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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
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council 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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research ESPO and its values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise common interview questions and come up with examples that showcase your skills in business development and relationship building.
â¨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in making you memorable. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining the team at ESPO. So, get that application in early and make sure to highlight your relevant experience!
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 listed in the job description. We want to see how you can adapt your skills to fit our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: Donât just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to open new markets and build partnerships. We love seeing numbers and results that back up your claims!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for business development and how it drives you!
Apply Early!: We might close the vacancy early if we receive enough applications, so donât wait until the last minute. Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can to ensure youâre in the running!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council
â¨Know Your Market
Before the interview, research the leisure and holiday park sector thoroughly. Understand the current trends, challenges, and opportunities within this market. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your ability to adapt across different sectors.
â¨Showcase Your Sales Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past sales or account management roles that highlight your success in opening new markets and building partnerships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
â¨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be ready to discuss how you've used financial metrics to drive business decisions in previous roles. Highlight your experience with ROI-focused strategies and how you've interpreted datasets to inform your business development efforts.
â¨Align with ESPO's Values
Familiarise yourself with ESPO's values and be prepared to provide examples of how you've demonstrated similar values in your work. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.