Business Development Manager

BLS International; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global services firm in Greater London is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive strategic growth initiatives focused on government affairs and international business. The role involves expanding market presence, establishing partnerships with global institutions, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. The ideal candidate must have over 15 years of experience in business development or government affairs, solid communication skills, and a proven ability to navigate diplomatic relations.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in business development, government affairs, or international strategy.
• Proven experience with government entities or diplomatic missions.
• Strong exposure to international markets and policy-driven environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end business development strategies to expand market presence.
• Identify and execute opportunities in consular services and visa facilitation.
• Build and manage partnerships with global institutions and service providers.

Skills

Business development

Government affairs

International business strategy

Negotiation

Leadership

Strategic partnerships

Job description

Role Overview

The Business Development Manager will lead strategic growth initiatives by bridging policy, innovation, and global market expansion. This role requires a seasoned professional with strong expertise in government affairs, diplomatic relations, and international business strategy, particularly within consular, visa, citizen, and global mobility services.

The role is pivotal in driving global business development, strategic partnerships, and market presence, while aligning organizational objectives with digital transformation and customer‑centric service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Global Growth

• Drive end-to-end business development strategies to expand global and regional market presence
• Identify and execute new opportunities across consular services, visa facilitation, citizen services, and mobility solutions
• Lead revenue growth through strategic partnerships, PPP models, and large-scale contracts
• Develop and manage international market entry and expansion plans
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with government bodies, embassies, consulates, and international institutions
• Act as a key liaison between policymakers, diplomatic stakeholders, and internal teams
• Navigate regulatory, compliance, and geopolitical frameworks impacting business operations
• Support policy alignment and advocacy to enable sustainable growth

Strategic Partnerships & Alliances

• Build and manage long‑term partnerships with global institutions, service providers, and technology partners
• Lead negotiations, MoUs, commercial agreements, and strategic alliances
• Represent the organization in high‑level meetings, diplomatic engagements, and industry forums
• Align business development initiatives with digital transformation, automation, and innovation‑led service delivery
• Collaborate with technology and operations teams to enhance scalability, efficiency, and customer experience
• Promote adoption of secure, digital, and customer‑centric platforms

Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Operations, Legal, Finance, and Technology
• Provide strategic direction and mentorship to business development teams
• Contribute to long‑term organizational strategy and global expansion roadmap

Desired Candidate Profile

• 15+ years of experience in business development, government affairs, or international strategy
• Proven experience working with government entities, diplomatic missions, embassies, or multilateral organizations
• Strong exposure to international markets, negotiations, and policy‑driven environments
• Demonstrated success in building and scaling strategic partnerships
• Experience in technology‑enabled services, GovTech, mobility, or large‑scale service delivery preferred
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership capabilities