Commercial Relationships and Business Development in York

Are you an experienced Business Development, Commercial Manager or Partnerships Manager based in North Yorkshire, looking for a role where you can build something from the ground up and make a genuine impact? Do you have a strong track record of winning new business, developing commercial partnerships and generating revenue through long-term relationship building rather than hard-sell sales? Would you like to use your commercial experience within a purpose-led organisation where the income you generate will ultimately help young people across North Yorkshire become better prepared for the world of work?

We are working exclusively with NYBEP (North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership) in York as they recruit a newly created role of Business Development & Commercial Partnerships, giving you the opportunity to shape the commercial strategy rather than inherit an established sales process. NYBEP is a long-established not-for-profit organisation bringing businesses and education together to help young people develop skills, raise aspirations and become better prepared for employment. This role is very firmly on the commercial side of the organisation. You won't be delivering education programmes. Your focus will be businesses, employers and commercial organisations: identifying opportunities, opening doors, developing senior-level relationships and converting those relationships into sustainable commercial income for NYBEP.

What the Business Development & Commercial Partnerships job involves:

• Identifying where the strongest commercial opportunities exist, building a targeted prospect pipeline and developing relationships with business owners, directors and senior decision-makers.
• Developing and implementing a clear business development and commercial growth strategy across North Yorkshire and the wider region.
• Identifying and securing new business opportunities.
• Building a strong pipeline of prospective employers, commercial partners and sponsors.
• Meeting business owners, directors and senior decision-makers to understand their priorities, workforce challenges and commercial objectives.
• Generating sustainable new income through commercial partnerships, sponsorship, employer investment and other revenue opportunities.
• Building trusted, long-term relationships rather than focusing purely on short-term transactions.
• Leading commercial conversations around value, pricing, return on investment and partnership agreements.
• Managing the full business development process from initial prospecting and relationship building through to negotiation and conversion.
• Identifying opportunities to grow existing relationships and generate repeat investment.
• Representing NYBEP at business events, networking groups and regional forums.
• Using LinkedIn and digital networking proactively to develop relationships and create new commercial opportunities.

We are looking for someone who enjoys creating opportunity, building relationships from scratch and turning conversations into commercially valuable partnerships.

Skills required:

• A proven track record within business development, commercial partnerships, consultative sales or another revenue-generating role.
• Demonstrable experience of winning new business and converting opportunities into revenue.
• Strong experience developing relationships with decision-makers.
• The commercial confidence to discuss value, pricing, ROI and commercial terms.
• Experience building and managing a new business pipeline.
• A consultative, relationship-led approach to business development.
• The confidence to work autonomously and take ownership of commercial results.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to spot opportunities and turn ideas into action.
• An established network within North Yorkshire or the wider Yorkshire business community would also be advantageous but not essential.

Above all, we're looking for someone who is commercially ambitious, but who builds success through relationships rather than a hard-sell approach. You'll be curious about businesses, comfortable asking good questions and able to understand what matters to a potential commercial partner before creating a reason for them to engage.

Other information:

• The main office is York, however, you will have regular travel across North Yorkshire and the wider region so can be based anywhere within the region.
• Significant autonomy to develop and shape the commercial strategy.
• Full time working 37.5 hours a week.
• Enhanced holidays increasing every year.
• Medicash and other benefits available.
• Car parking available at the office in York.
• Flexible working as you will be able to work from wherever is needed to meet the demands of the job.