Business Development Manager

Westrop Medical Practice; Swindon; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Swindon is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead service development, funding initiatives, and research leadership in the region. This senior role focuses on addressing health inequalities and improving health outcomes through effective project management and partnership with NHS and local authorities. Candidates must possess significant experience in business development, a strong track record of successful funding bids, and excellent stakeholder management skills. Competitive compensation and strategic development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development or programme management within health or public sector.
• Strong track record of developing successful funding bids.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of service development bids and funding applications.
• Manage a portfolio of complex programmes.
• Chair and coordinate the Swindon Health Inequalities Meeting.

Skills

Business development

Service development

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Degree-level qualification in health, public health, business, or management

Postgraduate qualification in public health or related field

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and motivated BusinessDevelopment Manager to lead on servicedevelopment, external funding, and research leadership across Swindon and thewider BSW system.

This is a key senior role, responsible for developing fundedprogrammes that address health inequalities, improve population healthoutcomes, and support innovation. You will manage a diverse portfolio ofprojects, chair system-level meetings, and work closely with partners across the NHS, local authorities, universities, and research networks.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and submission of service development bids and external funding applications.
• Manage and oversee a portfolio of complex programmes including prevention, long-term conditions, and research initiatives.
• Provide strategic and operational project management to ensure delivery against agreed outcomes.
• Chair and coordinate the Swindon Health Inequalities Meeting, driving system collaboration.
• Provide oversight, leadership, and support to the Research Co-ordinator and research activity.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with NHS organisations, universities, ICB, VCSE and regional research networks.
• Lead on neighbourhood contract development and place-based working in Swindon.

About us

Brunel Health Group is a collaboration of primary care providers delivering healthcare to over 264,000 patients across Swindon and Shrivenham, with an aim to develop and deliver services together to optimise the health and well‑being of the population served.

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Business Development Manager Research & Development

Location

Swindon (with system-wide working across BSW)

Reports to

Brunel Strategy and Operations Manager

Job Purpose

The Business Development Manager (Research & Development) will lead on the identification, development, and delivery of funded service development and research initiatives that support population health improvement, health inequalities reduction, and innovation across Swindon and the wider BSW system.

The role will have strategic and operational responsibility for business development, project management, research leadership, and neighbourhood contract development, working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners including NHS organisations, universities, funders, and regional research networks.

Summary of Role and Responsibilities

1. Business Development & External Funding

• Lead the development, coordination, and submission of service development bids and applications for external funding.
• Identify funding opportunities aligned with organisational and system priorities.
• Develop high‑quality business cases, funding proposals, and supporting documentation.

2. Project Management

• Provide overall project management leadership for a portfolio of funded and strategic programmes.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within agreed budgets.
• Monitor performance, risks, and outcomes, providing regular updates to stakeholders.
• Current and priority programmes include:
• SMI Health Checks
• Interface
• GSK Pneumoshingles
• Lucid CKD Project
• HPV and Cancer LDA Co‑ordinator Extension
• Neighbourhood Health applications
• British Heart Foundation (BHF) programmes
• Chair and coordinate the TVCA Swindon Health Inequalities Meeting, acting as default Chair.
• Provide strategic leadership to support cross‑system collaboration on health inequalities.
• Ensure effective engagement, governance, action tracking, and reporting.

4. Research Leadership & Oversight

• Provide oversight, leadership, and professional support to the Research Co‑ordinator.
• Act as a senior point of contact for research‑related matters across the organisation.
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with:
• Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GWHFT)
• Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB)
• University research teams
• Regional and National Research Delivery Networks (RDN)
• Attend and contribute to meetings across BSW and RDN to ensure alignment, intelligence sharing, and up‑to‑date knowledge of research activity.
• Provide leadership to enable a centralised model for research and expanding into commercial opportunities for research.

5. Neighbourhood Contracts & Development (Swindon)

• Lead on the development, negotiation, and oversight of neighbourhood‑based contracts in Swindon.
• Support place‑based working and integrated neighbourhood teams.
• Ensure contracts align with neighbourhood health priorities, population needs, and system objectives.
• Work closely with commissioners, providers, and community partners to support sustainable service models.

Key Skills and Experience (Indicative)

• Proven experience in business development, service development, or programme management within health or public sector environments.
• Strong track record of developing successful funding bids and business cases.
• Experience of managing complex, multi‑stakeholder projects and programmes.
• Knowledge of research governance, research delivery, or health innovation (desirable).
• Excellent stakeholder management, chairing, and influencing skills.
• Ability to work strategically while maintaining strong operational oversight.

Person Specification

Business Development Manager Research & Development

Qualifications & Education

• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. health, public health, business, research, or management).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Postgraduate qualification in public health, health management, research, or business development.

Experience

• Significant experience in business development, service development, or programme management within health, public sector, or complex partnership environments.
• Proven experience of developing and submitting successful funding bids, business cases, or grant applications.
• Experience of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, including financial oversight and reporting.
• Experience of working collaboratively across organisations and systems.
• Experience of chairing meetings and coordinating multi‑agency groups.
• Experience working within NHS, Integrated Care Systems (ICS/ICB), or primary care environments.
• Experience of neighbourhood or place‑based service development.
• Experience supporting or overseeing research delivery or innovation programmes.
• Experience of managing or supporting staff.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of service development, commissioning, and funding mechanisms within health or public sector systems.
• Excellent project management skills, including risk management, performance monitoring, and delivery against objectives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and evidence to inform decisions and funding proposals.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to produce high‑quality funding bids, reports, and business cases.
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills, including chairing meetings and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of research governance, ethics, and delivery frameworks.
• Understanding of health inequalities and population health approaches.
• Knowledge of neighbourhood health models and integrated care delivery.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate strategy into operational delivery.
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
• Proactive, self‑motivated, and able to work autonomously.
• Strong leadership presence with the confidence to lead discussions and challenge constructively.
• Collaborative and inclusive working style.
• Resilient and adaptable in a complex and changing environment.

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel across Swindon and the wider BSW system as required.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and organisational values.
• Experience representing an organisation at system, regional, or national meetings.
• Experience working with voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) partners.

Person Specification

Experience

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate strategy into operational delivery.
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
• Proactive, self‑motivated, and able to work autonomously.
• Strong leadership presence with the confidence to lead discussions and challenge constructively.
• Collaborative and inclusive working style.
• Resilient and adaptable in a complex and changing environment.
• Ability to travel across Swindon and the wider BSW system as required.
• Strong understanding of service development, commissioning, and funding mechanisms within health or public sector systems.
• Excellent project management skills, including risk management, performance monitoring, and delivery against objectives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and evidence to inform decisions and funding proposals.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to produce high‑quality funding bids, reports, and business cases.
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills, including chairing meetings and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience representing an organisation at system, regional, or national meetings.
• Experience working with voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) partners.
• Knowledge of research governance, ethics, and delivery frameworks.
• Understanding of health inequalities and population health approaches.
• Knowledge of neighbourhood health models and integrated care delivery.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.