Business Development Manager in Leeds

Jo Holdsworth Recruitment are excited to be recruiting a Business Development Manager for an established Leeds-based professional services business.

This is an opportunity within a growing and highly innovative organisation. The successful candidate will take ownership of new business development across the UK, building strategic partnerships and developing a strong pipeline of new clients.

This is a pure new-business role rather than an account management position. You will be responsible for identifying prospective clients, opening doors, arranging and attending meetings and securing new partnerships. You will then support each new client through the early stages of the relationship before handing them over to the account management team.

The role

You will research and target new prospects across the UK, with a particular focus on estate agents, brokers and selected partners within the property sector.

Using LinkedIn, industry data, online research and your own market knowledge, you will identify the right decision-makers and create a structured plan for approaching them. You will be comfortable making outbound calls, attending face-to-face meetings and representing the business at networking events and industry conferences.

Working closely with marketing, operations and senior leadership, you will ensure that new clients receive a positive experience from the first conversation through to launch and handover.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities across the UK
• Build a pipeline of estate agents, brokers and property-sector partners
• Research prospective clients and identify relevant decision-makers
• Create and deliver a focused business development strategy
• Make outbound calls and arrange introductory meetings
• Attend client meetings, business visits and industry events
• Present the company's services and secure new partnerships
• Build long-term relationships with referral partners
• Support new clients through launch and the early stages of the relationship
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure a smooth handover
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and emerging opportunities
• Maintain accurate CRM records and report on pipeline performance
• Share market insight and commercial opportunities with senior leadership

What success looks like

Success in this role will be measured through new client wins, meetings attended, new instructions generated and consistent pipeline activity that develops into live business.

The core focus is on generating instructions from newly secured clients, with an established target of approximately 100 instructions per month.

What we're looking for

We are looking for a commercially driven and resilient Business Development Manager who enjoys creating opportunities and building relationships from the ground up.

You will be confident working independently, managing your own diary and maintaining momentum throughout a longer sales cycle. You should be comfortable with outbound business development and able to remain positive and persistent when faced with setbacks or rejection.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Proven experience within business development, sales or a commercially focused role
• A strong track record of generating and winning new business
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills
• The confidence to engage with senior decision-makers
• A proactive and self-motivated approach
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
• A commercial and strategic mindset
• Experience managing a sales pipeline using a CRM system
• The ability to plan and manage a UK-wide territory
• A full UK driving licence

Sector experience

Experience within property, estate agency, legal services, conveyancing, financial services or another partnership-led sector would be particularly valuable.

As the role involves developing relationships with estate agents and brokers, an understanding of the property transaction and customer journey would allow you to build credibility quickly. Direct conveyancing experience is not essential, but candidates should be able to demonstrate relevant sector knowledge or experience within a similar referral-led sales environment.

Applications from strong BDMs in other sectors will also be considered where they can demonstrate transferable market knowledge, commercial awareness and a genuine understanding of relationship-led business development.

Working arrangements

The role offers hybrid working, with a significant amount of autonomy to plan your own week. Regular UK-wide travel will be required to attend meetings, events and client visits.

You will also need to attend the Leeds office when required, with more office-based time expected during the initial training and onboarding period.

The role reports directly to the Managing Director, providing strong visibility across the business, direct access to senior leadership and the ability to make an immediate commercial impact.

Package and benefits

• Salary of £45,000-£60,000
• Performance-related bonus
• Access to a pool car for business travel
• Hybrid and flexible working
• 33 days' annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with service
• An additional day off for your birthday
• Life assurance
• Private health insurance
• Salary sacrifice scheme
• Smart-casual dress code
• In-house training and career development opportunities
• Regular charity and social events

Progression

This is a visible and influential appointment with genuine long-term progression potential. As the business continues to grow, there may be scope to expand the business development function further, giving the successful candidate the opportunity to become a senior and experienced member of the team.

This role would suit a self-starting BDM who enjoys winning new business, developing strategic relationships and working autonomously within a fast-paced, commercially focused environment.

Please note that due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide individual feedback. If you have not heard back within five days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.