Business Development Manager (FTC) in City of London

Location: Hybrid / Benwell Rd, London N7 7BL
job type: Fixed term / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Sales | Business Development
Salary: Competitive salary

WHY YOU'RE HERE

The Business Development Manager will help grow Jamie Oliver Restaurants by identifying and progressing opportunities with new and existing franchise and licensing partners in the UK and internationally. You will turn the Director's development strategy &priorities into a well-managed pipeline, strong partner proposals and commercially sound opportunities across restaurants, travel locations, hotels, resorts and other agreed channels.

Reporting to the Restaurant Group Director, you will own the day-to-day management of allocated opportunities, from initial enquiry and outreach through to agreement and handover. You will work closely with our specialist teams, with the Director retaining responsibility for overall strategy, key negotiations and final commercial recommendations. This role is fixed term for 6 months.

WHAT YOU'RE HERE TO DO

• Implement the agreed business development plan for allocated markets and channels, working towards targets set with the Director for qualified opportunities, signed agreements, development fees and new openings.
• Research priority markets, competitor activity and potential operators, investors and franchise partners. Recommend opportunities based on brand fit, development potential and commercial viability.
• Generate new leads through targeted outreach, introductions, networking and industry events. Respond promptly to inbound enquiries, qualify suitability and maintain consistent follow-up.
• Build and manage an accurate CRM pipeline, recording partner contacts, opportunity stage, expected fees, likely signing and opening dates, risks and next actions.
• Present the restaurant concepts and partnership proposition confidently, tailoring presentations and proposals to each prospect using approved brand and commercial information.
• Coordinate tenders and requests for proposals, managing deadlines and gathering input from culinary, creative, design, operations, finance and legal teams.
• Work with the Restaurant Group Director & FP&A to assess partner business plans and site proposals, including sales assumptions, operating profit, investment requirements, royalties, fees and anticipated returns.
• Coordinate partner due diligence, gathering ownership, funding, financial and operating information. Highlight gaps and risks and prepare the evidence required for internal approval.
• Progress allocated commercial discussions within agreed parameters. Prepare heads of terms and commercial summaries with the Director and Legal teams, obtaining approval before committing the business.
• Manage the critical path through contract preparation and signing, tracking outstanding points, decisions and documents and escalating delays or material changes.
• Coordinate commercial onboarding and a documented handover to the project teams, covering agreed obligations, fees, development milestones and partner expectations.
• Provide weekly pipeline updates and monthly reports on progress against targets. Support budgeting and forecasting with realistic assumptions on agreement, fee and opening timings.
• Maintain current business development presentations, concept information, proposal templates and partner records.
• Represent Jamie Oliver Restaurants professionally, protecting brand standards and embedding the Group's food, sustainability and social impact principles in proposed partnerships.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Proven experience in business development, franchise development or commercial partnerships, ideally within restaurants, hospitality, food and beverage or a related consumer business.
• A demonstrable record of sourcing and qualifying opportunities, progressing commercial discussions and contributing to signed agreements or profitable new business.
• An understanding of franchise business models and partner selection, ideally gained within the restaurant sector..
• Commercial and financial confidence: able to interpret a restaurant profit and loss account, challenge business plan assumptions and work with Finance on investment and return analysis.
• Experience preparing proposals and presentations, coordinating several projects at once and maintaining accurate CRM and pipeline reporting. Confident computing skills.
• International partner experience in hospitality would be advantageous. A strong interest in food and Jamie Oliver's values is essential.
• Ability to undertake UK and international travel as required and work effectively with partners across different time zones.

HOW YOU'LL DO IT

• Communicate with confidence, energy and enthusiasm, holding engaging, informed conversations and presenting our brands and opportunities convincingly.
• Build relationships easily with prospective partners, existing operators and colleagues, earning trust through careful listening, professionalism and reliable follow-through.
• Take responsibility for your opportunities, pipeline and agreed targets, showing initiative and following through on commitments.
• Write clear, persuasive proposals and negotiate confidently within your delegated authority, knowing when to involve the Director or specialist teams.
• Stay organised through longer deal cycles, keeping actions, deadlines and records current and addressing obstacles early.
• Use sound commercial judgement, challenge unsupported assumptions and protect confidential information and the reputation of the brand.
• Work collaboratively across departments and cultures, bringing people together to progress opportunities and treating partners and colleagues with respect.