Business Development Manager

Nova Pathways; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 7.2 weeks

Sick pay

Maternity & paternity pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Virtual GP (Livi)

Speak Up service

Wellbeing support services

Job summary

Nova Pathways in the United Kingdom is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth through student recruitment, partner engagement, and market expansion. You will build and manage relationships with recruitment partners and stakeholders, identify new opportunities, and support strategic initiatives aligned with our educational mission.

The role is target-driven, requiring strong commercial awareness, excellent communication, and a proven ability to close partnerships.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years experience in sales, business development, or partnerships.
• Experience in education sector is preferred.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new student recruitment agencies and partners.
• Achieve recruitment targets across multiple intakes and programs.
• Maintain regular communication with existing partners to ensure engagement.
• Conduct market research to identify trends and growth opportunities.
• Prepare reports on targets, conversions and partnership outcomes.
• Support recruitment strategies and align activities with organizational goals.

Skills

Negotiation

Influencing

Communication

CRM platforms

Business acumen

Sales

Adaptability

Organization

Tools

MS Office

CRM platforms

Job description

Employment type: Full time, on-site Monday-Friday

Full Right to Work in the UK is required.

About us

We are a dynamic network of higher education institutions, partner universities and recruitment affiliates operating primarily across the UK. We are a fast-growing, international team committed to collaboration, innovation, and service excellence. With a deep understanding of UK education systems and student needs, we help deliver consistent and high-quality support across all of our organisations and partners.

Role Overview

The Business Development Manager (BDM) will play a key role in driving organizational growth through student recruitment, partner engagement, and market expansion. This position focuses on building and managing relationships with recruitment partners and other stakeholders, identifying new business opportunities, and supporting strategic initiatives aligned with the organization’s educational mission. The role operates in a dynamic, target-driven environment and requires strong commercial awareness, communication skills, and a results-oriented mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Development

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new student recruitment agencies and strategic partners.
• Build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with external stakeholders.

Sales & Student Recruitment

• Achieve agreed student recruitment targets across multiple intakes and programs.
• Promote academic offerings effectively to partners and prospective students.

Relationship Management

• Maintain regular communication with existing partners to ensure strong engagement and performance.
• Provide ongoing support, training, and updates to partners as required.

Market Research & Analysis

• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, competitor activity, and new growth opportunities.
• Gather and analyse feedback from partners and students to improve recruitment strategies.

Reporting & Performance Tracking

• Monitor recruitment performance and business development activities using CRM systems.
• Prepare regular reports on targets, conversions, and partnership outcomes for senior management.

Strategic Support

• Contribute to the development and execution of business development and recruitment strategies.
• Support internal teams to align recruitment activities with organizational goals.

Skills & Experience Required

• 2-3 years experience.
• Demonstrated experience in sales, business development, or partnerships (education sector preferred).
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and persuasive skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Solid business acumen with an understanding of recruitment or education markets.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and CRM platforms.
• High level of adaptability, organization, and attention to detail.
• Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
• Company Sick Pay
• Statutory maternity and paternity pay
• Employee Assistance Programme (HA Wisdom Wellbeing)
• Virtual GP access (Livi)
• 'Speak Up Service' – confidential support service to report workplace concerns
• Specialist physical and mental wellbeing support services with 24/7 confidential counselling (Wisdom)
• Financial, legal and medical advice services (Wisdom)
• Life & Leadership coaching (Wisdom)
• Financial coaching (MUNNY)
• Discounts and perks, offering savings on shopping, activities and more (Bright Exchange)
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Training and self-development opportunities