Business Development Manager

Zero Surplus; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An ambitious national organization seeks a Business Development Manager to lead membership growth and engage key businesses across the UK. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in business development and strong relationship-building skills. In this hybrid role, you will create strategic outreach plans and manage a membership pipeline. You'll need a proactive mindset and the ability to articulate value. A full UK driver's license is required for travel to the London office.

Qualifications

• Proven success in business development, sales, or partnerships in a B2B or membership environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, especially with senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing pipelines and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

• Leading the full sales cycle from prospecting to conversion.
• Building and managing a strong membership pipeline with clear targets.
• Developing targeted outreach strategies to engage high-potential organisations.
• Representing the organisation at key events and meetings.
• Feeding insights back to shape the organisation's value proposition.

Skills

Business development experience

Relationship-building skills

Commercial acumen

Communication skills

Pipeline management

Proactive mindset

Job description

Are you a commercially driven relationship builder who thrives in a fast‑paced, purpose‑led environment? Do you combine strategic thinking with a "roll up your sleeves" attitude? If so, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the growth of a national organisation that champions one of the most influential yet under‑recognised business communities in the country.

They are a small, ambitious, and rapidly growing organisation with a big mission: to ensure the voice and impact of family‑owned and privately‑owned businesses are understood, valued, and supported across the UK. These businesses form the backbone of their economy and communities, but they aren’t always given the platform they deserve. Hence, they are now looking for a Business Development Manager who wants to be part of that movement.

The Role

As Business Development Manager, you’ll lead the charge in expanding the company’s membership by designing and executing a high‑performing business development strategy that attracts senior leaders from some of the most significant businesses in the UK. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll identify opportunities, create tailored outreach plans, build relationships with key decision‑makers, and convert prospects into long‑term members.

You’ll work closely with the Membership Manager to ensure new members experience a seamless and high‑value onboarding journey, and you’ll collaborate with marketing, programmes, and external partners to increase visibility, generate leads, and strengthen our position in the market.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the full sales cycle, from prospecting and pitching to conversion and handover
• Building and managing a strong membership pipeline, with clear targets and KPIs
• Developing creative, targeted outreach strategies to engage high‑potential organisations
• Representing the organisation at events, forums, and meetings with senior leaders
• Feeding insight back into the business to shape our value proposition and member offer

Key Experience

• Proven success in business development, sales, or partnerships in a B2B or membership environment
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills, especially with senior stakeholders
• Commercial acumen and the ability to articulate value clearly and confidently
• Experience managing pipelines and CRM systems
• A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with the confidence to work both strategically and hands‑on
• A collaborative team player who is motivated by impact, growth, and purpose

If you’re excited by the idea of helping to build something with national influence, where your ideas matter, your work has a visible impact, and the mission genuinely makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you. This is a hybrid role, with travel required to the London‑based office at least twice a week. Due to the nature of the role, a full UK driver’s licence will be required.

For registration purposes, please let us know where you are currently based or which locations you are considering as well as your required salary and notice period.

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