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- Tasks: Drive apprenticeship opportunities and build relationships in the Early Years and Childcare sector.
- Company: Join a passionate community dedicated to empowering learners and educators.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, extra day off for your birthday, and paid volunteering leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while achieving your career goals.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience in apprenticeships and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Remote role with excellent growth opportunities and a commitment to inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.
At Shaping Lives, we’re more than a team; we’re a community of passionate, values-driven individuals united by one shared mission: to inspire, support, and empower every learner, every time. We are dedicated to making learning engaging, accessible, and transformative, equipping educators with the tools they need to reach their full potential, make a positive impact, and inspire others in turn.
Location: Remote-based, supporting clients in the East of England.
Hours: 36.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday)
Salary: up to £35,000 per annum plus bonus
Our mission is driven by five core values: Purpose, Positioning, Values, Personality, and Proposition. We are proud to say that 91% of our apprentices report satisfaction with their learning experience and the professional growth they’ve achieved with us.
In this role, you’ll be a key member of our growing Business Development team, using a solution-focused approach to identify apprenticeship opportunities and drive learner starts across your region or sales vertical—particularly within the Early Years and Childcare sector. As a confident and experienced sales professional, you’ll leverage your communication skills and commercial insight to secure new business, build lasting relationships, and tailor solutions that reflect our values and strategic goals. Your consultative approach will position Shaping Lives as the provider of choice for both new and existing partners.
Key Responsibilities:- Achieve KPIs and apprenticeship targets through new business and account management
- Identify and engage SME clients, especially in Education
- Provide expert guidance on the Apprenticeship Levy and ROI for clients
- Design tailored apprenticeship solutions and build lasting client relationships
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth onboarding and delivery
- Proven success in apprenticeship sales, ideally in Early Years and childcare/education
- Strong commercial acumen and consultative sales approach
- Confident communicator with experience presenting to decision-makers
- Self-motivated, organised, and target-driven
- Passionate about apprenticeships and making a difference
- Proficient in MS Office; CRM experience a plus
- Willingness to travel nationally with a business-insured vehicle
We have a number of benefits available and all colleagues benefit from our standard benefits including:
- Generous Annual Leave: 20 days, increasing with length of service, plus a holiday purchase scheme
- Holiday Benefits: 3 Paragon Days for our operational December closure and 8 Public Bank Holidays
- Extra Day Off: Enjoy an additional day off to celebrate your birthday
- Paid Volunteering Leave: Up to 3 days of paid leave for volunteering opportunities and corporate conscience initiatives
- Perkbox: Access to a wide range of lifestyle benefits and wellness tools
- Recognition and Long Service Awards: Celebrating the milestones and contributions of our colleagues
We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a guaranteed interview scheme in place to ensure that nobody is overlooked or discriminated against because of their disability. If you meet the minimum criteria when you apply and you have informed us in your application that you have a disability, you will be guaranteed an interview for that role.
To promote and maintain an inclusive working environment, as part of your application process we will ask you to share data on certain characteristics. These answers will not form part of the selection and recruitment process and will not be shared with anyone outside of the People Team.
Shaping Lives is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our learners and colleagues and we implement robust safer recruitment practices to support this. Dependant on the role you are applying for, we may undertake a number of necessary checks to confirm you are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check. We are also committed to promoting equality and inclusion throughout our colleague and learner populations.
Business Development Manager employer: Knovia
Contact Detail:
Knovia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and childcare sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Business Development Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your past successes in apprenticeship sales. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share these stories to demonstrate how you can drive learner starts and build relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! Research Shaping Lives and understand their mission and values. When you get an interview, align your experiences with their goals, especially around making learning engaging and transformative. This shows you’re not just another candidate; you’re a perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our community at Shaping Lives. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for apprenticeships shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the education sector and how you can inspire others.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect our values and mission. Highlight your experience in Early Years and Childcare, and how your skills align with what we’re looking for in a Business Development Manager.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your achievements and experiences are easy to read and understand. Use bullet points if it helps!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Knovia
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to really understand Shaping Lives' core values: Purpose, Positioning, Values, Personality, and Proposition. Think about how your own values align with theirs and be ready to share examples that demonstrate this connection during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Sales Success
Prepare specific examples of your past successes in apprenticeship sales, especially within the Early Years and Childcare sector. Highlight your consultative sales approach and how you've built lasting relationships with clients, as this will resonate well with their mission.
✨Engage with Questions
Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the role and the company. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Ask about their strategies for achieving KPIs or how they support their Business Development team.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Make sure to convey your passion for apprenticeships and education throughout the interview. Share why you believe in the transformative power of learning and how you can contribute to making a positive impact on learners and educators alike.
