Business Development Manager

LJ Recruitment; Derby; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy and responsibility

Long-term employer relationships

Derby-based role

Travel opportunities

Growing organisation

Job summary

LJ Recruitment in Derby is seeking a commercially driven Business Development Manager to identify and secure new employer partnerships, promoting apprenticeship and training programmes across Derby and surrounding areas. You will manage the full sales cycle, build relationships with key decision-makers, and work with employers to tailor training solutions.

Regular travel to employer sites is required; the role offers autonomy and potential for strong earnings through a £30,000 base with £24,000

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development, sales or account management.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation abilities.
• A proactive approach to identifying and converting new opportunities.
• Confidence engaging with decision-makers at different levels.
• Experience working towards commercial targets and managing a sales pipeline.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Confidence using CRM systems and maintaining accurate records.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating with internal teams.
• A willingness to travel regularly to employer sites and local networking events.
• Knowledge of apprenticeships, vocational training or workforce development would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new employer partnerships and promote apprenticeship solutions.
• Increase the organisation's presence across Derby and surrounding area.
• Develop relationships with business owners, senior managers and decision-makers.
• Arrange and attend face-to-face client meetings and presentations.
• Manage the full sales cycle from prospecting to onboarding.
• Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and activity records through CRM.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth onboarding for learners and employers.
• Meet commercial targets and KPIs and provide regular pipeline updates.

Skills

Business development

Sales cycle management

CRM experience

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Travel readiness

Account management

Job description

Business Development Manager

Location: Derby, Derbyshire

Salary: £30,000 basic salary

Bonus: Up to £24,000 per annum

Package: £30,000-£54,000 OTE

About the Role

An established and highly regarded specialist training provider is looking for an ambitious Business Development Manager (BDM) to join its growing commercial team.

The organisation delivers career-focused training and apprenticeship programmes across areas including management, marketing and media, working closely with employers to develop talent and support workforce growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven sales professional who enjoys building relationships, winning new business and working with employers to develop long-term partnerships.

The Role

As Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for identifying and securing new employer partnerships, promoting apprenticeship and training programmes, and increasing the organisation's presence across Derby and the surrounding area.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and prospecting new business opportunities within the local employer market.
• Developing relationships with business owners, senior managers and key decision-makers.
• Arranging and attending face-to-face client meetings and presentations.
• Understanding employer requirements and matching them with appropriate training and apprenticeship solutions.
• Managing the full sales cycle from initial prospecting through to successful onboarding.
• Developing existing employer relationships and identifying opportunities for further growth.
• Attending local networking events and representing the organisation within the business community.
• Maintaining an accurate sales pipeline and activity records through CRM systems.
• Working towards agreed commercial targets and KPIs.
• Providing regular updates and reports on pipeline, activity and business development performance.
• Working closely with internal teams to ensure a smooth transition from sale through to learner and employer onboarding.

About You

We're looking for someone who is confident, commercially minded and comfortable operating in a target-driven environment.

You may have experience as a:

• Business Development Manager
• Sales Manager
• Account Manager
• Recruitment Consultant
• Employer Engagement Manager
• Training or Apprenticeship Sales professional
• B2B Sales Executive

Experience within education, training, apprenticeships, recruitment, HR services or workforce development would be particularly useful, although strong B2B sales experience will also be considered.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Proven experience in business development, sales or account management.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation abilities.
• A proactive approach to identifying and converting new opportunities.
• Confidence engaging with decision-makers at different levels.
• Experience working towards commercial targets and managing a sales pipeline.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Confidence using CRM systems and maintaining accurate records.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams.
• A willingness to travel regularly to employer sites and local networking events.

Knowledge of apprenticeships, vocational training or workforce development would be advantageous but is not essential.

What's on Offer

• £30,000 basic salary
• Up to £24,000 annual bonus
• £54,000 potential OTE
• A role with genuine autonomy and responsibility
• The opportunity to develop long-term relationships with local employers
• A growing and purpose-driven organisation
• The chance to make a tangible impact on employers and learners
• Derby-based role with regular travel across the local area