Business Development Partner (Internal job title: Learning Partner)

Cognition Education; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Birthday Leave

additional company benefits

Job summary

Cognition Evolve in Manchester is seeking a Business Development Partner to grow client relationships and shape learning solutions. The role blends consultancy, business development and project oversight in a collaborative, values-driven environment.

You will manage key accounts, pursue new business opportunities, and work with internal experts to scope and deliver impactful learning programs. Hybrid work is offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in account management, consultancy, or a similar client-facing role.
• Strong understanding of the learning,training or professional development sector.
• Experience in the learning and development or similar sector.
• Proven ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
• A consultative mindset with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Highly organised, commerciallyawareand comfortable juggling multiple priorities.
• A proactive, collaborative approach with drive to grow relationships and results.

Responsibilities

• Building and managing strong, long-term client relationships and key accounts.
• Developing and managing a sales pipeline to meet agreed revenue and growth targets.
• Proactively identifying new business opportunities and panel/framework opportunities.
• Leading client meetings, scoping conversations and proposal responses.
• Providing expert consultancy and advising clients on learning strategies and solutions.
• Working closely with subject matter experts and internal teams to design tailored learning solutions.
• Overseeing projects to ensure delivery on time, within budget and to a high standard.
• Representing Cognition Evolve at client meetings, proposal presentations and industry events.
• Contributing to market engagement, growth strategies and annual planning.

Skills

Account management

Consultancy

Learning & development

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Job description

Business Development Partner (Internal job title: Learning Partner)

Manchester, United Kingdom | Posted on 24/08/2026

Transforming lives through learning for over 30 years

Our teams work in education consultancy, professional development, early-years & primary tutoring, digital learning and publishing to improve learning for everyone.

Job Description

Business Development Partner (Internal job title: Learning Partner)

Location: Hybrid - applicants should be within commuting distance of Manchester

Salary - £45-50k dependent on experience

Contract: Permanent

Benefits: 25 days annual leave + Birthday Leave + additional company benefits

Are you passionate about building trusted client relationships and crafting impactful learning solutions? Do you thrive at the intersection of consultancy, business development, and learning design? If so, this could be your next move.

About the role

As aLearning PartneratCognition Evolve,you’llplay a pivotal role in growing our business and shaping meaningful learning experiences for our clients.You’llpartner with new and existing customers, act as a trusted advisor, and collaborate with our specialist teams to design, scope and deliver high-quality learning solutions that make a real impact.

This is acommerciallyfocused,client-facing role that balances relationship management,business development,consultancy, and project oversight within a collaborative, values-driven environment.

Whatyou’llbe doing

• Building and managing strong, long-term client relationships and key accounts
  
• Developing and managing a sales pipeline to meet agreed revenue and growth targets
  
• Proactivelyidentifyingnew business opportunities and panel/framework opportunities
  
• Leading client meetings, scopingconversationsand proposal responses
  
• Providing expert consultancy and advising clients on learning strategies and solutions
  
• Working closely with subject matter experts and internal teams to design tailored learning solutions
  
• Overseeingprojects to ensure delivery on time, within budget and to a high standard
  
• RepresentingCognition Evolve at client meetings, proposalpresentationsand industry events
  
• Contributing to market engagement, growthstrategiesand annual planning
  

Requirements

Whatwe’relooking for

• 5+ years’ experience in account management, consultancy, or a similar client-facing role
  
• Strong understanding of the learning,trainingor professional development sector
  
• Experience in the learning and development or similar sector
  
• Proven ability to build credibility with senior stakeholders and decision-makers
  
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills
  
• A consultative mindset with strong problem-solving and analytical skills
  
• Highly organised, commerciallyawareand comfortable juggling multiple priorities
  
• A proactive, collaborative approach with drive to grow relationships and results
  

Why join Cognition Evolve?

• Join an award-winning learning organisation
  
• Be part of a global team comprised of talented and supportive colleagues
  
• Work on varied, meaningful projects
  
• Work with high profile and forward-thinking clients
  
• Influence learning solutions that genuinely make a difference
  

Please Note - vacancies may close prior to the expiry date displayed, subject to the volume of applications received.