At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth in Residential Services by building partnerships and shaping service opportunities.
- Company: Lifeways, the UK's largest provider of supported living services.
- Benefits: Impactful role with a focus on quality care and professional development.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to sustainable, high-quality care solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while driving meaningful growth.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business development and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About Lifeways
Lifeways is the UK’s largest provider of supported living services, supporting around 4,000 people with complex needs to live their very best lives in their communities. What sets us apart is not just our scale — it’s our ability to flex our pathway model to create sustainable, high-quality placements that genuinely work, supported by specialist expertise across Supported Living, Residential and Mental Health. With strong demand, a national footprint and a growing pipeline, this is a role where you can turn opportunity into meaningful, lasting impact. Our model is designed to offer multiple pathways — and with a strong appetite for growth, the opportunity here is significant.
About the role
We’re looking for a dynamic Business Development & Relationship Manager (BDRM) to lead growth in our Residential Services across England. This is a strategic BD role where you’ll identify demand, build trusted partnerships with commissioners, and shape opportunities into services that can be delivered successfully. You’ll own the full journey — from pipeline development through to mobilisation and occupancy — ensuring services are not only won, but set up to succeed.
Why this role stands out
- End-to-end ownership: You own the full lifecycle — from identifying opportunity and shaping solutions through to conversion, mobilisation and long-term success.
- You can win and deliver: With support from Assessment, Operations, Quality, Finance, PBS and Marketing, you have the infrastructure to deliver what you win — not just sell it.
- Real impact, not just growth: This is about developing safe, sustainable services — not chasing volume.
- Scale with influence: With 30+ years’ experience and national reach, Lifeways gives you the platform to operate with credibility and at pace.
- Disciplined growth: We focus on the right opportunities — ensuring what we win is appropriate, deliverable and sustainable.
What you’ll focus on
- Developing and owning a high-quality pipeline of opportunities
- Building strong relationships with commissioners, NHS and local authorities
- Shaping commercially viable, outcome-led service models
- Leading opportunities through conversion, mobilisation and occupancy
- Working cross-functionally with Operations, Assessment, Quality, Finance and HR to ensure services are deliverable and sustainable
- Acting as a credible external partner and internal advocate for the customer
This is a role for someone who enjoys both building opportunity and seeing it through.
What you’ll bring
You’re a proven Business Development professional who:
- Has experience identifying, shaping and converting new business opportunities
- Builds strong relationships with senior stakeholders and commissioners
- Understands the link between commercial success and operational delivery
- Is motivated by impact and credibility — not just numbers
- Thrives in a role with ownership and visibility
Experience in health, social care or a related sector is highly valuable — but what matters most is your ability to turn demand into deliverable services.
Why join Lifeways
At Lifeways, families are partners, not observers. We are investing in our people, systems and services to strengthen quality, improve outcomes and build sustainable models of care. We also recognise our journey — and are committed to continually improving how we align growth, assessment and delivery to ensure what we promise is what we deliver. For Business Development professionals, that means representing an organisation that is not only ambitious — but increasingly credible in the market. This is growth with purpose.
Business Development & Relationship Manager - Residential Care employer: Lifeway s Group
Lifeways is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Business Development & Relationship Managers to make a meaningful impact in the residential care sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a collaborative work culture, Lifeways empowers its staff to develop sustainable services while enjoying the support of a national network. Located across England, this role provides the chance to work with diverse stakeholders, ensuring that your contributions lead to real change in the lives of those we support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development & Relationship Manager - Residential Care
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Lifeway s Group.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Lifeway s Group.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Lifeway s Group.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Lifeway s Group. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development & Relationship Manager - Residential Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Lifeway s Group. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Business Development & Relationship Manager - Residential Care, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lifeway s Group
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Lifeway s Group. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
