At a Glance
- Tasks: Support business growth by researching prospects and building relationships in the rural sector.
- Company: Hillsgreen, a digital marketing agency focused on agriculture and rural businesses.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, hybrid working, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture with excellent career growth and fun team dynamics.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact in the rural economy.
- Qualifications: Curiosity, research skills, self-starter energy, and good communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 28000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a passionate Business Development Executive looking to build a career in business development within the rural sector.
The Role
To support profitable new business growth for Hillsgreen by researching right‑fit prospects, building early‑stage relationships and helping the Business Development team create opportunities across the agri and rural economy. This is a junior role within the Business Development team, ideal for someone curious, organised and keen to develop their skills in sales, marketing and relationship‑building.
About Us
Hillsgreen is a digital marketing agency built specifically for the agricultural and rural sector. We pair digital marketing expertise with our own audience insight and a real understanding of rural businesses to help our clients grow in a way that makes commercial sense. We exist to connect agriculture and champion rural businesses, helping them win more business and build stronger brands.
Key Accountabilities
- Research prospects/industries – identify and research right‑fit prospects, sectors, events, competitors and opportunities across the agri and rural economy. Help the team understand who we should be speaking to, why they matter, what challenges they may be facing and how Hillsgreen could potentially help.
- Attend relevant industry events, shows, conferences and networking opportunities to represent Hillsgreen, meet new people, start conversations, gather insight and support the wider business development strategy.
- Prospect & build new relationships – identify and approach new prospects, start early‑stage conversations, build trust with potential clients and referral partners, and help move good‑fit opportunities forward.
- Create proposals – gather information, prepare first drafts, coordinate input from the wider team and make sure proposals are clear, relevant and commercially sound.
- New business communication & CRM administration – keep communication clear, timely and professional throughout the early sales journey; maintain accurate CRM records, log prospect activity, track next steps and support pipeline reporting so the team has clear visibility of opportunities.
What You'll Bring
- Curiosity – enjoy learning about businesses, sectors, people and what makes them tick.
- Research skills – dig into a business, industry or market and spot useful information that helps the team start better conversations.
- Self‑starter energy – do not wait for leads; research, find the right people, make contact and start useful conversations.
- Confidence with people – comfortable starting conversations, asking good questions and representing Hillsgreen professionally and down‑to‑earth.
- Relationship‑building ability – understand that good business development is about trust, consistency and genuine interest in people.
- Organisation – manage multiple prospects, notes, actions and follow‑ups without things falling through the cracks.
- Good written communication – write clear emails, capture useful notes and help create proposal content that makes sense.
- Digital marketing interest – be interested in how digital marketing helps businesses grow.
- Commercial awareness – keen to understand how businesses make money, what drives growth and where Hillsgreen could support that growth.
What You'll Get
- Competitive Salary: £25k – £28k (depending on experience)
- Generous Holiday Allowance: 35 days of annual leave including bank holidays.
- Personal Development: 1:1 reviews and opportunities to expand your expertise.
- Hybrid Working: a mix of office and remote working days.
- Pension Scheme: a minimum of 3% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution.
- Professional Growth: access to mentoring, study support, and professional development opportunities.
- Supportive Culture: be part of a collaborative, passionate team that values creativity and shared success.
- Additional service‑based benefits after 1‑year of service: Healthshield Cash Plan, salary sacrifice EV car scheme, enhanced maternity & paternity support, enhanced pension contributions.
Our Core Values
- Show up – ready to make a difference – reliable, proactive and committed.
- Crack on – resilient and always find a way, even when it gets tough.
- Muck in – a genuine teammate who helps others succeed.
- Make connections – build relationships and friendships that last long after the work is done.
- Ask what if? – explore possibilities, challenge assumptions and keep looking for opportunities.
- Have a laugh! – And occasionally a cry. We take the work seriously, just not ourselves.
Are You Ready?
If you want to come to work, learn, build relationships, win right‑fit new business and help Hillsgreen drive performance across the rural sector, this could be the role for you.
Business Development Executive employer: Hillsgreen
Hillsgreen is an exceptional employer for those looking to kickstart their career in business development within the rural sector. With a supportive culture that values creativity and collaboration, employees benefit from generous holiday allowances, hybrid working options, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. The company's commitment to championing rural businesses and fostering meaningful relationships makes it a rewarding place to work for individuals eager to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Executive
✨Tip Number 1
Get your research game on! Dive deep into the agri and rural sectors to understand who the key players are. This will help us identify right-fit prospects and start meaningful conversations.
✨Tip Number 2
Networking is key! Attend industry events, shows, and conferences to meet potential clients and partners. Remember, it’s all about building relationships, so don’t be shy – start those conversations!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for leads to come to you. Reach out, make contact, and show genuine interest in what others do. This self-starter energy will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your communication clear and professional. Whether it’s emails or proposals, make sure everything is easy to understand and relevant. This will help us build trust and move opportunities forward.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Executive
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Curiosity:When writing your application, let your curiosity shine through! Share examples of how you've researched businesses or industries in the past. We love candidates who are eager to learn and understand what makes different sectors tick.
Be Clear and Concise:Good written communication is key for this role. Make sure your application is clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. We want to see that you can express your thoughts clearly, just like you would in a professional email.
Highlight Your Relationship-Building Skills:In your application, mention any experiences where you've built relationships or trust with others. Whether it's in a work setting or through networking, we want to know how you connect with people and create opportunities.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're proactive, which is exactly what we're looking for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hillsgreen
✨Research the Rural Sector
Before your interview, dive deep into the agricultural and rural economy. Understand the key players, current trends, and challenges faced by businesses in this sector. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to Hillsgreen's mission.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your curiosity during the interview by asking insightful questions about the company and its clients. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to learn more about the business development process within the rural sector.
✨Highlight Your Relationship-Building Skills
Be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully built relationships in the past. Whether it's through networking events or previous roles, share specific instances where your ability to connect with others led to positive outcomes. This aligns perfectly with the relationship-building focus of the role.
✨Prepare for Proposal Discussions
Since creating proposals is a key part of the job, think about how you would approach drafting a proposal for a potential client. Be ready to discuss what information you would gather and how you would ensure it meets the client's needs. This will showcase your organisational skills and understanding of the sales process.
