Business Development Manager – Commercial Grounds & Soft FM
Location: M4 Corridor (Hybrid & Field-Based)
Territory: Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire
Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 base (DOE) + commission + company car
Business Overview:
We are partnered with a well established, privately owned facilities services provider with a strong operational footprint across the South of England. The business specialises in commercial grounds maintenance, arboriculture, and winter services, delivering contracts to a loyal and diverse client base.
With several hundred permanent staff and a wider seasonal workforce, the company has built its reputation on service delivery, long term client relationships, and consistent contract retention, rather than volume driven sales.
Following the departure of a long standing Business Development Manager, the business is now looking to strengthen its commercial sales capability with a relationship-led, credible BDM who understands the commercial property landscape.
The Role:
This is a new business focused Business Development role, selling commercial soft FM services only. The focus is on developing and converting opportunities across:
- Grounds maintenance
- Arboriculture
- Winter services
This role is suited to someone who enjoys opening doors, building trust, and developing a sustainable pipeline, rather than hard selling or transactional wins.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and win new commercial contracts across:
- Managing agents
- Business and industrial parks
- Leisure parks
- Schools, colleges, and care homes
- Build long-term relationships with decision-makers and property stakeholders
- Manage the full sales process from initial enquiry through to contract award and handover
- Balance quick-turn opportunities with longer-term pipeline development
- Leverage existing relationships while actively opening new accounts
- Work closely with operational teams to ensure realistic, deliverable solutions
- Attend client meetings and Teams calls as a trusted commercial representative
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Minimum 3 years' experience in business development or sales within commercial soft FM.
- Strong exposure to grounds maintenance and/or winter services or experience selling adjacent soft services (e.g. cleaning or security) into the same commercial client base.
- Proven credibility selling into commercial environments
- Existing or prior relationships within the commercial property sector
- Consultative, soft-sell approach with strong stakeholder management skills
- Comfortable managing varied sales cycles and complex buying processes
- Demonstrated ability to open doors and develop repeat business
- Full UK driving licence
Salary Guidance (Indicative)
- Junior BDM (3+ years, soft services): £35,000–£40,000
- Experienced Soft FM BDM: circa £50,000
- Grounds Maintenance / Winter Services Specialist: up to £60,000
- (Salary dependent on sector alignment, credibility, and existing relationships.)
Why This Opportunity?
- Join a stable, privately owned business with long-term clients and strong retention
- Defined territory with an established service offering
- Relationship-led sales culture with realistic targets
- Opportunity to inherit and develop an existing commercial footprint
- High level of autonomy with operational support behind you
To apply or learn more, please contact Sarah at Sarah@ark-recruitment.com
Contact Detail:
Ark Recruitment EST Recruiting Team