Senior External Business Development Manager - London

Octopus; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment firm is seeking an External Business Development Manager to join their Retail Sales Team in Greater London. The role involves developing sales strategies, nurturing relationships with Financial Advisers and Private Banks, and collaborating with internal teams. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in business development, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively. The company offers competitive salary and benefits, along with a culture that values diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working

Private medical insurance

Electric vehicle leasing

Enhanced family leave policies

Take what you need holiday

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a business development role dealing with IFAs.
• A track record of growing existing relationships and attracting new ones.
• High-quality interpersonal skills, honesty, and integrity.
• Strong leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver a regional sales strategy.
• Build and grow relationships with Financial Advisers and Private Banks.
• Lead face-to-face meetings, events, and presentations.
• Collaborate with Internal Business Development Managers.

Skills

Proven experience in a business development role dealing with IFAs

High-quality interpersonal skills

Strong leadership skills

Articulate communication style

Job description

Company Description

At Octopus, we’re entrepreneurs and we’re investors, on a mission to back the people, ideas and industries that will change the world.

We think working here is great, but we’re understandably bias. Click here to explore Life at Octopus.

What’s in it for you?

We’re looking for an External Business Development Manager (EBDM) to join our Retail Sales Team at Octopus Investments, covering a defined region with a mix of established and growth accounts. You’ll be joining a high‑performing, fast‑paced team that’s passionate about delivering world‑class service to our network of Financial Advisers and Private Banks.

You’ll have the autonomy to run your own regional sales strategy, build long‑term relationships, and drive sales into our market‑leading investment products. You’ll be supported by a collaborative team, bespoke training, and a culture that rewards ambition and integrity.

The team

Our Retail Sales Team is known for its technical expertise and personal service. As an EBDM, you’ll be at the heart of our success, educating and engaging with advisers, collaborating with internal teams, and helping shape the future of tax‑efficient investing.

What you’ll be doing

• Own and deliver a regional sales strategy
• Build and grow relationships with Financial Advisers and Private Banks
• Lead face‑to‑face meetings, events and presentations
• Collaborate with Internal Business Development Managers to create and execute business plans
• Communicate a complex suite of investment solutions with clarity and confidence
• Work closely with Fund Managers and Business Line Managers to ensure product alignment
• Keep CRM systems updated and manage a busy inbox with ease
• Always act in the best interest of the customer

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

• ✔️ Proven experience in a business development role dealing with IFAs
• ✔️ A track record of growing existing relationships and attracting new ones
• ✔️ High‑quality interpersonal skills, honesty and integrity
• ✔️ A clear, articulate communication style
• ✔️ Strong leadership skills

Bonus points if you have:

• ⭐ Additional qualifications or experience in financial services
• ⭐ A strong financial adviser network in London
• ⭐ Knowledge of tax‑efficient investments and inheritance tax advice

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick every box. What’s the worst that can happen?

This role will evolve as we grow and develop. So, if you’re looking for a challenge in a fast‑paced and dynamic business, we can deliver on that.

What we offer

• A competitive salary, bonus, pension and share incentive plan
• ✈️ Take what you need holiday
• Flexible working
• ⚓ Anchor (our wellness hub) which includes Headspace, one to one coaching through Sanctus, Parent Cloud, Digital GP, Shout & more
• Enhanced family leave policies
• ❤️ Life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection
• Private medical insurance for you and your family
• Electric vehicle leasing
• The option to work overseas up to a month per year

Our Values

At our core, we believe that how a company behaves is just as important as what it does. That’s why we chose to become an accredited B Corp (the equivalent of a Fairtrade coffee stamp but for companies) and to change our Articles of Association so that the interests of all our stakeholders – employees, customers, communities, environment and shareholders – are considered in every decision we make.

We are committed to building a workplace where diversity is valued, and inclusion is a priority. By providing equal opportunities for growth and development, we embrace and celebrate all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, and socio‑economic backgrounds. We believe teams achieve their best when every member feels safe, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves.

We're proud to be disability confident and are committed to supporting candidates with a disability, including neurodiversity and mental health conditions, throughout the recruitment process. Applicants are welcome to opt‑in to the disability confident scheme as part of our application process. If you require any adjustments to the interview process, we’ll be happy to accommodate where possible.