Business Development Manager

Fairford Associates; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle or mileage allowance

iPad, laptop and mobile phone

NEST pension scheme

Up to 27 days’ annual leave

Career progression and training

Regular team events and perks

Job summary

Fairford Associates is seeking a proactive Business Development Manager to build a strong pipeline of new business, nurture client relationships, and drive growth in cleaning services. The role is hybrid with one day at head office in Berkshire and travel to sites in Kent, Essex and London.

The package includes a £45k basic salary with an OTE of £75k, Monday–Friday 8:30am–5:00pm, and a supportive team with opportunities for progression.

Qualifications

• Solid background in direct sales; experience in cleaning/FM is a plus.
• Proven success selling contracts valued at £1.5m+ annually (80% inbound leads).
• Ability to prospect and close deals and manage the sales process from lead to close.
• UK driver’s license and the right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Prospecting & Business Development: Spend two days a week identifying and targeting new business opportunities.
• Appointments & Leads: Book a set number of qualified appointments weekly in specific geographic areas.
• Lead Management: Qualify and book inbound leads to generate revenue.
• Customer Site Visits: Travel to client sites, survey premises and provide tailored quotes for cleaning services.
• Negotiation & Objection Handling: Navigate objections and negotiate pricing effectively.
• Relationship Building: Build lasting relationships and manage the sales cycle from lead to close.
• Market Insight: Stay updated on industry trends and competitor activity.
• Collaboration: Work with operations to ensure smooth contract transitions and mobilisation.
• Sales Maximisation: Undertake tasks to optimise revenue and hit targets.

Skills

Direct sales

New business development

Negotiation

Relationship building

Job description

Business Development Manager

Location: Hybrid – one day at head office in Berkshire, home working, travel to sites in Kent, Essex & London.

Salary: Basic salary £45k OTE £75k

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm

Why Join?

My client is a leading commercial cleaning company, committed to providing over 400 customers with an excellent cleaning service at a competitive price. Established in 1999, they provide a professional, fully comprehensive cleaning provision across Southern England in sectors that include schools, offices, medical and leisure facilities. Despite our fast growth, we still care about every customer, every contract and every member of staff. They pride themselves on their attention to detail and delivery of a thorough, reliable high‑quality service.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Sales & Marketing, we are looking for an ambitious Business Development Manager to join our expanding sales team and drive our growth even further. Your primary focus will be to build a solid pipeline of new business, establishing strong relationships with prospective clients, assisting our continued expansion.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Prospecting & Business Development: Spend two days a week identifying and targeting new business opportunities
• Appointments & Leads: Book a set number of qualified appointments each week, with a focus on specific geographic areas
• Lead Management: Qualify and book inbound leads, generating significant revenue
• Customer Site Visits: Travel to customer locations to attend meetings, survey buildings, and provide tailored quotes for cleaning services
• Negotiation & Objection Handling: Navigate objections and negotiate pricing effectively
• Relationship Building: Build lasting business relationships, managing the sales process from lead to close
• Market Insight: Stay up to date with industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities
• Collaboration: Work closely with our operations team to ensure smooth contract transitions and successful mobilisation
• Sales Maximisation: Undertake other tasks to optimise sales revenue and achieve targets

About You

We are looking for an experienced Business Development Manager (preferably in the cleaning/FM sector) who thrives on challenge and enjoys the satisfaction of closing high‑value deals. You will have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, self‑drive and tenacity to pursue new opportunities and possess an ability to work well as part of a team.

What You’ll Need

• A solid background in direct sales (experience in cleaning or similar industries is a plus)
• Experience of selling a service (preferably in the cleaning/FM industry)
• Proven success selling contracts valued at £1.5m+ annually (80% inbound leads)
• A proven track record in prospecting and closing deals
• Experience in the education or medical sectors would be an advantage, but not essential
• A valid UK driver’s license
• The right to work in the UK and satisfactory references

What They Can Offer

• Flexibility in work hours and location (average of 1 day in the office, 4 days working from home/out in the field)
• Company vehicle or mileage allowance
• iPad, laptop and company mobile phone
• Competitive salary with an attractive commission structure
• Up to 27 days’ annual leave (depending on length of service)
• NEST pension scheme
• Opportunities for training, professional development and career progression
• Quarterly employee recognition awards
• A friendly and inclusive working culture
• Regular team events and employee perks
• Free parking and refreshments when in the office
• An inclusive, equal opportunities workplace where diversity is valued and everyone is welcome