Business Development Manager

Astute People; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus scheme

Enhanced pension

Birthday off

25 days holiday

Job summary

Astute is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth across its nuclear and wider engineering sectors. You will identify new markets, build key client relationships and secure opportunities, including complex design and build projects within regulated environments.

You will collaborate with technical and delivery teams, support tendering, and travel UK and overseas as required. A strong track record in B2B sales and CRM proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development or sales within a fast-paced commercial environment.
• Track record of winning new business and converting opportunities.
• Experience managing client and supplier relationships across public and private sectors.
• Experience on design and build projects in highly regulated environments.
• Knowledge of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) advantageous.
• Nuclear industry experience beneficial but not essential.
• Relevant formal qualifications or professional training advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development activities and pursue opportunities aligned with growth objectives.
• Develop new client relationships while strengthening existing accounts.
• Identify, qualify and secure new business opportunities.
• Research market trends, customer requirements and competitor activity.
• Develop account plans, opportunity capture strategies and sales forecasts.
• Be first point of contact for new inquiries and present capabilities to clients.
• Coordinate pre-sales with technical, commercial and delivery teams.
• Work with tendering to progress opportunities from engagement to tender submission.
• Maintain client records in CRM and report on activities.
• Represent the business at industry events to build networks and generate leads.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop proposals and maximise opportunities.
• Support marketing with presentations and tender content.
• Occasional UK and overseas travel as required.

Skills

Commercial mindset

Relationship building

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Organisational skills

Team collaboration

Report preparation

Client presentations

Industry networking

Tools

Salesforce CRM

MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)

Job description

Astute's Nuclear Team is partnering with a specialist nuclear engineering and technology organisation to recruit a Business Development Manager to support key business growth across their plant and equipment team.

The strategically important Business Development Manager role offers the opportunity to identify new markets, develop key client relationships and secure new business opportunities across the nuclear and wider engineering sectors. It comes with a role comes with a salary of £50,00 - £80,000 dependant on experience, enhanced pension, a hybrid working and your birthday off too!

Responsibilities and duties of the Business Development Manager role

• Lead business development activities, identifying and pursuing new opportunities in line with strategic growth objectives.
• Develop new client relationships while managing and strengthening existing accounts.
• Identify, qualify and secure new business opportunities, contributing directly to sales performance, order intake and revenue growth.
• Research market trends, customer requirements and competitor activity to identify potential opportunities.
• Develop account plans, opportunity capture strategies and sales forecasts.
• Act as the first point of contact for new business enquiries, presenting the organisation's capabilities to prospective clients.
• Coordinate pre-sales activities, working with technical, commercial and delivery teams to develop solutions that meet customer requirements.
• Work closely with the tendering team to progress opportunities from initial engagement through to formal tender submission.
• Manage opportunities and client information through CRM systems, maintaining accurate records and reporting.
• Represent the business at industry events, exhibitions and conferences to build networks and generate new leads.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to develop competitive proposals and maximise opportunities.
• Support marketing activities, including the development of presentations, sales collateral and tender content.
• Undertake regular UK and overseas travel as required.

Professional qualifications

• Proven experience in business development or sales within a fast-paced commercial environment.
• A track record of winning new business and successfully converting sales opportunities.
• Experience developing and managing client and supplier relationships across public and private sector markets.
• Experience working on design and build projects within highly regulated environments.
• Knowledge of CRM systems, such as Salesforce, would be advantageous.
• Experience in the nuclear industry would be beneficial, although not essential.
• Relevant formal qualifications or professional training would be advantageous.

Personal skills

• Commercially minded, proactive and motivated by winning new business.
• Confident building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• An excellent communicator with strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Analytical, with the ability to use market intelligence and data to identify opportunities and support decision-making.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple opportunities and competing priorities.
• A strong team player who can work collaboratively with technical, commercial and operational teams.
• Experienced in preparing reports, presentations and compelling sales proposals.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
• Comfortable representing a business at client meetings, industry events and conferences.

Salary and benefits of the Business Development Manager role

• Competitive salary of £50,000- £80,000 dependent on experience.
• Car allowance, bonus scheme and enhanced 8% pension.
• 25 days holiday + your birthday off, increasing incrementally with length of service
• Opportunity to work on complex and technically challenging projects within the nuclear sector.

We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and comply with all relevant UK legislation.

We encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK.

Astute is also committed to the government's Disability Confident Employer initiative.