Business Development Director - Birmingham

Overall Purpose of the Role

This role will have responsibility for new business across the sector. The Business Development Director's responsibility is to generate new business bids to drive sales and profitability to meet budgetary targets. To confidently and competently manage all 'steps of the sale' from pipeline management, first appointment to site survey, proposal compilation to presentation and following successful bids to secure signed contract and thoroughly hand over to operational team. Management of the bidding and internal approval procedures to ensure commercially sound, competitive and profitable financial deals. To proactively seek and identify sales to ensure we maximize all opportunities for new business growth. To support national / regional group bid opportunities in a supportive and conscientious manner.

Responsible for working with the Growth Director to raise the profile within the sector through strategic engagement, attendance at Public sector forums and ensuring that we are leading in service delivery processes to meet all guidelines and initiatives.

The job role:

• To lead the development of winning bids and opportunities resulting in income generation for the business against agreed targets.
• To lead the production and delivery of a viable client relationship driven Business Development Plan for our clients.
• Establish, build and maintain relationships with key contacts at target clients to increase their awareness of our capabilities and effect introductions to relevant colleagues.
• Establish, build and maintain relationships with potential partners to support our offers.
• Identify opportunities at an early stage and manage the engagement process with the client.
• Manage the business development pipeline and bid process including bid identification, bid writing / development and bid submission process alongside the Bid Manager and Bid Finance Manager.
• Identify barriers to the achievement of our objectives in our market and manage them accordingly.
• Utilize central marketing initiatives in line with the Sector Business Development Plan to increase presence in the sector.
• Work alongside the sales team to develop tailored proposal documents and client communications.
• Work with the sales team to keep relevant collateral up to date and fit for purpose.
• Use our CRM system to record all client contacts, project opportunities etc, and use the system to report on the pipeline of opportunities, manage client contact and record wins.
• Keep up to date with current issues in the sector.
• Develop and control a programme of webinars, articles and other opportunities for Restaurant Associates to demonstrate thought leadership in the market.
• Be a credible ambassador at internal and external events.
• Bring creative and innovative ideas to how we undertake our BD activities.
• Actively seek out potential cross selling opportunities and work with Operations and Sales teams to maximise potential growth.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to extend services in additional locations, geographies.

Person specification:

• Senior-level business development experience selling or experience procuring services in the public sector within foodservice, retail and facilities management industries.
• Personal credibility with key client contacts in the Central and wider Restaurant Associates organisations.
• Ability to develop and nurture effective business relationships.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to gain buy-in from teams across Compass UK&I teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to produce high quality proposal and tender documents.
• Ability to drive a number of initiatives at any one time.
• Experience of working in long sales cycles.
• Confident and professional with the ability to think on your feet.
• A hunger to stay up to date with related matters.
• The ability to remain flexible and seek alternative options to problems.
• Problem solving skills.
• Sound commercial understanding and in turn use this to develop winning and deliverable financial proposals. This will be combined with an ability to listen and understand a client's requirements before articulating them into high scoring written responses.

Requirements:

• Must hold a full UK driving license.

We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

As part of Compass you’ll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK’s biggest businesses. Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!