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- Tasks: Drive growth by opening new markets and building partnerships in the leisure sector.
- Company: Join ESPO, a unique public sector organisation with a commercial edge.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by developing sales channels and expanding our international presence.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for career development and learning.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Organisation: Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO)
Work Location: Hybrid – Field Based with travel to ESPO, Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby
Working Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 12 months Maternity Cover
Closing Date: Sunday 22nd February 2026
Interview Date(s): End of February/Early March 2026
Overview
Do you thrive on opening new markets and building commercial partnerships? Can you adapt across brands and sectors, tailoring your approach to different customers? Do you have experience supplying to UK Holiday Parks or International Schools sector?
About the Role
ESPO is expanding into new commercial markets and we are seeking a Business Development Manager to support both national and international growth plans. The role includes outreach into emerging commercial and third-sector markets, with a particular focus on the leisure and holiday park sector, as well as supporting ESPO International through key distribution partners to grow our presence in new and emerging international markets.
This fixed-term maternity cover position offers the opportunity to develop ESPO Trading Limited’s (ETL) sales channels and commercial footprint, open new markets and build partnerships that support the wider growth strategy for our brands; Smart Solutions and ESPO International. You will work across brands and sectors, adapting your approach to suit different customers and markets.
You will identify and progress new customer opportunities, build networks, develop propositions and support commercial conversations that position ESPO as a trusted sourcing and procurement partner. The role combines strategic outreach with practical account development, including managing proposals, engagement plans and pipeline reporting, using CRM and customer insight tools to inform activity and forecast growth.
Success in the role will involve securing new customers, establishing strong sector relationships, supporting distribution partner activity for ESPO International and enabling ESPO’s commercial brands and service solutions to deliver measurable outcomes.
About You
To apply for this post, you must have:
- Proven sales and/or account management experience in a commercial environment
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with an ROI focus
- Ability to create new market channels and develop relationships at pace
- Confident communicator with strong influencing and presentation skills
- Ability to interpret datasets and complex information using ERP systems, CRM and Excel to support business development and growth
We’d also expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the interview process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.
What we offer
- Flexible working opportunities and access to employee benefits portal with salary sacrifice car lease scheme.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and a scheme to buy additional leave.
- Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution.
- Opportunities for learning development.
- Great office location next to Fosse Park, with free on-site parking and easy access to M1 and M69.
Flexible Working
Interested in Flexible Working? We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual’s personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of ESPO. If you would like to discuss possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below. This may include requests for term-time working, part-time hours, compressed hours, flexible start and finish times, home/remote working, etc.
Contact
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Helen Swann, Head of Business Development Telephone: 07584 775985
How to Apply
ESPO is an inclusive organisation which is on a journey to embed and celebrate equality, diversity, and inclusion at every level. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, as having a diverse workforce with different perspectives and ideas is fundamental to our values and enriches the services we offer our customers. We particularly welcome applicants from Ethnically Diverse and LGBTQ Plus communities and people with disabilities to create a balanced workforce and one that reflects the customers we serve. Applicants with a disability who meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme.
To apply for this job, please click ‘Apply Now’. You will need to upload a supporting statement as part of your application which explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. For more information, see the How to Apply section on our career site.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Employee Service Centre: https://emss.org.uk/support
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
About ESPO
We’re a unique organisation, owned by the public sector and sharing their values and ethos, but operating with a commercial edge. As a specialist procurement body, we pride ourselves on establishing procurement solutions that save money for the public sector. View our prospectus to find out more.
We have modern, open-plan offices with excellent transport links and a friendly workplace environment. We offer flexible working, a generous holiday entitlement, a contributory pension scheme, training (including professional CIPS qualification) and opportunities to develop your career.
ESPO is supported by a wide range of roles across many different disciplines including sales, marketing, IT, procurement, finance, operations (warehouse management and transport planning) and customer services. So whether you are interested in a public-facing role or playing your part behind the scenes, ESPO could be the place for you.
To learn more about working for ESPO, please visit our website at www.espo.org.
Business Development Manager in Leicester employer: ESPO - Public Sector Procurement
Contact Detail:
ESPO - Public Sector Procurement Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research ESPO thoroughly, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise common interview questions and have your own ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your adaptability! In your conversations, highlight examples of how you’ve tailored your approach to different customers or markets. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in diverse environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews or networking events, send a quick thank-you note. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the criteria listed in the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the table!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your sales and account management prowess. Numbers and results speak volumes, so let us know how you've made an impact in previous roles.
Be Authentic: We value authenticity, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for business development and how it aligns with our mission at ESPO.
Apply Early!: We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so don’t wait until the last minute! Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can to ensure you’re in the running.
How to prepare for a job interview at ESPO - Public Sector Procurement
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the leisure and holiday park sector. Understand the current trends, challenges, and opportunities. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in ESPO's expansion plans.
✨Showcase Your Sales Skills
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully opened new markets or built partnerships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Familiarise with CRM Tools
Since the role involves using CRM and customer insight tools, brush up on your knowledge of these systems. Be ready to discuss how you've used similar tools in the past to drive business development and growth.
✨Align with ESPO's Values
ESPO is keen on candidates who share their commitment to values like equality, diversity, and inclusion. Think of instances where you've demonstrated these values in your professional life and be prepared to share them during the interview.
