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- Tasks: Drive participant recruitment and build strong relationships in a dynamic sales environment.
- Company: Cranfield University, a leader in technology and management education.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive community committed to diversity and flexible working.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting with diverse participants and organisations.
- Qualifications: Experience in sales or account management, ideally in higher education or B2B.
Organisation: Cranfield University
Faculty or Department: Commercial
Based at: Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work: 22 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,897 to £45,580 per annum, pro rata, with potential progression to £52,067 per annum, pro rata (22 hours per week)
Apply by: 14/04/2026
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated, customer focused sales professional to join our dynamic Commercial Team as a Business Development Manager (Open & Short Courses), working 3 days per week as part of a job share. In this pivotal role, you will drive participant recruitment, lead conversion activity and build strong customer and corporate partner relationships across a diverse portfolio of open, short and contextualised programmes. You'll act as a trusted adviser to prospective participants and organisations, using your expertise to recommend the right solutions and contribute to our annual commercial targets. You will represent Cranfield at events and work collaboratively with education development, marketing, account management and academic colleagues to ensure a seamless customer journey and a consistent, high quality experience. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a sales oriented environment where insight, initiative and relationship building make a measurable impact.
About You
You will bring proven experience in participant recruitment, consultative sales or account management, ideally within higher education, executive development or a similar B2B environment. You'll be confident engaging with senior level stakeholders, translating product knowledge into compelling value propositions, and using data to inform decision making and identify opportunities. You will be organised, proactive and resilient under pressure, with excellent communication skills and the ability to manage a busy pipeline of leads. Strong analytical ability, commercial awareness and a commitment to exceptional customer experience are essential. Experience of CRM systems and digital engagement tools will also be an advantage.
About Us
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield's world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally.
Our Values and Commitments
Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families.
Working Arrangements
Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Graham Bell, Director of Digital Education.
Please quote reference number 5274. Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.
Business Development Manager in Cranfield employer: Cranfield University
Contact Detail:
Cranfield University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Cranfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet hiring managers or attend interviews, let your passion for business development shine through. Share your experiences and how you can make an impact at Cranfield – they want to see the real you!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Research common interview questions for business development roles and practice your answers. Think about how your skills align with what Cranfield is looking for, especially around participant recruitment and relationship building.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Cranfield. So, get that application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Cranfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in participant recruitment and consultative sales, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles, especially in driving sales or building relationships. This will help us see the value you can bring to our team.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, so don’t be afraid to show us your enthusiasm for the role and the unique qualities you bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Cranfield!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cranfield University
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand Cranfield University's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their programmes, especially the open and short courses. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Sales Skills
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully driven participant recruitment or managed accounts. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your consultative sales approach.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with senior-level stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you can translate product knowledge into compelling value propositions. This is key for a Business Development Manager, so practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data to inform decision-making, be ready to discuss how you've used analytics in previous roles. Bring examples of how data has helped you identify opportunities or improve customer experiences, as this will demonstrate your commercial awareness.