At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth and support Franchisees to achieve their business goals.
- Company: Join a leading franchise network in the drainage industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping businesses thrive and succeed.
- Qualifications: Experience in Business Development and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
As Lead Business Development Manager, you will be the primary link between Franchise Business Owners and Head Office. Your role is to drive sustainable growth, profitability, and operational excellence across the franchise network while helping to coach and support the other Business Development Managers, as required. You will partner closely with Franchisees from onboarding through launch and ongoing development, ensuring they operate in line with the business model, achieve financial targets, and continuously improve performance.
KEY OUTCOMES
- Profitable, high‑performing Franchisees aligned to the business model
- Strong, trusted relationships between Franchisees and Head Office
- Early identification and turnaround of underperforming businesses
- Consistent use of data, KPIs, and insight to drive decision‑making
- A capable, engaged Business Development team sharing best practice
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Franchise Performance & Growth
- Analyse Franchisee businesses with a strong focus on profit, margin, and efficiency
- Partner with Franchisees to develop and deliver robust business plans
- Monitor KPIs, sales pipelines, and operational performance to drive growth
- Proactively manage underperformance with early intervention and turnaround planning
- Set, review, and support sales, growth, and customer service standards
Financial & Commercial Insight
- Build and review financial models, P&Ls, and performance dashboards
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency
- Provide meaningful insight and analysis to support Franchisee decision‑making
- Prepare reports for Senior Management highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities
Franchise Development & Onboarding
- Support new Franchisees through training, launch, and early development
- Oversee setup activities including vehicles, uniforms, stationery, and systems
- Support transitions of cluster areas into successful Franchisee operations
- Accompany Franchisees on customer appointments where appropriate
Leadership & Coaching
- Coach, mentor, and motivate Franchise Business Owners to maximise performance
- Provide best practice guidance to Franchisees and the wider BDM team
- Collaborate closely with colleagues across Marketing, Finance, and Operations
- Support and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the network
Systems, Standards & Governance
- Ensure Franchisees operate in line with company standards and brand expectations
- Deliver training on in‑house systems to improve productivity and efficiency
- Maintain accurate, timely performance data and reporting
- Positively promote company policies and ways of working
Strategic Projects & Brand Partnership
- Partner closely with the Brand Leader to support the development and delivery of strategic initiatives across the franchise network
- Translate brand and strategic objectives into practical, scalable actions for Franchisees and where appropriate the wider Business Development team
- Provide operational insight and commercial challenge to strategic projects, identifying risks, opportunities, and implementation considerations
- Act as a key conduit between strategy and execution, ensuring initiatives are effectively embedded within region and as appropriate across the network
- Support the rollout of new processes, systems, and ways of working, ensuring consistency with the Brand and Franchise model
Best Practice & Continuous Improvement
- Champion a continuous improvement mindset across the franchise network and Business Development team
- Identify, develop, and share best practice to drive performance, efficiency, and customer outcomes
- Regularly review Franchisee performance to identify trends, capability gaps, and improvement opportunities
- Lead by example in adopting and promoting data‑led decision making and performance insight
- Encourage innovation while ensuring alignment with company standards, brand values, and governance requirements
EXPERIENCE:
Essential
- Proven experience in Business Development, Sales, or Commercial Leadership
- Strong background in business planning, data analysis, and performance management
- Demonstrable P&L and commercial acumen
- Experience working cross‑functionally (Marketing, Finance, Operations)
- Confident using CRM systems, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint
- Right to work in the UK with full UK driving licence
Desirable
- Experience working within a franchise environment
- Experience within the drainage or related service industry
SKILLS / COMPETENCIES:
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgement
- Highly analytical with the ability to turn data into action
- Excellent relationship builder and influencer
- Confident negotiator with the ability to close and drive outcomes
- Strong problem‑solver who acts quickly and decisively
- Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
ATTRIBUTES
- Collaborative, supportive and driven style with the ability to have challenging conversations
- Passionate about coaching, mentoring, and developing others and their businesses
- Self‑motivated and comfortable working with autonomy
- Solutions‑focused, resilient, and adaptable
- Committed to helping Franchisees succeed while protecting the brand
Business Development Manager - Drain Doctor (South East) employer: Neighborly
At Drain Doctor, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture. As a Business Development Manager in the South East, you will have the opportunity to drive meaningful growth while coaching Franchisees, ensuring their success aligns with our brand values. With a strong focus on employee development, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we offer a rewarding environment where your contributions directly impact the franchise network's performance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Drain Doctor (South East)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its franchise model. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their growth. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you get comfortable with common questions and refine your pitch. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and keeps you on their radar. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the right choice!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Drain Doctor (South East)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in business planning and data analysis, as these are key for driving growth and profitability.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve improved performance or driven sales in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s not only skilled but also a great fit for our team culture. Share your passion for coaching and mentoring others!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Neighborly
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Business Development Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial models and KPIs. Brush up on your P&L knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive business decisions in the past.
✨Build Rapport with Franchisees
Since this role involves working closely with Franchise Business Owners, practice building relationships. Think of examples where you've successfully partnered with others to achieve common goals, and be prepared to share these stories during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
This position requires mentoring and supporting other Business Development Managers. Prepare to discuss your coaching style and provide examples of how you've helped others improve their performance or overcome challenges.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face questions about how you would handle underperforming businesses. Think through potential scenarios and prepare your approach to early intervention and turnaround planning, showcasing your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
