Business Development Executive in Stoke-on-Trent

Reports To: Commercial Director

Location: Stoke on Trent/Crewe

Role Purpose

As a Business Development Manager, you will be a key player in driving the growth and expansion of our business support recruitment services. This client-facing role offers you the autonomy to develop and manage your own pipeline of prospects while building strong, lasting relationships with clients. You will work closely with the Commercial Director and branch network of Commercial recruitment consultants to identify new business opportunities, tailor recruitment solutions to meet client needs, and ensure the successful implementation of new contracts. Your focus will be on delivering business support recruitment solutions, such as administrative, customer service, HR, finance, and operational roles, and driving the overall success of the KPI Recruiting brand. This is a fast-paced, results-driven role where you will be expected to meet sales targets, drive business development activities, and promote KPI Recruiting’s recruitment solutions in the business support sector.

Key Accountabilities

• Build and Manage Sales Pipeline: Develop a strong pipeline of prospective clients with significant business support recruitment needs.
• Lead Qualification & Decision Maker Engagement: Identify and qualify key decision-makers within targeted organisations to develop relationships and close business.
• Strategic Sales Planning: Collaborate with the Commercial Director to develop and execute strategies for meeting sales targets and expanding KPI Recruiting’s presence in the business support sector.
• Client Relationship Building: Establish and maintain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with clients by understanding their unique business support needs and providing tailored recruitment solutions.
• Smooth Handover to Recruitment Teams: Work closely with recruitment teams to ensure seamless transitions from business acquisition to candidate placement, ensuring client expectations are met or exceeded.
• Negotiation and Contract Management: Lead negotiations for contracts and agreements, ensuring the balance between profitability and client satisfaction.
• Market Research and Industry Insight: Keep abreast of market trends, industry developments, and competitor activities to provide strategic insights and identify emerging business opportunities.
• Sales and Marketing Alignment: Collaborate with the marketing team to execute sales-driven initiatives and maximise business opportunities.
• Lead Sales Meetings & Presentations: Take the lead in client-facing sales meetings, delivering persuasive presentations and demonstrating KPI Recruiting’s value proposition in the business support sector.
• Sales Targets & Reporting: Meet and exceed sales targets, KPIs, and revenue quotas. Regularly update the database with sales activities and report progress to the Commercial Director.
• Branch Support: Provide branch support, assisting with the smooth delivery of KPI’s sales cycle and ensuring business support needs are met effectively.
• Client Handover: Work with internal operational teams to ensure a professional and seamless transition of new business wins.
• Promote KPI Recruiting: Actively promote KPI Recruiting’s business support recruitment services via personal networks, social media, and industry events.

Person Specification

• Passionate: Strong enthusiasm for exceeding client expectations and delivering results.
• Accountability: Take responsibility for identifying and solving issues, ensuring that promises to clients are delivered.
• Innovation: Constantly strive to improve business development practices and find creative solutions.
• Energy & Passion: Bring a high level of energy and enthusiasm to the office and to client relationships.
• Client-Focused: Understand client needs and provide exceptional service, always prioritising what matters to them.
• Organised & Efficient: Effective at managing time, setting priorities, and staying on top of a busy, dynamic workload.
• Resilience: A proactive and resilient approach to managing challenges and overcoming obstacles.
• Professional: Demonstrates professionalism and tact when dealing with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Collaborative: A team player who works effectively with both internal teams and clients to achieve shared goals.

Professional Experience

• Sales or Business Development Experience: Proven track record in business development or sales, ideally within the recruitment sector.
• Client Relationship Building: Ability to build rapport quickly and effectively, both face-to-face and over the phone.
• Self-Motivation: A natural self-starter with a strong desire to succeed, and the ability to remain motivated through challenges.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation skills, with a keen understanding of balancing profitability and customer satisfaction.
• Team Player: Collaborates effectively with internal teams to ensure the successful delivery of client requirements.
• Commercial Mindset: A commercially-minded individual with excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify and seize business opportunities.
• Driving License: A full UK driving license is required for client meetings and travel.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Leadership Qualities: Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire both internal teams and clients.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to think on your feet and find solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• Humour & Resilience: Ability to maintain a sense of humour and a positive attitude, even under pressure.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong business development background to build relationships, win new business, and make a tangible impact on the growth of KPI Recruiting’s business support division. If you’re motivated, results-driven, and ready to take on a challenging yet rewarding sales-focused role, we want to hear from you.