Business Development Manager in Ashington

We are a diverse property and investment company who deliver opportunities to improve prosperity, tackle inequalities and drive economic growth in support of Northumberland County Council. We collaborate with stakeholders and partners to deliver positive physical and economic development and focus on the needs and aspirations of the county. We have the recognition of being a Real Living Wage Employer, and other awards such as our Good Work Pledge, and the Ambassador Status for the Better Health at Work Award. We have a mission to build a better future for people in Northumberland, as we focus exclusively on regenerating the county.

Within Advance Northumberland Group we have several subsidiary companies, including our new build housing team - Ascent Homes, our residential lettings team, our commercial and investment team, our Land and Project team and our newly formed sustainability and ecology team – Advance Green Futures.

Our newly formed Ecology and Sustainability team supports the third largest habitat bank in the UK, as well as ensuring that our activities are sustainable and we reduce any harm to the environment. We have exciting plans for growth in this area of the business and to develop new business opportunities in the wider sustainability space.

As Business Development Manager, you will be at the forefront of promoting Advance Northumberland, who owns the third largest Habitat Bank in the UK. You will engage with potential buyers interested in purchasing BNG credits to offset development activities. You will have a strong understanding of construction / development activities in the region, knowing who to speak to sell this opportunity. This is a new role within the business, offering a rewarding and exciting opportunity to make a significant difference to our business, whilst establishing this new function and supporting our Ecology and Land teams. You will also drive the development of further business opportunities to expand and diversify the business areas of Advance Green Futures.

Key Attributes for this role are:

• Relentlessly proactive: You don’t need a script; you have the intuition to find the right stakeholders and the tenacity to follow up on every opportunity.
• A proven closer: You have a track record of exceeding KPIs in a New Business or BDM role.
• An effective communicator: Whether it’s a LinkedIn message, conversation with colleagues or a boardroom pitch, you articulate value with clarity and confidence.

Role Profile

Reports to: Executive Director of Governance & Sustainability
Location: Wansbeck Workspace, Ashington plus various locations to suit the needs of the business

Role Purpose: To deliver the Business Plan strategy of Advance Green Futures (AGF) with particular priority to secure sales of BNG Units from the Company’s Habitat Banks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver business opportunities for all Advance Green Future’s activities.
• Support and contribute to feasibility and development of new business streams for Advance Green Futures Ltd.
• Identify new land opportunities to develop Habitat Banks by engaging with landowners and agents in collaboration with the Land team.
• Identify and develop opportunities to manage or broker BNG Units on 3rd Party Habitat Banks by engaging with landowners and agents.
• Review, amend as appropriate, and deliver the BNG Units sales strategy to achieve annual AGF Business Plan targets.
• Drive sales enquiries and opportunities through proactive identification of potential target customers, effective client interaction and internal stakeholder management.
• Communicate new opportunities to existing and prospective clients.
• Work with the marketing team to produce and deliver marketing strategies, literature, including case studies, insights, reports and presentations.
• Attend trade and public exhibitions as required.
• Work closely with members of the Land and Ecology Teams on BNG matters.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external property contacts, including agents and landowners, to pursue opportunities for the company.

Generic Requirements for all colleagues:

• Contribute to the creation of a positive culture in line with Advance Northumberland values of Accountability, Respect, Collaboration, Ambition.
• Show commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace and ensure this is reflected in all activities.
• Ensure a safe working environment is promoted across the business.
• Contribute to the financial performance of the business, in line with role responsibilities.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested.

Our Values: We are looking for people who embody the Advance Northumberland values; people who are accountable and resilient, who are open to change with strong innovation skills. They will be collaborative; effective in relationship building and stakeholder engagement with the potential to build relationships effectively at all levels. They will demonstrate respect for our colleagues, our customers and our partners and be able to use their initiative in their work. They will be ambitious about their career and for the future.

We are offering a salary of £57,700 to £75,000 (depending on experience). We care about our people, our benefits include: Cashplan, Performance related incentive scheme, Salary Sacrifice Schemes that include Cars, Home Electronics, Bike to Work.