify potential occupier clients with upcoming lease events, business changes, or workspace requirements in Central London.

• Track corporate movements, lease expiries, and sector trends to anticipate occupier demand.

• Maintain and update a database of occupier prospects and market intelligence using C&W systems and tools.

• Proactively engage occupier decision-makers (CEOs, CFOs, Heads of Real Estate, HR Directors) to introduce C&W’s advisory services.

• Qualify leads, arrange introductory meetings, and support the preparation of tailored pitch materials and proposals.

• Build and maintain relationships with occupiers, intermediaries, and industry contacts to generate new business opportunities.

• Represent C&W at networking events and conferences to raise brand awareness and develop new connections.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the London Offices Division, marketing, and global network to align business development activity.

• Share market insights and occupier intelligence with the wider Central London and EMEA teams.

• Track and report progress against lead generation and conversion KPIs, maintaining accurate records in CRM systems.

Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding or interest in the Central London office market and occupier landscape.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, confident engaging senior stakeholders.

• Commercially astute, proactive, and results driven.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Proficient in CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and market databases (e.g. CoStar).

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in business development, ideally in property or professional services.

• Exposure to occupier representation, corporate real estate, or workplace consulting is advantageous.

• Genuine interest in helping occupiers align real estate strategy with business goals.