At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development to create impactful opportunities for children and families.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, a trusted organisation dedicated to improving children's lives for over 150 years.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team making a positive impact across the UK.
- Why this job: Use your skills to shape services that change childhoods and transform lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development, commissioning, or partnerships is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Help us create and secure opportunities that change children's lives. At Barnardo's, we believe every child and young person should be safe, happy, healthy and hopeful. For more than 150 years, we have worked alongside children, young people and families across the UK. Today, our services, partnerships and influencing work help children and families facing some of the toughest challenges. These include poverty, poor mental health, care experience, exploitation, family support, disadvantage and uncertainty about the future.
We are now looking for a Head of Business Development to lead a function that plays a vital role in making this work possible. This is a senior leadership role for someone who wants to use their business development, commissioning, bid or partnership experience to create practical routes to impact. You will help Barnardo's identify, shape and secure high‑quality opportunities that improve the lives of children, young people and families.
As Head of Business Development, you will lead Barnardo's Business Development function. The role is hybrid working from a Barnardo's Hub/office or home address with regular travel required across the UK. You will set the standards, systems and ways of working that help us pursue the right opportunities in the right way.
- Lead a UK‑wide Business Development function.
- Oversee our commissioned pipeline.
- Strengthen how we qualify and prioritise opportunities.
- Support high‑quality bids, tenders and proposals.
- Improve governance, learning and quality assurance.
- Use data, market intelligence and commissioner insight to support better decisions.
- Work across Barnardo's to shape opportunities that are credible, deliverable and sustainable.
You will work closely with senior colleagues across children's services, finance, legal, service design, partnerships, fundraising, policy, data and digital. Together, you will make sure opportunities are aligned with our strategy, service priorities, financial sustainability and risk appetite. This role has a clear growth dimension, but the purpose is broader than income. It is about helping Barnardo's create and secure opportunities that allow more children, young people and families to get the support they need. You will also help us develop a more connected approach to opportunity development. This includes commissioned services, grant‑funded opportunities, strategic partnerships and social investment where these can strengthen our impact.
Are you an experienced business development, commissioning, bid or partnership leader? We are looking for someone with strong experience in business development, public service commissioning, bid management, partnerships, tendering or a comparable field. You will understand how to lead opportunities from early intelligence through to decision‑making, proposal development and submission. You will know how to balance ambition with risk, quality, deliverability and financial sustainability. You will also be able to lead people well. The role requires someone who can set clear expectations, build confidence, support learning and help a skilled team continue to develop its practice. You do not need to have followed one particular career path. You may come from children's services, wider public services, health, social care, education, housing, the voluntary sector, local government, consultancy, business development or another relevant environment. What matters is that you can bring strategic judgement, strong bid and commissioning insight, and a clear commitment to improving children's lives.
This is an opportunity to lead business development in an organisation with UK‑wide reach, deep local relationships and a clear purpose. You will be joining Barnardo's at a time when children, young people and families need ambitious, practical and sustainable support. You will help us work with commissioners, funders, partners and colleagues to shape services and opportunities that make a real difference. If you want to use your skills to help change childhoods and change lives, we would like to hear from you.
Head of Business Development (23122) employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating meaningful change in the lives of children and families across the UK. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to lead impactful initiatives, you will be part of a team that prioritises social good while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. Join us in making a difference where your skills can truly transform lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Development (23122)
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by BARNARDOS.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like BARNARDOS.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at BARNARDOS.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at BARNARDOS. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development (23122)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of BARNARDOS. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Business Development (23122), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of BARNARDOS. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
