At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth and build partnerships in children's social care and education services.
- Company: Rapidly growing provider of Ofsted-regulated children's services.
- Benefits: £55,000 salary, 10% KPI bonus, career development, and hybrid work.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to improving outcomes for children.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in business development or social care with strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
Salary: £55,000 + 10% KPI Bonus
Location: Hybrid – 2 days working in the Leeds Office
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Diamond Search Recruitment are delighted to be representing a highly respected and rapidly growing provider of Ofsted-regulated children's services in their search for an experienced Business Development Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded professional with a strong background in children's social care, supported accommodation, residential care, or education services to play a pivotal role in driving growth, strengthening commissioner relationships, and supporting service expansion across the organisation.
The Opportunity
As Business Development Manager, you will lead strategic growth initiatives across a portfolio of Ofsted-regulated services, working closely with operational leadership teams to maximise occupancy, secure new placement opportunities, and develop long-term partnerships with local authorities and commissioning bodies. This position offers a unique blend of strategic business development, placements management, stakeholder engagement, and market analysis within a purpose-driven organisation committed to improving outcomes for young people.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Business Development
- Partner closely with Regional Operations Teams to drive sustainable growth and service expansion.
- Align business development activity with operational capacity and organisational objectives.
- Provide market intelligence, commissioner insights, and sector expertise to support service planning.
- Identify emerging opportunities and ensure service offerings remain competitive and responsive to local needs.
- Placements & Referral Management
- Lead and develop the Placements Team, ensuring the efficient management of high-volume referral activity.
- Oversee the end-to-end placement and matching process across supported accommodation and residential services.
- Monitor referral pipelines, conversion rates, and occupancy performance.
- Deliver regular performance analysis and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Commissioner & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Local Authority Commissioners, housing partners, and sector stakeholders.
- Identify and secure new business opportunities and collaborative partnerships.
- Represent the organisation at industry events, forums, and strategic meetings.
- Regulatory & Sector Expertise
- Maintain expert knowledge of Ofsted regulations and relevant sector developments.
- Ensure all business development activities and placement processes remain fully compliant.
- Provide guidance to internal teams on regulatory changes and best practice.
- Reporting & Commercial Insight
- Produce and present weekly trading reports and executive dashboards.
- Analyse referral activity, occupancy levels, conversion rates, market trends, and growth opportunities.
- Deliver actionable insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making by senior leadership.
About You
- Minimum 3 years' experience in business development, commissioning, placements, or strategic leadership within children's social care.
- Strong knowledge of supported accommodation and/or residential children's services.
- Proven success in developing relationships with local authorities, commissioners, and key sector stakeholders.
- Experience leading placements functions or managing complex referral pathways.
- Excellent understanding of Ofsted regulations, commissioning frameworks, procurement processes, and funding pathways.
- Strong commercial awareness with a track record of identifying and securing growth opportunities.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into business strategy.
- Experience collaborating with operational leadership teams within social care, housing, or education settings.
- Relevant qualification in Social Care, Business Development, Housing, Education, or a related discipline.
What's on Offer
- £55,000 basic salary
- 10% KPI-based annual bonus
- Opportunity to join a growing and ambitious organisation making a genuine difference to young people's lives
- Strategic leadership role with significant influence on future growth
- Supportive and collaborative senior leadership team
- Career development and progression opportunities
If you have the experience, commercial drive, and sector knowledge required to succeed in this role, we would love to hear from you. Apply today for a confidential discussion.
Diamond Search Recruitment is acting as an employment agency regarding this vacancy.
Business Development Manager in Leeds employer: Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd
Join a highly respected and rapidly growing provider of Ofsted-regulated children's services, where you will play a pivotal role in driving growth and making a genuine difference in young people's lives. With a supportive and collaborative senior leadership team, this hybrid position offers not only a competitive salary and KPI bonus but also ample opportunities for career development and progression within a purpose-driven organisation committed to improving outcomes for children. Experience a dynamic work culture that values strategic leadership and fosters strong relationships with local authorities and stakeholders.
Contact Details:
Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the children's social care sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or at networking events, make sure to highlight your knowledge of Ofsted regulations and your experience in business development. This will set you apart as a candidate who truly understands the landscape.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific from the interview that resonated with you. It shows you're genuinely interested and keeps you top of mind.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly through us ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new roles as they come up!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in children's social care and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your background fits perfectly with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills can drive growth in our organisation. Keep it engaging and make sure to connect your experiences to the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements rather than just duties. Use numbers and examples to demonstrate your success in business development and stakeholder engagement. We love seeing quantifiable results that show your impact!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Ofsted regulations and the children's social care sector. Being able to discuss recent developments or challenges in the industry will show that you're not just interested in the role, but also passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Prepare examples of how you've built and maintained relationships with local authorities and commissioners. Highlight specific instances where your networking skills led to new business opportunities or partnerships, as this is crucial for the Business Development Manager role.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Whether it's analysing referral pipelines or occupancy rates, demonstrating your analytical mindset will impress interviewers and show that you can contribute to strategic decision-making.
✨Align with Their Mission
Understand the organisation's commitment to improving outcomes for young people. Be prepared to articulate how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission through your business development strategies.
