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- Tasks: Identify and develop new client relationships in civil and structural engineering.
- Company: Established multidisciplinary consulting engineering practice with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, work-life balance, and early Friday finishes.
- Other info: Opportunity for part-time or full-time work with excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on business growth and client relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development within construction or engineering sectors.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds or Manchester (with regular UK travel)
Employment Type: Permanent (Part-time or Full-time by agreement)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience, track record, and working hours
About the Company
My client is a long-established multidisciplinary consulting engineering practice providing civil, structural, building services, and geotechnical engineering expertise across the UK. With offices in Leeds and Manchester, the business delivers integrated design and advisory services from early-stage feasibility through to detailed design, construction, and project completion. Renowned for its collaborative approach, it supports a wide range of sectors including residential, commercial, infrastructure, and industrial development, combining technical excellence with practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.
About the Role
My client is seeking a motivated and commercially minded Business Development Manager to support the continued growth of our civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering teams. The role will focus on identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities with both existing and new clients. This will directly contribute to increasing turnover, improving profitability, and supporting the planned expansion of the technical teams. The position can be based in either our Leeds or Manchester office, with regular travel across the North of England and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK. The role may initially be part-time, with scope to increase hours as workload and success grow. Working closely with the Directors and technical team leaders, you will play a key role in strengthening market presence, building long-term client relationships, and developing a sustainable pipeline of profitable work aligned with the company’s strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and develop new client relationships across target sectors including residential and commercial developers, architects, contractors, project managers, and public sector bodies.
- Strengthen and maintain relationships with existing clients to secure repeat business and referrals.
- Focus on opportunities aligned with the company’s long-term strategy and target margins, prioritising quality and profitability over volume.
- Identify early-stage project opportunities and track them through planning, procurement, and delivery stages.
- Lead and coordinate responses to frameworks and tenders, including pre-qualification submissions and full fee proposals.
- Work with Directors and team leaders to prepare capability statements, proposals, and bid documentation, ensuring commercial viability.
- Undertake regular client meetings, site visits, and networking activities to promote services and maintain strong relationships.
- Gather and share market intelligence on competitors, frameworks, and upcoming opportunities.
- Coordinate with technical teams to confirm resource availability and ensure realistic delivery commitments.
- Support the development of key client accounts, ensuring relationships are held at company level rather than individually.
- Contribute to marketing materials, including case studies, project profiles, and website content, working alongside an external marketing agency.
- Provide input for social media content (e.g. LinkedIn), with a focus on strengthening client engagement and brand visibility.
- Agree annual business development targets with the Directors and report regularly on progress, including profitability and quality of secured work.
Candidate Profile
- Proven experience in business development, work-winning, or a client-facing role within the construction, engineering, or property sectors.
- Strong understanding of how civil, structural, and/or geotechnical engineering services are procured and delivered.
- Demonstrable success in winning work, developing client relationships, and securing framework or tendered opportunities.
- Commercial awareness, with the ability to assess margins, pricing, and profitability.
- Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical services into clear, client-focused language.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage a pipeline of opportunities and meet deadlines.
- Comfortable contributing to marketing and promotional activity where required.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Full UK driving licence and eligibility to work in the UK.
Benefits
A competitive and flexible package is offered, reflecting the seniority and impact of the role. This includes a strong emphasis on work-life balance, hybrid working, and early Friday finishes, alongside a supportive and collaborative working environment. Additional benefits are available and can be tailored depending on experience and working arrangement.
If you are interested in this role, or looking for something within the structural or civil engineering market, please don’t hesitate to contact.
Business Development Manager in Leeds employer: elb recruit
Contact Detail:
elb recruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, seminars, and local meet-ups to connect with potential clients and other professionals. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Business Development Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities to come to you. Be proactive! Reach out to companies you admire, even if they’re not advertising roles. A well-timed email can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a LinkedIn profile that highlights your achievements in business development. Share articles, insights, and case studies related to civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering to position yourself as a thought leader.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and understand what we’re looking for in a candidate. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Leeds
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 civil, structural, or geotechnical engineering, and showcase how your skills align with the company's goals.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; focus on what you’ve achieved in previous roles. Use specific examples of how you've developed client relationships or secured new business opportunities to demonstrate your impact.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, be clear and to the point. Use straightforward language that reflects your understanding of the industry, and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be processed more efficiently, and we can get back to you quicker about the next steps!
How to prepare for a job interview at elb recruit
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, do your homework on the civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering sectors. Understand the key players, current trends, and potential clients. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commercial awareness and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Success Stories
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully developed client relationships or won business in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves working closely with Directors and technical teams, be ready to discuss how you can collaborate effectively. Highlight your interpersonal skills and provide examples of how you've built strong relationships in past positions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's strategic objectives and how the Business Development Manager role fits into their plans. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you assess if the company aligns with your career goals.