Central Government and Education Business Development Director

Kainos; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital transformation firm is seeking a Business Development Manager to join their Public Sector team in Birmingham. The role involves growing revenue through strategic partnerships and managing relationships with public sector clients. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in business development, particularly in the public sector, and a strong understanding of digital solutions. The company champions diversity and inclusion, offering a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion programs

Career development opportunities

Impactful projects in public sector

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience leading new Business Development opportunities with UK Public Sector client accounts.
• Excellent knowledge of digital service concepts and markets.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Put deals together to meet sales, revenue and profitability objectives.
• Build and develop strategic partnerships.
• Negotiate and manage senior stakeholders.

Skills

Business Development

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic Partnerships

Job description

Overview

Join Kainos and Shape the Future. At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators — driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting-edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together. We believe in a people-first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration. Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

Delivering Digital Change in the Public Sector

With over 1,400 experts in digital transformation, AI and data, cloud, and low-code and managed services, our Digital Services division is at the heart of delivering impactful change. We’ve delivered 150+ Government Digital Service (GDS)-compliant services across 35 departments, earning our reputation as the UK Government’s top digital transformation partner.

From supporting the NHS App to transforming UK Passports for HMPO, MOT and Driving Test services for DVSA - we work with public sector organisations to tackle the most complex challenges with innovation, agility, and care. If you’re passionate about meaningful digital impact, this is where your work will matter.

Here are just a few examples of our impact:

• National Health Service (NHS): As a long-term delivery partner, we helped scale the NHS App into one of the UK’s most widely used digital health tools—supporting millions of users with services like COVID-19 vaccination status, prescriptions, and appointment booking.
• Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA): Our work transforming the MOT Scheme, Driving Test, and Theory Test services helped DVSA win the UK IT Industry Award for Best Public Sector IT Project of the Year.
• Defra: We rapidly built critical digital services to support the UK’s EU Exit, helping ensure regulatory compliance and continuity for the movement of animals, plants, and food.
• Higher Education: Leveraging our digital and technical expertise to transformation services that benefit thousands of staff and students across institutions including the University of Cambridge, Queen’s University, and The Open University.

As a trusted partner of AWS and Microsoft, we bring the best of technology to the heart of government—helping our clients unlock efficiency, improve outcomes, and better serve the public. If you’re passionate about making a real difference through digital, we’d love to hear from you.

The team

We are delighted to offer an exciting growth opportunity to be part of our Public Sector Business Development team at Kainos. Our Business Development team is located across the UK (Belfast, London, Birmingham) leading growth and revenue generation with Public Sector clients across UK&I, EMEA and North America. The team has an enviable reputation in the market having supported clients through some of the most complex digital transformations ever delivered in the UK Public Sector. With continued success and a strong trajectory of opportunity, we have established a devolved sectoral structure of Client Groups to support Public Sector clients:

• Central Government and Education
• Defence
• Public Safety and National Security
• Transport

Responsibilities include putting deals together to meet sales, revenue and profitability objectives, and ensuring that contracted work aligns with Kainos’ strategy and goals. You will build and develop strategic partnerships to position Kainos as a trusted, value-adding partner. You will negotiate and manage senior stakeholders, excel in relationship management, and refine proposals for win/win outcomes. You will work with cross-functional teams to maximize cross-selling opportunities, mentor colleagues, and support career development within your client group and wider Public Sector team.

Essential requirements

• Hands-on experience leading new Business Development opportunities with UK Public Sector client accounts in excess of £5m per annum, selling complex digital solutions.
• Excellent knowledge of digital service concepts and markets, with the ability to articulately position products and services against competitors.
• Expertise in business development processes, deal commercials, and constructing complex commercial offers.
• Ability to create and lead pursuit plans to win multiple multi-million-pound deals and deliver against targets.
• Appreciation and knowledge of technology delivery, agile methodologies, etc.
• Genuine passion for solving complex customer problems with technology and broad technology experience and awareness of trends.
• Ability to operate in a highly competitive and pressurised environment and make sound decisions that protect Kainos.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills at all levels, including executive and C-level.
• Expert networking skills and ability to build senior stakeholder relationships.
• Effective planning and deadline management aligned with business requirements.
• Excellent negotiation skills across commercial, contract, and escalation management.
• Commitment to developing people through mentoring and coaching.

Desirable

• Experience working with global partners to build co-sell relationships and generate revenue.
• Direct experience across central government, education, or regulators.
• Delivery experience with engagement across client delivery teams.
• Experience growing a market sector and developing new offerings.

What’s in it for you?

• Make a real impact: Use your experience and network to help solve complex public sector challenges—improving outcomes for citizens, civil servants, and society at scale.
• Lead with purpose: Act as a trusted advisor, building long-term partnerships and delivering meaningful change in areas that matter most.
• Drive strategic growth: Design and lead sector-specific strategies, grow our customer base, and position Kainos as the partner of choice across Central Government and Education.

Embracing our differences

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that reflects the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive. We actively seek talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic. We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field. Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you, and if you require any accommodations or adjustments, you are encouraged to reach out. We understand that everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can tailor the recruitment process to your needs.