Head of Business Development

JR United Kingdom; Chasetown; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

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Based: Hybrid – Must be within commutable distance of our Staffordshire head office

Reports To: Managing Director

Salary: DOE with company car and bonus.

About the company

Busy Bees Education and Training is a national Ofsted Good training provider based in Burntwood and is an established provider of apprenticeships across predominantly the Early Years sector.

We are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of childcare professionals through driving quality apprenticeship schemes.

Our mission is to deliver excellence in training and support, ensuring our apprentices are well-equipped to provide exceptional childcare services.

About the role

As Head of Business Development, you will play a critical role leading the growth of our high-quality apprenticeship delivery to external employers across multiple sectors including Early Years, Catering and Business Services. You will develop and execute sales strategies to identify and convert new business opportunities, building a high-performing sales function, and forging strong relationships and partnerships with employers and other referral partners. Your leadership will be essential in cementing our strong brand as a pioneering leader in early years apprenticeships.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop and manage a high-performing remote sales team to achieve national business goals.
2. Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive work environment with fair policies and quick resolution of personnel concerns.
3. Lead training and career development initiatives, collaborating with external partners to meet high-quality standards.
4. Provide mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities to help team members grow as leaders.
5. Implement and monitor employee engagement strategies, including feedback surveys and action plans.
6. Ensure compliance with apprenticeship sales regulations and industry standards in education and training.
7. Stay up to date with and enforce mandatory training requirements across national operations.
8. Oversee service delivery to maintain adherence to company policies, with a focus on learner and employer health and safety.
9. Develop and nurture strong relationships with key stakeholders, including apprenticeship employers and learners.
10. Work closely with senior management, coaches, and internal teams to align business development with strategic objectives.
11. Monitor and respond to customer feedback, improving services to achieve high Net Promoter Scores and customer satisfaction.
12. Collaborate with employers to understand workforce development needs and tailor learning programs to their industry.
13. Represent the organisation at industry events, ensuring a strong brand presence and commitment to quality training.
14. Identify and pursue new business opportunities in the apprenticeship sector, expanding into new markets and regions.
15. Develop and implement innovative sales strategies to enhance market presence and reputation.
16. Lead and manage the end-to-end sales process, from lead generation to contract finalisation.
17. Oversee contract negotiations with new employers, ensuring profitable and strategic partnerships.
18. Drive employer recruitment efforts to grow apprenticeships, building a strong pipeline of opportunities.
19. Monitor sales team performance metrics, providing insights, guidance, and best practices to enhance conversion rates.
20. Lead and execute the marketing strategy for external apprenticeships, representing the organisation at conferences and networking events.

Key Skills and Experience

1. Proven experience in senior business development/sales leadership role in apprenticeships/skills.
2. Strong prior experience of building high-performing business development teams.
3. Ability to inspire, motivate, and direct diverse teams towards achieving sales excellence.
4. Skilled in maximising operational and commercial performance outcomes in the short, medium, and long term.
5. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
6. Adept at identifying new business opportunities and converting leads into revenue generating partnerships.
7. Ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders such as employers, local/combined authorities and industry bodies.
8. Must be flexible in working hours, including ability to travel nationally and work early mornings and evenings if required.