New Business Manager

Chemonics Group UK Ltd; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sustainable solutions firm in the UK is seeking a New Business Manager to lead growth initiatives and manage proposal development. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience in international development, a proven track record in business development, and strong leadership skills. This role offers competitive benefits, including private medical insurance and flexible working options.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Health Cash Plan

Generous Annual Leave

Flexible & Hybrid Working

Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in international development.
• Proven business development track record including proposal preparation.
• Experience supervising and mentoring diverse teams.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification and acquisition of new projects.
• Drive business growth through effective partner engagement.
• Oversee proposal processes and ensure compliance.
• Mentor junior staff to strengthen team capacity.

Skills

Excellent communication

Analytical skills

Proposal writing

Strategic thinking

Education

Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, development studies, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Project management systems

Job description

About The Role

We’re seeking a strategic and results driven New Business Manager to lead growth initiatives within our New Business Unit, identifying and securing high impact opportunities to expand our market presence. This role is responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of pipeline management, bid capture, and proposal development, ensuring the delivery of timely, high-quality, and competitive submissions. You’ll work in close partnership with clients, collaborators, and consultants and will lead and mentor internal teams to build robust proposal development capabilities. You will also be expected to provide technical guidance, coordinate inputs from subject matter experts, and ensure all proposals align with company standards, regulatory frameworks, and donor requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the identification, pursuit, and acquisition of new projects across priority technical areas.
• Drive business growth through effective partner engagement, client relationship management, and networking.
• Oversee end-to-end proposal processes, including technical and financial development, ensuring competitive and compliant submissions.
• Support strategic positioning in target markets by contributing to pipeline planning and capture strategies.
• Mentor junior staff and strengthen team capacity in business development and proposal management.

Market Strategy and Pipeline Management

• Lead pipeline tracking, opportunity analysis, and performance reporting to inform divisional growth strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, donors, partners, and technical specialists.
• Identify emerging market trends and translate insights into actionable business development strategies.
• Manage opportunity data in corporate systems and ensure timely information sharing with divisional and corporate leadership.
• Represent Chemonics at external events, conferences, and networking opportunities, articulating the company’s portfolio, expertise, and impact.
• Travel as needed to support capture and positioning activities, including partner and client engagement.
• Oversee management and onboarding of new business consultants, including contracting and payments.

Technical Leadership

• Contribute technical expertise to proposals and capture efforts, ensuring quality and alignment with donor priorities.
• Collaborate with practice leads and subject matter experts to integrate innovative approaches across proposals.
• Provide technical input and quality assurance for proposal deliverables in sectors such as governance, education, climate change, economic growth, peacebuilding, health, and social inclusion.
• Support the development of winning proposal strategies and contribute to continuous improvement in Chemonics’ business development processes.

Management and Leadership

• Supervise, mentor, and develop assigned staff, fostering an inclusive and high-performing team culture.
• Promote effective collaboration, leadership development, and knowledge sharing across business units.
• Support training, facilitation, and capacity-building initiatives in new business processes.
• Contribute to broader Business Unit goals through operational, technical, or project support as required.
• Model Chemonics’ values and competencies in all activities.

Person Specification:

Essential Skills

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in international development or development cooperation.
• Proven business development track record, including capture, proposal preparation, budgeting, compliance, and partnership management.
• Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to winning proposals, with strong understanding of client requirements and procurement processes.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing staff across diverse teams.
• Field experience in developing or emerging economies strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with key donors such as FCDO, SDC, GIZ, KfW and EU is an asset.

Technical and Functional Skills

• Excellent communication, analytical, and proposal writing skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in administrative, financial, and project management systems; ability to mentor others in these areas.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and digital collaboration tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in cross-cultural environments.
• Resourceful problem-solver with a proactive learning mindset.

Languages

• Full professional proficiency in English required.
• French, Spanish, Arabic, or German language skills are an advantage.

Education / Professional Skills

• Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, development studies, or a related field.
• Willingness to travel internationally for up to eight weeks per year.

Other

• UK work authorisation or ability to obtain it required.

Why Join Chemonics UK? Exciting Benefits Await!

• Private Medical Insurance – Enjoy coverage from day one, ensuring your health is a priority.
• Health Cash Plan – Get support for routine healthcare costs like eye tests, complementing your private medical insurance.
• Competitive Salary – We offer a highly competitive salary within the sector.
• Pension Scheme – Employees will be auto enrolled to the pensionscheme.
• Childcare Workplace Benefit – Helping working parents save on Tax and National Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential support whenever you need it.
• Flexible & Hybrid Working – Work from home with only two office days per week required.
• Remote Equipment Allowance – Receive up to £150 to set up your home office comfortably.
• Generous Annual Leave – Start with 25 days, increasing to 30 days after 7 years.
• Celebrations & Team Events – Join us for summer and end-of-year parties to celebrate our achievements together!
• Travel Accident Insurance – Coverage for work‑related short‑term travel assignments.

About Us

Chemonics is a sustainable solutions firm that designs and delivers people‑centered solutions at the intersection of technology, data, and human progress. Building on 50 years of experience in 160 countries, our global network of experts collaborates with ambitious partners to navigate complex environments and achieve results.

At Chemonics, we don’t just work on projects. We help shape what’s possible. For 50 years, we’ve delivered results in 160 countries in some of the world’s most complex environments. Today, we’re evolving how we work, harnessing the power of data, applied technology and AI, media, and a disciplined approach to project delivery to reach ambitious goals.

Our teams are re-engineering global supply chains, scaling clean energy solutions, and tailoring tech to local needs—all with proven expertise, creativity, and heart. The work is challenging, but that’s what draws us in. Because at Chemonics, we thrive where others hesitate.

If you’re already part of this mission, thank you. And if you’re thinking about joining us—know that your ideas, skills, and energy are exactly what the future demands.

This is more than a job. It’s a chance to drive real, lasting impact. Together, we’re building what’s next.