Business Development Manager

Sanctuary Graduates & Apprentices; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited earning potential with commission

Ongoing sales training

Flexible work-from-home options

Cool office amenities

Regular work socials and parties

Job summary

A recruitment organization seeks a Business Development Manager to drive revenue growth by securing new business from firms attracting young talent. This role requires a proven track record in business development, focusing on early careers, and includes responsibilities such as leading client pitches and networking. With excellent earning potential through uncapped commission and opportunities for professional growth, the position is based either remotely or at the Norwich HQ.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in business development within early careers.
• Comfortable with targets, reporting, and KPIs.
• Ability to build trust and long-term customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Drive revenue growth by securing new business from firms.
• Lead client pitches, tenders, presentations, and proposals.
• Identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities.
• Identify, qualify and secure new business opportunities within Early Careers markets.
• Lead client pitches, tenders, presentations and proposal development.

Skills

Business development experience in early careers

Cold calling and outreach

Strong presentation skills

Networking and relationship building

Tools

LinkedIn

Job description

Salary: Excellent basic with uncapped commission

Location: Flexible: Remote or Norwich HQ

Sanctuary Graduates & Apprentices specialises in early careers and diversity recruitment. The organisation connects graduates, interns and apprentices with employers across the UK, delivering targeted recruitment (RPO) and campus marketing solutions that help employers build and diversify their future talent.

Purpose of the Role

As our Business Development Manager you will have a proven track record and existing network within Early Careers, and be responsible for driving revenue growth by securing new business from firms looking to attract or hire young talent.

The post requires you to be commercially minded and provide a consultative sales approach to build long-term client partnerships and deliver solutions that meet client workforce objectives.

It is a sales only role – the delivery of the suite of services you sell is handled by our experienced operations team here in Norwich.

• Unlimited earning potential: commission on all sales with no cap
• Financial stability with base salary + upside: a guaranteed base salary plus commission earnings provides safety and growth potential.
• Incentives for over-performance: extra bonuses, higher commission rates, or tiered bonuses for surpassing targets.
• Strong brand presence in market: making it easier for you to deliver sales

Other benefits

Professional Growth & Development: Ongoing sales training (e.g., negotiation, closing strategies, product education) and access to industry courses

Flexibility: we work from home on Fridays

Cool office in central Norwich: with kitchen, stocked fridges, table football, darts and sunny outdoor space for working and relaxing at lunch

Regular work socials and parties: recently we’ve had Quasar, Kayaking, Pub Quizzes, Beach trips and more

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Structure and execute a business development strategy to achieve and exceed revenue targets with our suite of services. This will involve
• Targeting key potential clients on Linkedin, on the phone and at industry events
• Positioning our suite of services: RPO Early Careers Recruitment; Candidate Management; Diversity Events; Targeted Emails; Campus Brand Ambassadors
• Identify, qualify and secure new business opportunities within early careers and diversity recruitment markets.
• Lead on client pitches, tenders, presentations and proposal development.

Market & Service Development

• Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, competitor activity and emerging opportunities and sharing these both internally and externally.
• Represent the organisation at industry events, conferences and networking opportunities to build brand presence.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Achievement of monthly/quarterly and annual revenue targets.
• Understanding of market trends within early careers
• Familiarity built with all UK senior early careers professionals

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Proven track record in business development within early careers
• Cold calling and other outreach experience
• Comfortable with targets, reporting, and KPIs

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to clearly explain products, value, and solutions
• Active listening to understand customer needs
• Strong presentation skills (in-person, phone, and digital)

Relationship Building

• Ability to build trust and long-term customer relationships
• Skilled at networking and nurturing leads
• Confident in overcoming objections
• Skilled at creating win‑win outcomes
• Ability to close deals effectively

Product & Market Knowledge

• Quickly learns product features and benefits
• Understands industry trends and competitor landscape
• Ability to tailor messaging to different customer segments

Problem‑Solving & Needs Analysis

• Identifies customer pain points
• Recommends customized solutions
• Thinks creatively to remove barriers to purchase

Time Management & Organization

• Manages multiple leads and follow‑ups
• Prioritizes high‑value opportunities
• Meets deadlines and sales cycles efficiently

Values and Behaviours

• Care and Kindness: Act with empathy and respect towards clients, colleagues and candidates.
• Client Outcomes First: Deliver solutions that drive real results for clients and create a positive experience from start to finish.
• Accountability: Take ownership for work, both successes and challenges, and maintain high standards of professionalism, along with ensuring that clients are always given expert knowledge and guidance.