Head of New Business Development

JR United Kingdom; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Head of New Business Development in Warrington, responsible for driving growth in apprenticeship starts through new employer relationships across various sectors. The role involves high-level stakeholder management and securing national contracts. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in account management and business development, with strong negotiation and relationship-building skills. This full-time role offers a hybrid working model and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Pension – employee contribution 6%

Opportunity to buy back 5 extra days of annual leave

Day off for your birthday

Employee Assistance Programme

Annual Company Events

Access to Training & Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in account management or business development in education or training.
• Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the execution of a comprehensive commercial strategy.
• Target and win national apprenticeship contracts with large employers.
• Establish Cogent Skills as a trusted partner through stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Account Management

Business Development

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Communication

Relationship Building

Education

STEM Background

Job description

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Head of New Business Development, Warrington, Cheshire

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Client:

Cogent Skills

Location:

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

3

Posted:

19.05.2025

Expiry Date:

03.07.2025

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Job Description:

Head of New Business Development

Vacancy

Cogent has an exciting opportunity for a Head of New Business Development. This is a critical leadership role responsible for delivering substantial growth in apprenticeship starts through acquiring new employer relationships. The focus will be on developing new customers across various sectors including life sciences, chemicals, oil & gas, food & drink, glass, paper, nuclear, and other process industries. The role also involves securing national contracts with multi-site employers through high-level stakeholder engagement and management.

Remuneration Package

• Full-time permanent role

• Pension – employee contribution 6%

• Opportunity to buy back 5 extra days of annual leave (FTE)

• Day off for your birthday

• Hybrid working

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Annual Company Events

• Access to Training & Development Opportunities

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and lead the execution of a comprehensive commercial strategy for new business development and stakeholder engagement, working closely with the Managing Director to increase apprenticeships and market share.
• Lead and deliver the new business development strategy aligned with Cogent’s three-year growth plan.
• Target and win national apprenticeship contracts with large and multi-site employers, ensuring successful onboarding.
• Drive volume and value by targeting larger cohorts and building long-term partnerships.
• Identify, engage, and convert new employer relationships across priority sectors.
• Lead the full sales cycle: prospecting, stakeholder engagement, solution pitching, and closing sales.
• Establish Cogent Skills as a trusted partner through high-level stakeholder engagement.
• Build senior relationships within target organizations, including HR, L&D, Operations, and Engineering.
• Contribute employer insights into programme design and development.
• Achieve apprenticeship growth targets and KPIs through commercial strategy execution.
• Maintain a robust pipeline, CRM reports, and accurate forecasting.
• Lead product development ideas via market research and opportunity identification.
• Pursue new business opportunities and apprenticeship standards to foster growth.
• Develop proposals, presentations, and pitches for potential clients.
• Collaborate with SLT to identify cross-department opportunities and align strategies.
• Coordinate with the Head of Employer Partnerships for a unified employer engagement approach.
• Foster a high-performance culture, building team capability and mentoring on commercial activities.
• Monitor and report on commercial performance against targets.
• Represent Cogent Skills at industry events, conferences, and networking sessions.

Key Performance Indicators

• Number of new apprentice starts from new employer accounts.
• Number of new employers contracted for apprenticeship delivery, especially multi-site employers.
• Number of meetings and opportunities with qualified leads in target sectors.
• Develop the commercial strategy by end of November each year for the following fiscal year.
• Increase market share in current apprenticeship standards aligned with the strategy.
• Build strong external relationships with the Managing Director to support growth and brand development.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications

• Proven experience in account management, business development, or employer engagement, preferably in education, training, or apprenticeships.
• High performer with a track record of achieving results and business growth.
• Experience in consultative selling, solution-based business development, negotiation, and closing deals.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Results-driven with a history of meeting or exceeding targets.
• Knowledge of apprenticeship standards and the broader skills and training landscape.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Professionalism and confidence in external representation.
• Commitment to Cogent Skills' values and mission.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Self-starter with a competitive attitude.
• Knowledge of apprenticeship funding, levy systems, and compliance.
• Existing network in life sciences or process manufacturing industries.
• STEM background or training industry experience.

Cogent is an inclusive employer valuing diversity. We welcome applications from all candidates and consider all applications equally.

Cogent is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All employees are expected to share this commitment.

To apply, click here: https://www.cogentskills.com/about/work-for-us/

Please complete the application form and send it with a cover letter and CV by 30th May 2025, outlining your suitability and how you will ensure success.

If you have additional needs, contact Denise Bentley at 01925 515222 for support during the application process.

If you do not hear back within 21 days, your application was unsuccessful. Website: www.cogentskills.com