Business Development Manager

Smart Energy Training; Wales; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Modern facilities

Team culture

Job summary

Smart Energy Training, part of Realise Training Group, seeks a motivated Business Development professional to expand our apprenticeship and training footprint in South Wales and nearby England. You will identify employer clients, recruit leaners for funded programmes, and manage a full sales pipeline from prospecting to learner sign-up.

You will foster strong employer relationships, collaborate with marketing and operations, and travel as required to events and meetings.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development, sales, or employer engagement within the energy/utility or sustainability sectors.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities with stakeholders at all levels.
• Able to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and hit targets.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage new employer clients in South Wales and surrounding England to promote apprenticeship and training offerings.
• Build and maintain long-term employer relationships to support workforce development.
• Source and recruit Leaners for funded training programmes with the Right Learner, Right Programme approach.
• Manage end-to-end sales pipeline from prospecting to learner sign-up; forecast and report on pipeline and regional performance.
• Collaborate with marketing and operations on regional outreach campaigns and events.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Employer engagement

Communication

Relationship-building

Independent working

Industry knowledge (energy/utilities)

Tools

HubSpot

Job description

You will play a key role in driving growth for Smart Energy Training, part of the Realise Training Group, by sourcing learners and employer clients across the region. You will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building strong partnerships, and promoting apprenticeship and training solutions within the energy sector.

Your work will directly contribute to the expansion of our learner base, the achievement of business targets, and the ongoing development of sustainable relationships with employers who are investing in green and smart energy skills. This role combines hands‑on business development with strategic input to help shape the future growth of Smart Energy within a rapidly evolving industry.

What you’ll be doing

• Proactively identify and engage new employer clients in South Wales and the surrounding parts of England, promoting Smart Energy’s apprenticeship and training offer.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with employers, supporting their workforce development needs.
• Source and recruit learners for funded training programmes, ensuring the ‘Right Learner, Right Programme’ approach.
• Manage your own end‑to‑end sales pipeline – from prospecting and lead generation through to learner sign‑up.
• Work closely with marketing and operations to develop and execute regional outreach campaigns.
• Attend industry events, networking sessions, and employer meetings to build brand awareness and generate new business opportunities.
• Provide accurate forecasting and reporting on pipeline activity, conversions, and regional performance.
• Ensure CRM (HubSpot) is used effectively to record all interactions and maintain data integrity.
• Maintain a strong understanding of apprenticeship funding, eligibility, and compliance requirements.
• Uphold the Realise Training Group’s values, delivering exceptional customer service and promoting quality at every stage of the learner and employer journey.
• Proven experience in business development, sales, or employer engagement – ideally within the technical construction skills arena.
• Strong understanding of the energy, utilities, or sustainability sectors.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills.
• Highly motivated and target‑driven, with the ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
• Adaptable, proactive, and passionate about helping learners and employers succeed.

Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.

Salary and benefits

• £35,000 basic salary plus £5,000 car allowance.
• 37.5 hours per week (typically Monday to Friday).
• 25 days’ holiday plus public and bank holidays, Birthday and Christmas Eve leave.
• Career progression and development opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative team culture.
• Modern, well‑equipped training facilities.
• Opportunity to make a lasting impact on apprentices entering the plumbing and gas industries.

About Us

• Smart Energy Training delivers specialist training across gas, plumbing, electrical, renewable energy and smart technologies to help develop the skilled workforce of the future.
• We combine industry expertise with a passion for developing people through high‑quality training, apprenticeships and workforce development programmes.
• Our mission is simple: to deliver outstanding training that equips learners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.
• We promote the wellbeing of our learners and employees and are fully committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and fulfilling our Prevent Duty obligations.
• All successful applicants will undergo a DBS and online search check at offer stage. Proof of qualifications and Right to Work in the UK is required.
• Smart Energy Training is proud to be part of Realise Training Group, which has been delivering exceptional training for over 35 years. Together, we support thousands of learners every year across the UK and are proud to be part of the AQA charity group.