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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth by building relationships and connecting clients with IP experts.
- Company: Join a friendly firm that values individual contributions and offers great career prospects.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 34-hour work week, agile working, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make an impact in innovation ecosystems while developing your professional network.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and strong relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; perfect for balancing work and study.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Growth and Business Development Manager to help drive growth across our priority markets, with a particular focus on Cambridge, London and the South East. This is a client-facing role suited to someone who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities, and working closely with technical specialists to support ambitious growth plans. You’ll play a key role in connecting innovative businesses with our IP experts and helping to strengthen our presence across key innovation ecosystems.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and maintain strong networks across innovation-led communities, investors, founders, and intermediaries
- Identify and engage prospective clients and introduce them to the firm’s IP specialists
- Represent the firm at industry and networking events (UK and occasional international travel)
- Work closely with attorneys, partners and BD colleagues to develop and progress opportunities
- Manage a pipeline of prospects across priority sectors such as life sciences, advanced engineering, software/AI, transactional IP and litigation
- Gather and share market intelligence to inform BD strategy, positioning and content
- Maintain accurate records and reporting via the firm’s CRM system
Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
Essential
- Proven experience in business development within professional services (e.g. legal, IP, consulting) or technical sales
- A strong track record of relationship-building and converting prospects into clients
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills
- Strong commercial awareness and confidence in engaging senior stakeholders
- Ability to work independently across multiple offices and regions
- Willingness to travel and work flexibly, including occasional out-of-hours events
Desirable
- Experience within the IP sector or a strong affinity with science, engineering or technology
- Experience supporting partners or fee earners with BD and client development
- Established networks within Cambridge, London, the South East or other innovation clusters
- Experience working in partnership or matrix environments
We are also open to considering candidates who wish to work part-time hours.
Benefits
We pride ourselves on being small and friendly enough for you to get to know everyone – but big enough to offer you great career prospects. At Appleyard Lees, you won’t feel like a number or just another cog in the wheel. We understand everyone is individual and offer a friendly and supportive place to work and learn. We also offer:
- 34 hour working week, Monday - Friday
- Agile working
- A supportive and friendly place to work and learn
- Annual salary review
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Salary Exchange
- Life assurance
- Healthcare Cash Plan & Wellbeing App
- Group Income Protection
- Long Service Milestones
- Social outings
- Vouchers on Christmas, Birthdays and Special Occasions
- Charity events
Growth and Business Development Manager in Cambridge employer: Appleyard Lees & Co
Contact Detail:
Appleyard Lees & Co Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Growth and Business Development Manager in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. Building relationships can lead to opportunities you might not find online.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in reaching out to potential clients. Don’t wait for them to come to you; instead, identify businesses that could benefit from your expertise and make the first move. A personalised email or a quick call can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your knowledge! Share insights and market intelligence on platforms like LinkedIn. This not only positions you as an expert but also attracts attention from those looking for someone with your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Growth and Business Development Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Growth and Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in business development, especially within professional services, and showcase your relationship-building skills. We want to see how you can connect with clients and drive growth!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention any relevant networks or experiences that make you a great fit for our team.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to convert prospects into clients. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve increased revenue or built strong client relationships, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Appleyard Lees & Co
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the growth landscape of Cambridge, London, and the South East. Familiarise yourself with key players in innovation-led communities and understand the specific challenges they face. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commercial awareness and show that you're ready to engage with senior stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Networking Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built and maintained strong networks in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your relationship-building led to successful client conversions. This will highlight your interpersonal skills and your ability to connect innovative businesses with IP specialists.
✨Understand the Role of IP
Brush up on the basics of intellectual property and its importance in business development. If you have experience in the IP sector, be sure to share relevant stories. If not, express your enthusiasm for learning and how you can leverage your technical sales background to support the firm's goals.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Think about how you would manage a pipeline of prospects across priority sectors like life sciences and advanced engineering. Prepare to discuss your approach to gathering market intelligence and how it informs your business development strategies. This will show that you’re proactive and strategic in your thinking.
