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- Tasks: Drive business growth by opening new markets and building partnerships in the leisure sector.
- Company: Join ESPO, a forward-thinking organisation committed to equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in expanding ESPO's commercial footprint and international presence.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to suit your lifestyle.
The predicted salary is between 41208 - 45054 ÂŁ per year.
Organisation: ESPO
Work Location: Hybrid â Field Based with travel to ESPO, Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby
Salary: ÂŁ41,208 - ÂŁ45,054 per annum (Pro rata for part time)
Working Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term -12 months Maternity Cover
Closing Date: Sunday 22nd February 2026
Interview Date(s): End of February/Early March 2026
Do you thrive on opening new markets and building commercial partnerships? Can you adapt across brands and sectors, tailoring your approach to different customers? Do you have experience supplying to UK Holiday Parks or International Schools sector?
About the Role
ESPO is expanding into new commercial markets and we are seeking a Business Development Manager to support both national and international growth plans. The role includes outreach into emerging commercial and thirdâsector markets, with a particular focus on the leisure and holiday park sector, as well as supporting ESPO International through key distribution partners to grow our presence in new and emerging international markets. This fixedâterm maternity cover position offers the opportunity to develop ESPO Trading Limitedâs (ETL) sales channels and commercial footprint, open new markets and build partnerships that support the wider growth strategy for our brands; Smart Solutions and ESPO International. You will work across brands and sectors, adapting your approach to suit different customers and markets. You will identify and progress new customer opportunities, build networks, develop propositions and support commercial conversations that position ESPO as a trusted sourcing and procurement partner. The role combines strategic outreach with practical account development, including managing proposals, engagement plans and pipeline reporting, using CRM and customer insight tools to inform activity and forecast growth. Success in the role will involve securing new customers, establishing strong sector relationships, supporting distribution partner activity for ESPO International and enabling ESPOâs commercial brands and service solutions to deliver measurable outcomes.
About You
- Proven sales and/or account management experience in a commercial environment
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with an ROI focus
- Ability to create new market channels and develop relationships at pace
- Confident communicator with strong influencing and presentation skills
- Ability to interpret datasets and complex information using ERP systems, CRM and Excel to support business development and growth.
Weâd also expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the interview process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.
What we offer:
- Flexible working opportunities and access to employee benefits portal with salary sacrifice car lease scheme.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and a scheme to buy additional leave.
- Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution.
- Opportunities for learning development.
- Great office location next to Fosse Park, with free onâsite parking and easy access to M1 and M69.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individualâs personal circumstances while still meeting the needs of ESPO. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below. This may include requests for termâtime working, partâtime hours, compressed hours, flexible start and finish times, home/remote working, etc.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Helen Swann, Head of Business Development Telephone: 07584 775985
How to Apply
ESPO is an inclusive organisation which is on a journey to embed and celebrate equality, diversity, and inclusion at every level. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, as having a diverse workforce with different perspectives and ideas is fundamental to our values and enriches the services we offer our customers. We particularly welcome applicants from Ethnically Diverse and LGBTQ Plus communities and people with disabilities to create a balanced workforce and one that reflects the customers we serve. Applicants with a disability who meet the criteria listed in the âAbout Youâ section above will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme.
To apply for this job, please click âApply Nowâ. You will need to upload a supporting statement as part of your application which explains how you meet the criteria listed in the âAbout Youâ section above. For more information, see the How to Apply section on our career site. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Employee Service Centre.
Business Development Manager employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and donât be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Business Development Manager role.
â¨Tip Number 2
Research is key! Dive deep into ESPOâs mission and values, and understand their market presence. This will not only help you tailor your approach during interviews but also show that youâre genuinely interested in contributing to their growth strategy.
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role. Prepare examples of how you've successfully opened new markets or built partnerships in the past. Confidence and clarity can really set you apart from other candidates.
â¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows youâre serious about the opportunity. Donât forget to highlight your relevant skills and experiences in your supporting statement!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the criteria in the 'About You' section. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the table!
Showcase Your Achievements: Donât just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your sales and account management prowess. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your success, even better!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! Weâre looking for confident communicators who can adapt their approach. Share examples of how you've built relationships and influenced others in your previous roles.
Apply Early: Donât wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get your application in as soon as you can through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
â¨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the leisure and holiday park sector. Understand the current trends, challenges, and opportunities. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your ability to adapt across different markets.
â¨Showcase Your Sales Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your sales and account management experience. Focus on instances where you successfully opened new markets or built strong commercial partnerships, as this aligns perfectly with what ESPO is looking for.
â¨Master the Data
Brush up on your skills with CRM systems, ERP tools, and Excel. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your business development strategies and forecast growth in previous roles. This will show your strong commercial acumen and ROI focus.
â¨Emphasise Your Communication Skills
As a Business Development Manager, you'll need to influence and present effectively. Prepare to discuss how you've communicated complex information to various stakeholders. Practising your presentation skills beforehand can give you the confidence to shine during the interview.
