Business Development Senior Manager - Higher Education

TN United Kingdom; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Business Development Senior Manager focused on Higher Education in Leeds. This role involves building client relationships, managing sales strategies, and driving market growth within the education sector. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in sales, particularly within the UK Higher Education landscape, and possess strong leadership and communication skills. Join a dynamic team to enhance advisory services and expand client engagement.

Qualifications

• At least 6 years in sales or client-facing roles, preferably in professional services.
• In-depth knowledge of the UK Higher Education sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead Go-To-Market strategy in Higher Education and manage pipeline development.
• Develop new client relationships and expand existing ones.
• Manage tenders and pitch processes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Sales

Relationship Building

Education

Experience in UK Higher Education

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Business Development Senior Manager - Higher Education, Leeds

Client: KPMG

Location: Leeds, United Kingdom

Job Category: Other

-

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Description:

KPMG operates on a multi-disciplinary basis, leveraging insights to provide a broad range of solutions and services to assist clients in meeting their business objectives and addressing key challenges.

Our Business Development (BDM) roles focus on building and maintaining client relationships, originating opportunities, and winning profitable work. BDMs utilize and exemplify best sales practices through the wider BD community and various CRM tools and guidance.

This position is aligned with our Infrastructure, Government and Health (IGH) sector, specifically within the Education, Skills and Productivity (ESP) team, focusing on Higher Education.

The ESP team is part of KPMG’s Public Sector practice, covering the entire education landscape, including schools, Further Education, Higher Education, government, and skills development. Building on our strong presence in audit and tax, we aim to grow our advisory revenue, particularly in Higher Education.

We are seeking a senior business development manager with a focus on Higher Education to accelerate our pipeline development and conversion, leveraging our established relationships and understanding of the sector.

Role and Responsibilities:

You will be part of a leadership team led by the Head of Education, Skills and Productivity, working alongside sales and sector teams to translate national market strategies into regional growth plans, considering local client issues and policy impacts.

Your responsibilities include:

• Leading our Go-To-Market strategy in Higher Education and managing pipeline development and conversion
• Targeting specific universities and expanding contacts alongside Client Partners
• Launching new advisory products and developing sales pipelines
• Enhancing our profile through conferences, speaking opportunities, and relationship management
• Ensuring effective CRM and pipeline management
• Supporting regional client service and strategic planning efforts
• Leading qualification and pursuit of opportunities, including proposal development
• Mentoring and coaching team members on sales best practices

The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership, management, and influencing skills, with a keen eye for detail and proactive follow-through. Performance metrics include revenue growth, brand enhancement, and client relationship development.

Client Relationships:

• Manage a diverse portfolio, focusing 80% of time on sales activities
• Develop new client relationships and expand existing ones
• Coordinate client events and measure ROI
• Build relationships with regional influencers and internal teams

Knowledge, Communication, and Coaching:

• Leverage internal networks and facilitate communication between clients and KPMG teams
• Share knowledge and mentor others in sales and relationship management
• Maintain awareness of sector trends and broader offerings

Proposals:

• Manage tenders and pitch processes, ensuring strong client knowledge representation and high-quality responses

Key Measures:

Metrics include individual and team sales, pipeline health, client engagement, and internal feedback.

Qualifications and Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of the UK Higher Education sector, gained through relevant experience
• At least 6 years in sales or client-facing roles, preferably within professional services
• Strong relationship-building skills at senior levels
• Ability to develop networks quickly and drive market growth
• Strategic thinker with excellent communication, influencing, and organizational skills
• Proactive, resilient, and capable of managing conflicting priorities under pressure

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to speak confidently to large groups
• Understanding of multidisciplinary service offerings and content expertise