Opportunity and Growth Manager in Leeds

Opportunity and Growth Manager in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 45000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) Working from home possible
Compass Associates

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and manage business development for a respected deaf charity, shaping growth strategies.
  • Company: Join a nationally respected charity dedicated to creating opportunities for deaf people.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, remote work, and in-house BSL training.
  • Other info: Experience genuine autonomy and career progression in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while building a vital function from the ground up.
  • Qualifications: Proven track record in securing income through tenders and strong bid writing skills.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.

This position does not offer sponsorship. We are unable to accept applications from individuals who require a visa to work in the UK.

Overview

Compass Associates is proud to be working with a nationally respected deaf charity with a clear and compelling mission to create opportunity, achievement, and equality for deaf people across the UK to appoint an Opportunity and Growth Manager. This is a senior, strategic growth leadership position with real scope to shape and build a business development function from the ground up. If you have a proven track record of winning income through competitive tenders and commissioned contracts, and you want to do that in a role with genuine purpose and autonomy, this is an outstanding opportunity.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Director of Commercial and Statutory Growth, the Opportunity and Growth Manager will own the organisation’s full opportunity pipeline across both commercial and statutory income streams. You will be responsible for identifying and prioritising opportunities, leading bid/no-bid decisions, setting bid strategy, and personally leading on high-value and complex submissions. This is a genuinely exciting time to join. The business development function is being redefined, and the postholder will have real autonomy to build systems, processes, and team capability in their own way. There is no off-the-shelf model to inherit; the right person will shape how this function operates.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the full opportunity pipeline, ensuring statutory, commercial, and service-aligned opportunities are identified, assessed, prioritised, and progressed in line with strategic objectives and income targets.
  • Lead bid/no-bid decisions, setting clear direction on which opportunities to pursue based on strategic fit, capacity, risk, and likelihood of success.
  • Set bid strategy, win themes, and organisational positioning for priority opportunities, ensuring submissions are aligned to commissioner requirements.
  • Personally lead on high-value, complex, and competitive bids and tenders.
  • Analyse and quality-assure bid contributions from the wider team, shaping narrative and ensuring submissions tell a compelling story.
  • Build and maintain senior relationships with commissioners, contracting authorities, funders, and strategic partners.
  • Develop commercial models, pricing approaches, and budget assumptions in collaboration with finance colleagues.
  • Build competitive intelligence systems, pipeline tracking dashboards, and continuous improvement processes.
  • Liaise with department managers, directors, and heads of services to understand income priorities and align pipeline activity accordingly.
  • Provide leadership, direction, and development support to the Opportunity and Growth Coordinator and Partnerships Officer.

Requirements

  • A demonstrable track record of securing income through competitive tenders, bids, or commissioned contracts.
  • High-level bid writing ability, both independently and in reviewing and quality assuring others’ contributions.
  • Sound strategic judgement with experience of leading bid/no-bid decisions and opportunity prioritisation.
  • Senior stakeholder management experience, particularly with commissioners, local authorities, or statutory funders.
  • Confidence and presence, able to engage credibly at the highest level and think on your feet in unfamiliar territory.
  • Strong planning, prioritisation, and decision-making skills in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
  • Experience of building and managing a high-performing opportunity pipeline with clear conversion metrics.
  • Genuine openness to learning British Sign Language (BSL) and embracing deaf culture; full in-house training is provided.

Benefits

  • £45,000 per annum.
  • Fully remote working (London office available if preferred).
  • Standard annual leave and pension.
  • In-house BSL training delivered by the organisation’s own commercial training service.
  • Real autonomy to shape and build the business development function.
  • Career progression pathway.

Contact Details

To apply or to request a full candidate briefing pack, please contact Ed Amaral on 02394214487 or email.

Opportunity and Growth Manager in Leeds employer: Compass Associates

Joining our team as an Opportunity and Growth Manager offers you the chance to make a meaningful impact within a nationally respected deaf charity dedicated to creating opportunities and equality for deaf individuals across the UK. With fully remote working options, a commitment to professional development through in-house British Sign Language training, and the autonomy to shape a vital business development function, we provide a supportive and dynamic work culture that fosters growth and innovation.

Compass Associates

Contact Details:

Compass Associates Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Opportunity and Growth Manager in Leeds

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 Compass Associates.

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 Compass Associates.

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 Compass Associates.

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 Compass Associates. Apply directly through us to stand out!

We think you need these skills to ace Opportunity and Growth Manager in Leeds

Business Development
Bid Writing
Strategic Judgement
Stakeholder Management
Opportunity Prioritisation
Competitive Tendering
Project Management

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 Compass Associates. 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 Opportunity and Growth Manager, 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 Compass Associates

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 Compass Associates. 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!