At a Glance
- Tasks: Generate new business and manage client accounts in payroll training.
- Company: Join a fast-growing tech company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Gain autonomy, learn, grow, and make an impact in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with AI tools and develop your career.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting journey in the digital practice of tomorrow.
- Qualifications: Experience in sales or account management; strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About The Payroll Centre and Bright
New to the Bright Software Group, The Payroll Centre has been providing expert payroll training and qualifications for more than 25 years, supporting organisations and individuals to consistently produce compliant and accurate payrolls through on-demand expertise and professional development. At Bright, we are powering the digital practice of tomorrow – today. We deliver products that help accountants, payroll bureaus, and businesses across the UK and Ireland work smarter and win more. Our innovative solutions and outstanding customer experiences enable our customers to run their businesses efficiently and serve their customers brilliantly. We believe understanding is the difference between working and winning.
About This Role
As Business Development Executive you will be responsible for generating new business and managing existing client accounts across the full range of Payroll Centre training products, memberships, and the Act learning platform. This is a consultative sales role. The BDE needs to understand the payroll landscape their clients operate in — compliance obligations, team structures, training gaps — and match solutions to those needs with precision.
What You'll Do
- Lead Generation and Prospecting: Identify target organisations — SMEs, large enterprises, multi-site businesses, and agencies — that require payroll training. Generate leads through cold calling, networking, email outreach, LinkedIn, events, and partnerships. Qualify prospects to understand payroll volumes, pay frequencies, industry challenges, and existing systems.
- Understanding Client Needs: Identify key decision-makers within target organisations: HR Directors, Payroll Managers, Finance Approvers, and Training Managers. Conduct detailed payroll needs assessments, covering compliance issues, staff turnover, and complexity flags. Understand clients’ compliance pain points — RTI submissions, pension auto-enrolment, statutory payments, and HMRC requirements. Present solutions that align with clients’ operational and regulatory needs.
- Client Relationship Management: Serve as the day-to-day contact for assigned clients, building strong and trusted relationships. Check in regularly to ensure satisfaction, identify challenges, and surface opportunities for improvement. Manage client expectations and communicate updates proactively.
- Account Growth and Retention: Identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities within existing accounts. Prepare tailored proposals and quotes for additional services or enhancements. Monitor client engagement and take action to prevent attrition.
- Solution Presentation and Demonstrations: Deliver tailored demos of payroll training products and the Act platform, explaining key features clearly. Showcase cost savings, efficiency improvements, and risk reduction outcomes.
- Sales and Revenue: Create quotes and pricing structures based on payroll complexity and volume. Achieve monthly and quarterly sales targets for new client acquisition and existing client revenue.
- Internal Collaboration: Work closely with Act Account Managers, Marketing, and the Operations/Customer Success team to ensure smooth client onboarding. Share market insights to support product development and marketing strategy. Provide regular feedback on client requirements, industry trends, and competitive activity.
- Reporting and Administration: Maintain accurate records of interactions, leads, and opportunities in the CRM. Produce sales forecasts, pipeline updates, and monthly reports for management. Track conversion rates, lost-deal reasons, and customer feedback.
What We're Looking For
- Essential: Experience in business development, sales, or account management — particularly in a non-face-to-face environment. Strong communication, negotiation, and consultative selling skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and digital lead-generation channels. Ability to explain technical processes clearly to non-technical clients. Strong organisational and time-management skills; able to manage multiple accounts without losing pace. Proactive and customer-centric approach to service. Comfortable working alongside AI tools; curious about how technology can make you better at your job.
- Desirable: Background in payroll, HR, or professional training services. Experience with payroll software or compliance frameworks (RTI, HMRC, pension auto-enrolment). Familiarity with IPASS or equivalent payroll qualifications.
Working With Us
We have a collaborative culture where you can be yourself. Even at 400+ people, there is still a team feel. People are genuinely looked after here, it’s not just something we say. You get real autonomy to learn, to grow, to make an impact. And right now is a genuinely exciting time to join. We’re growing fast, we’re investing heavily in AI, and that creates real opportunity for the business and for the people in it. It’s a place where curious people thrive.
Business Development Executive - 3 month contract in Petersfield employer: Bright
At The Payroll Centre, part of the Bright Software Group, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With over 25 years of expertise in payroll training, we offer meaningful career growth opportunities and the chance to make a real impact in a rapidly evolving industry. Join us in a dynamic environment where innovation meets personal development, and be part of a team that genuinely cares about your success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Executive - 3 month contract in Petersfield
✨Get Involved in Local Networking Events
Sales and business development thrive on personal connections, so hit up local networking events! These gatherings are a goldmine for temporary roles, allowing us to meet potential employers like Bright in person and leave a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Industry-Specific Job Boards
Jump onto job boards tailored for sales roles like SalesGravy or AngelList. Temporary positions often pop up there, so keep your eyes peeled and apply directly to roles that excite you — this could fast-track your application with companies like Bright.
✨Perfect Your Elevator Pitch
In sales, we know how crucial first impressions are. Craft a snappy elevator pitch that highlights your strengths and your interest in temporary roles. That way, when you meet someone from Bright or another potential employer, you’re ready to wow them on the spot!
✨Follow Up and Stay Engaged
After applying for a temporary position, don’t sit back and wait! Shoot a follow-up email about a week later. This shows your enthusiasm for the role at Bright and helps keep you on their radar — you might just make the right kind of noise!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Executive - 3 month contract in Petersfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Sales Skills:In sales and business development, it's all about proving you can drive results. Make sure your CV highlights any previous experience in hitting targets or boosting sales. Numbers really speak — include any sales figures or goals you've smashed to grab our attention!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:This is your chance to shine! Talk about why you're excited about the temporary role at Bright and how your skills can help us thrive. We want to see your motivation and how you can bring value to our team in a short period.
Highlight Your Relationship-Building Skills:Sales is all about connections. In your application, don't forget to mention your ability to build relationships with clients or colleagues. Share any examples where you've successfully nurtured partnerships or handled client objections — these stories can really help us see your potential.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary position, let us know when you're available to start and how flexible you are with hours. This clarity helps us assess how well you fit into our immediate needs at Bright!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bright
✨Know Your Numbers
In sales and business development, being numbers-savvy is crucial. Brush up on key metrics like conversion rates and sales growth percentages that are relevant to the role at Bright. It’s all about showing you can analyse data to drive better decisions.
✨Be Prepared for Role-Play Scenarios
Expect role-play scenarios where you're asked to sell a product or handle objections. It’s a great chance to showcase your communication skills and your approach to overcoming challenges. Practice these with a friend or in front of the mirror – it can really help you feel at ease during the interview!
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary gig, emphasise your adaptability and willingness to jump in quickly. Share examples of how you've successfully adjusted to changes in previous roles or projects. Bright will want to know you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Network and Collaborations
Temporary roles often require a strong network. Bring up any partnerships or connections you have that could benefit Bright. Whether it’s past clients or industry contacts, showing you can leverage relationships is a big plus in sales!