Senior Business Development Specialist, Europe

CATS Global Schools; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CATS Global Schools seeks a Senior Business Development Manager, Europe, to lead business development and student recruitment across the Stafford House portfolio in Europe, covering adult EFL and junior/group opportunities. You will develop the European sales strategy, build pipeline, manage partner relationships and personally deliver recruitment across adult EFL, junior group and seasonal programmes.

Regular travel required and close collaboration with study holidays directors and

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in international education sales, EFL, study travel or a closely related sector.
• Proven ability to recruit adult business for English language or professional English programmes, including through agency and partner channels.
• Strong understanding of junior and group business, including group organisers, schools, seasonal programmes and institutional buying behaviour.
• Demonstrable ability to develop sales strategy and execute it personally through pipeline generation, partner development and conversion.
• Strong knowledge of European education markets, outbound study travel patterns and partner networks.
• Experience developing relationships with schools, institutions, foundations, associations or public-sector educational bodies is strongly preferred.
• Advanced English is required. Working proficiency in Spanish or Italian is required; proficiency in both Spanish and Italian would be highly advantageous.
• Strong competence in CRM systems, reporting, Microsoft Office and digital presentation tools.
• A university degree or equivalent professional experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the European sales strategy for the Stafford House portfolio, balancing adult recruitment for Stafford House International with junior and group growth for Stafford House Study Holidays.
• Recruit and convert business at scale through agents, schools, group organisers, institutions, networks and other partner channels.
• Build senior relationships with institutional partners, including schools, school networks, universities, foundations, associations, municipalities, cultural organisations, ministries and other educational bodies.
• Manage key accounts and commercial partnerships, ensuring clear proposals, pricing, forecasts, booking processes and partner expectations across adult and junior products.
• Work closely with the Stafford House Study Holidays Director on junior group opportunities, partner requirements, summer centre client issues, and any other duties reasonably required.
• Provide market intelligence on demand trends, competitor activity, pricing, partner expectations and emerging opportunities across the European EFL and junior education sectors.
• Represent the Stafford House portfolio at workshops, fairs, conferences, roadshows, school visits, institutional meetings and other recruitment activities.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, forecasts, account plans and performance reporting, and contribute to annual planning, marketing, pricing and product review cycles.

Skills

International sales

Account management

Pipeline development

Partner relationships

Strategic planning

CRM proficiency

Education

University degree

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Digital presentation tools

Job description

About CATS Global Schools

CATS Global Schools is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers. With a history dating back to 1899 and a focus on the future, the group brings together a broad portfolio of independent schools, an Arts University College, English language schools and junior programmes. Across the group, students benefit from high-quality teaching, supportive student services and progression-focused advice designed to help them build the skills and confidence needed for their next step.

About Stafford House International and Stafford House Study Holidays

Stafford House International delivers English language and professional courses for adult students, younger learners and teachers. Stafford House Study Holidays provides junior English language programmes combining tuition, activities, excursions and residential or group learning experiences. Together, the Stafford House portfolio supports students, agents and partners across the EFL and junior education sectors.

Role overview

The Senior Business Development Manager, Europe will lead business development and student recruitment across the full Stafford House portfolio in Europe, covering adult business for Stafford House International and junior and group business for Stafford House Study Holidays.

This is a commercially focused senior individual contributor role. The postholder will be responsible for developing the European sales strategy, building a strong pipeline, managing key partner relationships and personally delivering recruitment across adult EFL, professional English, junior group and seasonal programme opportunities.

The role requires a candidate who understands both adult and junior study travel channels, can work with agents and institutional partners, and can turn market opportunities into high-volume, sustainable business. The main working relationship for Study Holidays activity will be with the Stafford House Study Holidays Director. The postholder will also work closely with Stafford House International sales, admissions, operations, academic, finance and marketing colleagues to ensure strong commercial execution and client service.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the European sales strategy for the Stafford House portfolio, balancing adult recruitment for Stafford House International with junior and group growth for Stafford House Study Holidays.
• Recruit and convert business at scale through agents, schools, group organisers, institutions, networks and other partner channels.
• Build senior relationships with institutional partners, including schools, school networks, universities, foundations, associations, municipalities, cultural organisations, ministries and other educational bodies.
• Manage key accounts and commercial partnerships, ensuring clear proposals, pricing, forecasts, booking processes and partner expectations across adult and junior products.
• Work closely with the Stafford House Study Holidays Director on junior group opportunities, partner requirements, summer centre client issues, and any other duties reasonably required.
• Provide market intelligence on demand trends, competitor activity, pricing, partner expectations and emerging opportunities across the European EFL and junior education sectors.
• Represent the Stafford House portfolio at workshops, fairs, conferences, roadshows, school visits, institutional meetings and other recruitment activities.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, forecasts, account plans and performance reporting, and contribute to annual planning, marketing, pricing and product review cycles.

Qualifications and experience

• Substantial experience in international education sales, EFL, study travel or a closely related sector.
• Proven ability to recruit adult business for English language or professional English programmes, including through agency and partner channels.
• Strong understanding of junior and group business, including group organisers, schools, seasonal programmes and institutional buying behaviour.
• Demonstrable ability to develop sales strategy and execute it personally through pipeline generation, partner development and conversion.
• Strong knowledge of European education markets, outbound study travel patterns and partner networks.
• Experience developing relationships with schools, institutions, foundations, associations or public-sector educational bodies is strongly preferred.
• Experience contributing to product development, centre development, venue assessment or programme design is desirable.
• Experience supporting or resolving operational issues for business clients during programme delivery is desirable.
• Advanced English is required. Working proficiency in Spanish or Italian is required; proficiency in both Spanish and Italian would be highly advantageous.
• Strong competence in CRM systems, reporting, Microsoft Office and digital presentation tools.
• A university degree or equivalent professional experience is desirable.

Essential skills and attributes

• Commercially driven, with the ability to deliver ambitious recruitment and revenue targets across a mixed adult and junior portfolio.
• Expert relationship builder with credibility at senior institutional, agency and partner level.
• Strategic thinker who can also execute directly and remain close to market and operational detail.
• Strong negotiator with the ability to create commercially sound, partner-focused proposals.
• Confident presenter able to represent the Stafford House brands clearly and persuasively.
• Highly organised, with strong forecasting, reporting and account management discipline.
• Calm and practical problem-solver, particularly during peak delivery periods and client escalations.
• Strong understanding of student, parent, agent, group leader and institutional expectations.
• Culturally aware and able to adapt communication style across different European markets.
• Collaborative team player with the confidence to influence across sales and operations.
• Willing and able to travel regularly.

Key working relationships

• Stafford House Study Holidays Director.
• Stafford House International sales, admissions, operations and academic teams.
• Stafford House Study Holidays sales, operations, centre and academic teams.
• Marketing, finance and student services colleagues.
• Agents, schools, group organisers, institutional partners and other business clients across Europe.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values of Pioneering, Persevering and People, we aim to make CATS Global Schools an employer of choice for all colleagues and candidates.

Safeguarding

CATS Global Schools is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of children and young people. Appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. This will include satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service and, where applicable, any international equivalent. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks, which may include social media.