Business Development Manager - Youth Community and Wellbeing in Stoke-on-Trent

Overview

To drive the growth and success of Acorn Training’s contracts in your allocated region, building and maintaining strategic partnerships with new and existing employers, serving as a representative at key forums, managing business opportunities, and fostering local connections to secure support that ensures sustained growth, achievement and profitability of the designated contracts.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively promote Acorn Training’s services and training programmes effectively.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and execute effective marketing campaigns.
• Identify and develop productive and sustainable relationships with potential employers, partners and wider stakeholders.
• Actively prospect to maintain a strong pipeline of potential and future learners, employers and referral partners relevant to the contract requirements.
• Be responsible for your pipeline of opportunities, including lead generation, meetings and closing sales against the contract to grow its value.
• Manage your pipeline of data effectively and efficiently to maximise conversion rates and continuously strive to enhance it.
• Keep your knowledge up to date in all sectors to provide personalised, passionate and ethical information, advice and guidance to potential employers and customers at all given opportunities.
• Use CRM and other systems accurately and consistently to document your progress with your pipeline, demonstrations and meetings for daily forecasting.
• Work with your team to ensure a smooth transition from sale through onboarding to delivery.
• Attend networking events and exhibitions in your region to become familiar with your target audience and their needs.
• Share knowledge and best practices with your colleagues and peers to enhance the experience of potential customers.
• Contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the business, offering new suggestions and ideas wherever possible.
• Achieve the KPIs set on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
• Ensure consistently high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.

Key Performance Indicators

• Achievement of apprenticeship sales and revenue targets within the business skills sector
• Growth in employer, learner and stakeholder base
• Achievement of specific contract requirements
• Development of key partnerships
• Market share increase across region
• Positive brand image and recognition across region
• Timely and accurate reporting

Qualifications and Training

• Level 3 customer service, business development, sales management or equivalent qualification (essential)
• GCSE grade A*‑C (or equivalent) in English and Maths (essential)
• Full driving licence and access to vehicle with business use insurance (essential)
• Level 4 management qualification (desirable)
• IOSH health and safety qualification (desirable)

Experience

• Minimum of three years of business development experience, with a track record of meeting or exceeding apprenticeship sales targets (essential)
• Experience in the private training or education sector (essential)
• Prior experience in developing partnerships with other education providers (essential)
• Demonstrated success in building and managing a sales team (desirable)

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of current business development and sales strategies (essential)
• Familiarity with industry regulations and compliance (essential)
• Commitment to income generation and commercial activity (essential)
• Understanding of adult learning principles and educational methodologies (desirable)

Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills (essential)
• Customer‑focused and client‑centric mindset (essential)
• Strong negotiation and relationship building abilities (essential)
• Strong analytical skills for data‑driven decision-making (essential)
• Effective project management and time management skills (essential)
• Proactive and results‑oriented (essential)
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic industry (essential)
• Positive attitude and enthusiasm for the training sector (essential)
• Committed to continuous learning and self‑improvement (essential)
• Proficient in using sales and CRM software (desirable)
• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking (desirable)

Job Benefits

• Flexible working including home‑based, centre‑based or hybrid job role dependant
• Up to 26 days annual leave, with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days
• Pension scheme to support your long‑term financial wellbeing
• Training and professional development, including CPD workshops and professional qualifications
• Westfield Health Scheme with benefits including 13 healthcare services, cashback towards essential health bills, counselling and therapy treatments, fast access to MRI, CT and PET scans, and discounted shopping vouchers
• Wellbeing initiatives including Wellbeing Wednesdays and the Mental Health at Work Pledge
• Disability Confident Leader, Menopause Workplace Pledge, Armed Forces Covenant, Ban the Box Employer and secure prayer spaces
• Annual paid volunteering day and charity initiatives
• Cash incentives for Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year awards
• £500 recommend a friend scheme

Equal Opportunity

We welcome applications from all suitably‑qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, ethnic or social origin, religion, belief or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, reasonable adjustments can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.