At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth and develop strategic partnerships in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Acorn, a leading provider of Hard Facilities Management services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, wellbeing benefits, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement and to work with diverse clients across various sectors.
- Why this job: Lead a high-performing team and make a significant impact on business development.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in business development with a strong track record in winning tenders.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About Acorn
Acorn is a leading provider of Hard Facilities Management services across London, the Home Counties and the South of England. We deliver a comprehensive range of technical and engineering solutions that ensure the safe, compliant and efficient operation of Mechanical, Electrical and Hard FM assets. Our client base spans premium commercial offices, selected retail, high-end residential, education, healthcare and hotels. We are proud of our long-term partnerships, tailoring solutions that integrate seamlessly with our clients’ operations and allow them to focus on their core business.
Location: Slough, Berkshire
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Business Development Director to drive Acorn’s next phase of growth. This senior leadership role carries responsibility for revenue growth, market expansion and the development of high-value strategic partnerships. You will lead a multidisciplinary team covering business development, bidding and marketing, while working closely with the Managing Director, Operations Director and wider Mecsia Group colleagues. The role requires a strong balance of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, with involvement across complex public sector tenders and bespoke commercial proposals.
Package & Benefits
- Location: Slough, Berkshire
- Salary: DOE
- Hours: Mon-Friday, 37.5 hours
- Company Benefits:
- Pension scheme
- Company Events
- Wellbeing Benefits – 24 hours turnaround GP appointment for the whole family
- 25 days holiday (not including bank holidays)
Key Responsibilities
- Sales Leadership
- Take ownership of Acorn’s new business revenue targets across service, maintenance and projects
- Identify, develop and convert new business opportunities across target sectors
- Analyse market trends, customer needs and competitor activity to inform strategy
- Lead and support the end-to-end bid, tender and proposal process
- Build and maintain a strong professional network to generate sustainable opportunities
- Negotiate and close deals at operational, executive and board level
- Represent Acorn at industry events, conferences and networking opportunities
- Own and develop executive-level relationships with key clients and partners
- Define and execute account strategies focused on long-term value and growth
- Identify opportunities for upselling, cross-selling and service expansion
- Work collaboratively with clients and partners on joint campaigns, content or events
- Build, lead and mentor a high-performing business development and bid team
- Embed best practice, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
- Ensure team capability aligns with Group-wide commercial and growth objectives
- Monitor business development performance, pipelines and win rates
- Use data, feedback and debriefs to drive continuous improvement
- Keep abreast of industry developments, procurement trends and emerging opportunities
About You
- Significant senior-level experience in business development or sales leadership, ideally within Hard or Soft FM or related technical services
- A strong track record of winning complex, high-value public and private sector tenders
- Experience creating compelling, commercially robust proposals for diverse clients
Skills And Attributes
- Deep understanding of public sector procurement processes and frameworks
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to shape flexible, client-focused solutions
- Confident leader with excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Analytical, results-driven and highly organised
- Comfortable using CRM systems and Microsoft Office tools
Personal Qualities
- Strategic thinker who remains hands-on and adaptable
- Collaborative, pragmatic and solutions-oriented
- Aligned to an SME culture, with high standards of integrity and professionalism
- Willing to travel as required to support clients and business development activity
Business Development Director in Slough employer: Acorn Engineering Limited
Contact Detail:
Acorn Engineering Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Director in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events and conferences where you can meet potential clients and partners. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and share what you do. Building relationships is key to landing that Business Development Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand on LinkedIn by sharing insights about market trends and your experiences in business development. This not only highlights your knowledge but also attracts attention from recruiters looking for someone with your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company thoroughly. Understand their services, client base, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate how you can contribute to their growth and success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can drive growth. Make sure your application stands out by highlighting your achievements in winning complex tenders and building strategic partnerships.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Director in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Director role. Highlight your experience in business development, especially in Hard Facilities Management or related sectors. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for Acorn. Share specific examples of your past successes in driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior leader, we’re keen to see your leadership style. Mention how you've built and mentored teams in the past, and how you’ve driven performance improvements. We love a collaborative approach!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Engineering Limited
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into Acorn's market and their competitors. Understand the trends in Hard Facilities Management and be ready to discuss how you can leverage this knowledge to drive revenue growth and market expansion.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and developing high-performing business development strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've mentored others and fostered a collaborative environment in previous roles.
✨Master the Art of Proposal Writing
Since the role involves creating compelling proposals, brush up on your proposal writing skills. Bring examples of successful bids you've led and be prepared to discuss your approach to crafting tailored solutions for clients.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships by preparing to discuss how you've managed executive-level relationships in the past. Highlight your stakeholder management skills and how they’ve contributed to long-term partnerships.