Business Development Manager - Manchester

Location: Manchester

Salary: £35,000 per annum

Contract: Full-time, permanent

LT Selection is recruiting on behalf of an established organisation operating within the training, skills and workforce-development sector. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious Business Development Manager to develop new employer partnerships, generate sustainable commercial opportunities and help organisations address their workforce-development needs.

The role involves identifying, engaging and converting new employer clients across Manchester and the wider region. You will take a consultative approach, working with senior decision-makers to understand their recruitment, skills and workforce challenges before recommending suitable training, employability or workforce-development solutions. The position combines new business development, employer engagement, relationship management and disciplined pipeline management. You will manage opportunities from initial prospecting through to agreement and successful operational handover.

• Identify and develop new employer partnerships across Manchester and the surrounding region.
• Build and maintain a strong, qualified pipeline of commercial opportunities.
• Research target sectors, organisations and regional market opportunities.
• Engage senior decision-makers through telephone outreach, networking, referrals, events, LinkedIn and other digital channels.
• Arrange and lead consultative meetings to understand employers’ workforce challenges, skills gaps and future recruitment requirements.
• Recommend appropriate training, employability and workforce-development solutions.
• Prepare and deliver persuasive proposals, presentations and commercial agreements.
• Negotiate effectively and progress opportunities through to a successful close.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records within the CRM.
• Provide reliable pipeline reports, performance updates and revenue forecasts.
• Work closely with operational, curriculum and compliance colleagues to confirm that new opportunities are viable and deliverable.
• Ensure new employer relationships are handed over effectively and professionally.
• Monitor account progress and identify opportunities for further growth.
• Achieve agreed employer-engagement, conversion and revenue targets.
• Represent the organisation professionally at meetings, events and networking opportunities.

You will be a proactive and commercially focused business-development professional who can create opportunities from a cold start and build credible, long-term employer relationships. You will ideally demonstrate:

• Proven success in business development, employer engagement or consultative sales.
• Experience building and converting a new-business pipeline.
• Confidence engaging business owners, directors, HR leaders and other senior decision-makers.
• Strong prospecting, presentation, negotiation and closing skills.
• The ability to uncover client needs and recommend commercially appropriate solutions.
• A disciplined approach to CRM management, forecasting and follow-up activity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisation and the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
• A resilient, self-motivated approach and confidence working towards commercial targets.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with operational and delivery teams.
• Experience within apprenticeships, funded training, employability, education, recruitment or workforce development would be advantageous, although candidates with relevant experience from other consultative B2B sales environments are also encouraged to apply.

Success in this role means consistently creating and converting high-quality employer opportunities while delivering a professional and responsive service. You will:

• Develop a healthy and sustainable employer pipeline.
• Achieve agreed commercial and engagement targets.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and dependable forecasts.
• Build strong relationships with employers and internal colleagues.
• Ensure new business is commercially viable, compliant and handed over successfully.
• Meet agreed performance, service and quality standards.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative, employer- and learner-focused culture.

This opportunity offers the chance to join an established organisation within a socially valuable and growing sector. You will have the autonomy to develop new relationships across the region while helping employers strengthen their workforce and supporting individuals to access valuable skills and career opportunities.

Please submit an up-to-date CV clearly outlining your relevant experience, responsibilities and measurable achievements. Successful applicants will be contacted by LT Selection for an initial confidential discussion about the opportunity and the selection process. LT Selection is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.