Business Development Manager

S Knights Recruitment; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

S Knights Recruitment is seeking a Business Development Manager for the West Midlands, including Birmingham, to drive growth in the Employability and Skills sector. You will identify opportunities, secure contracts, and build strategic partnerships with employers, commissioners and funding bodies.

The role offers a fixed-term 12-month contract in the West Midlands, with a salary of £40,000–£48,000, and scope to shape regional growth and contribute to social impact.

Qualifications

• Proven business development experience in Employability or Skills sector.
• Experience securing contracts and growing business.
• Strong bid writing, tender management and proposal development skills.
• Experience engaging with employers, commissioners and public sector bodies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a regional business development strategy.
• Identify and secure new contracts and funding opportunities.
• Build relationships with employers, commissioners, and local authorities.
• Lead bid writing, tender submissions and proposal development.
• Identify opportunities across Restart, Welfare to Work, Skills and Apprenticeships.
• Collaborate with delivery teams to support programme mobilisation.
• Monitor funding opportunities, policy changes, and market developments.
• Manage a pipeline of opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Represent the organisation at networking events and stakeholder meetings.
• Contribute to long-term commercial growth and business planning.

Skills

Business development

Bid writing

Stakeholder management

Partnership development

Commercial awareness

Job description

Business Development Manager

Location: West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, and Worcester)

Salary: £40,000 – £48,000

Contract: Fixed-Term (12 Months)

Are you an experienced Business Development Manager, Bid Manager, Employer Engagement Manager, or Partnerships Manager with a proven track record in the Employability and Skills sector? Do you have experience securing new contracts, building strategic partnerships, and driving growth across Restart, Welfare to Work (W2W), Apprenticeships, and Skills programmes?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-led organisation where your commercial expertise will directly contribute to expanding employability services, securing new opportunities, and improving outcomes for individuals, employers, and communities across the West Midlands.

About the Organisation

Our client is a respected and growing organisation operating within the Employability, Skills, Welfare to Work, and Workforce Development sector. They work in partnership with employers, commissioners, local authorities, and public sector organisations to deliver high-quality programmes that support people into sustainable employment and career progression.

With a strong reputation for innovation, collaboration, and social impact, the organisation offers a supportive environment where employees are empowered to take ownership, influence strategy, and contribute to long-term growth.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £40,000 – £48,000
• Fixed-term opportunity with a respected organisation
• Opportunity to shape regional growth strategy
• Collaborative and supportive leadership team
• Autonomy to develop and manage your own pipeline
• Career development within the Employability and Skills sector

The Role

As Business Development Manager, you will lead business growth across the West Midlands by identifying new opportunities, securing contracts, and developing strategic partnerships across the Employability, Welfare to Work, Apprenticeships, and Skills landscape.

Working closely with internal stakeholders, commissioners, employers, and funding bodies, you'll develop innovative growth strategies while ensuring opportunities align with organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a regional business development strategy
• Identify and secure new contracts and funding opportunities
• Build strong relationships with employers, commissioners, and local authorities
• Lead bid writing, tender submissions, and proposal development
• Identify opportunities across Restart, Welfare to Work, Skills, and Apprenticeship programmes
• Collaborate with delivery teams to support successful programme mobilisation
• Monitor funding opportunities, policy changes, and market developments
• Manage a pipeline of business opportunities and strategic partnerships
• Represent the organisation at networking events and stakeholder meetings
• Contribute to long-term commercial growth and business planning

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for an ambitious Business Development Manager, Employer Engagement Manager, Partnerships Manager, Bid Manager, or Commercial Manager with experience within the Employability, Skills, Apprenticeships, Welfare to Work, or Further Education sector.

You’ll ideally have

• Proven business development experience within Employability or Skills
• Experience securing contracts, funding, or commercial opportunities
• Knowledge of Restart, Welfare to Work (W2W), Apprenticeships, and Skills programmes
• Strong understanding of DWP, ESFA, Adult Skills Fund (ASF), and funded provision
• Experience developing partnerships with employers, commissioners, and public sector organisations
• Strong bid writing, tender management, and proposal development skills
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Commercial awareness with a proven ability to achieve growth targets
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities