Senior Business Development Manager - Automotive

Akkodis; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Akkodis Consulting & Solutions UK seeks a Senior Business Manager to lead strategic, solutions-led growth and cultivate lasting client partnerships. You will own the full sales cycle from opportunity creation to deal closure and mentor colleagues to drive high performance.

Regular engagement with senior stakeholders and close collaboration with Technical Operations and Talent Acquisition will ensure delivery aligns with client needs and market opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in consultative, solutions-led sales within tech/engineering/professional services.
• Ability to manage complex multi-stakeholder sales cycles from initial engagement to closure.
• Experience leading RFIs/RFPs and bid processes with focus on value and delivery alignment.
• Exposure to technical solutioning to shape commercially viable proposals.
• Collaboration with delivery, operations and recruitment to execute scalable client solutions.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and manage long-term strategic client relationships built on trust and outcomes.
• Drive new business through insight-led engagement and value-led solutions.
• Lead multi-stream growth within existing accounts ensuring alignment with client priorities.
• Oversee responses to RFIs, RFPs, and bids with commercial and delivery alignment.
• Collaborate with Technical Operations to scope requirements and shape delivery feasibility.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to define recruitment needs and mobilise for engagements.
• Monitor account performance including revenue growth, P&L health and risk mitigation.
• Provide mentorship to Business Manager-level colleagues and support development.

Skills

Consultative sales

Pricing & negotiation

Relationship building

Cross-functional collaboration

Org & multi-opportunities

Education

Degree in Business Management/Engineering/IT

Job description

Akkodis is a global leader in engineering, technology, and R&D, harnessing the power of connected data to drive digital transformation and innovation for a smarter, more sustainable future. As part of the Adecco Group, Akkodis combines the expertise of AKKA and Modis, with over 50,000 engineers and digital specialists across 30 countries in North America, EMEA, and APAC. Our teams bring extensive cross-sector knowledge in critical technology areas such as mobility, software services, robotics, simulations, cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics, enabling clients to tackle complex challenges in today’s rapidly evolving markets.

With a comprehensive solution portfolio across four service lines—Consulting, Solutions, Talents, and Academy—Akkodis supports clients from concept through to full-scale deployment and optimisation. Our diverse offerings help organisations rethink product development, accelerate productivity, reduce time-to-market, and prepare for the future. At Akkodis, you’ll join a dynamic environment that values continuous learning and global collaboration, where you can make a meaningful impact through innovative projects that shape the future of technology.

Scope

This role operates within Akkodis Consulting & Solutions UK and is primarily responsible for driving commercial growth through strategic, relationship-led business development. The Business Management team will focus on acquiring new clients, growing existing accounts, and ensuring long-term client satisfaction. The role requires close collaboration with the Technical Operations and Talent Acquisition teams to align solutions with delivery capabilities and ensure resourcing is matched to client needs.

Role

The Senior Business Manager (SBM) is a senior commercial leader within Akkodis Consulting & Solutions UK, driving strategic, solutions-led business development. Focused on long-term client partnerships, the SBM leads the full sales cycle from opportunity creation to deal closure working closely with Technical Operations and Talent Acquisition to ensure delivery and resourcing align with client needs.

Beyond individual performance, the SBM mentors and guides Business Manager-level colleagues, sharing best practices and supporting their development. They take ownership of account P&L, focusing on margin growth, forecasting, and commercial governance.

The role involves regular engagement with senior client stakeholders and internal reporting to Business Unit Directors, contributing to strategic planning and growth across the portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and manage long-term, strategic client relationships built on trust, consultation, and shared outcomes.
• Drive new business through insight-led engagement, proactive prospecting, and positioning of tailored, value-led solutions.
• Identify and lead multi-stream growth opportunities within existing accounts, ensuring alignment with client priorities and Akkodis' capabilities.
• Oversee and coordinate high-quality responses to RFIs, RFPs, and technical bids, ensuring commercial and delivery alignment.
• Build and validate cost models, safeguarding margin integrity and ensuring commercial sustainability.
• Deliver compelling solution proposals to senior client stakeholders, both technical and non-technical.
• Collaborate with Technical Operations to scope client requirements, shape solution design, and confirm delivery feasibility.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to define strategic recruitment needs and support mobilisation for active and forecasted engagements.
• Monitor and report on account performance, including revenue growth, P&L health, client satisfaction, and risk mitigation.
• Actively contribute to market and competitor analysis to inform strategic planning and client engagement strategies.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Business Manager-level colleagues, supporting their development and contributing to a high-performance culture.
• Engage regularly with Business Unit Directors and other senior stakeholders, feeding into strategic account reviews and business planning.

Required Experience

• Proven track record of success in consultative, solutions-led sales within the technology, engineering, or professional services sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles from early engagement through to commercial closure.
• Strong experience leading responses to RFIs, RFPs, and formal bid processes, with a focus on strategic value and delivery alignment.
• Exposure to technical solutioning, with the ability to shape and position commercially viable proposals based on client needs.
• Experience working cross-functionally with delivery, operations, and recruitment teams to execute scalable client solutions.
• Comfortable engaging and influencing senior internal and external stakeholders, including executive-level decision makers.
• Commercially astute, with experience managing account-level P&L, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Prior experience mentoring or supporting the development of peers or junior colleagues is highly desirable.

Required Skills

• Strong consultative sales skills with the ability to uncover client challenges and co-develop solutions.
• Commercially astute with experience in pricing, proposal development, and contract negotiation.
• Effective communicator and relationship builder, able to influence senior decision-makers across technical and commercial functions.
• Collaborative, proactive, and able to operate cross-functionally within a matrix organisation.
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple parallel sales opportunities and client engagements.

Required Education

• Degree in Business Management, Engineering, IT, or a related commercial or technical discipline, OR
• Equivalent professional experience in a business development or account management role within a technology or consulting-led environment.