At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in children's social care and education services across South England.
- Company: Join a well-established provider of Ofsted-regulated services making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, hybrid work, and impactful role.
- Other info: Opportunity to build strong relationships with local authorities and stakeholders.
- Why this job: Shape the future of vital services for young people while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in business development or commissioning within children's services required.
Diamond Search Recruitment is proud to be partnering exclusively with a well-established and growing provider of Ofsted-regulated education and children's social care services, to appoint a Business Development Manager to lead growth across their South Schools portfolio. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced business development or commissioning professional from the children's social care or independent special education sector to take ownership of a high-impact regional role, working closely with operational leaders, commissioners and senior stakeholders to shape the future of vital services for young people.
About the Role
As Business Development Manager, you will act as a strategic partner to Regional Operations Teams, driving service growth, improving occupancy and ensuring business development activity aligns with operational capacity. You'll lead the Placements Team, overseeing a high volume of referrals, and build strong relationships with Local Authority commissioners and stakeholders across the South of England.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner strategically with regional operations teams to drive growth and occupancy
- Lead and manage the Placements Team, overseeing referral and matching processes
- Monitor pipeline, conversion rates and placement activity, reporting to senior leadership
- Identify and secure new business opportunities within the education and social care sector
- Build and maintain relationships with Local Authority commissioners and key stakeholders
- Maintain expert knowledge of Ofsted regulations (2023) and EHCP processes
- Deliver weekly trading packs and reporting dashboards for MDs and the COO
- Represent the organisation at sector events, forums and strategic meetings
What We're Looking For
- Minimum 3 years' experience in business development, commissioning or strategic leadership within children's social care or education, ideally within Independent Special Schools
- Proven experience business partnering with operational teams
- Experience managing placements functions or teams handling complex, high-volume referrals
- A strong track record building partnerships with Local Authorities and commissioners
- Strong commercial acumen and analytical/strategic thinking skills
- Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
- Understanding of commissioning frameworks, funding pathways and procurement in children's services
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across South England
What's on Offer
- £55,000 – £65,000 basic salary (dependent on experience)
- 10% performance-related bonus
- Hybrid working with regular regional travel
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to outcomes for vulnerable young people
- A senior, high-visibility role reporting directly to the Commercial Director
Interested? Apply now via CV-Library or contact Diamond Search Recruitment for a confidential discussion about this exclusive opportunity. Diamond Search Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
Business Development Manager – Children's Social Care & Education in London employer: Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd
Join a well-established and reputable law firm in Faversham, Kent, where you will be part of a supportive team dedicated to delivering high levels of client care. With an attractive salary and long-term career opportunities, this role as a Private Client Solicitor offers a chance to grow your expertise in a thriving environment that values both professional development and work-life balance.
Contact Details:
Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager – Children's Social Care & Education in London
✨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 Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd.
✨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 Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd.
✨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 Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd.
✨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 Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager – Children's Social Care & Education in London
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 Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd. 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 Business Development Manager – Children's Social Care & Education, 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 Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd
✨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 Diamond Search Recruitment Ltd. 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!
