At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and build customer relationships across various sectors in Northern Ireland.
- Company: Join Open College Network Northern Ireland, a leader in educational qualifications.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, generous leave, and a solid pension plan.
- Other info: Great opportunities for learning and professional development await you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 3 years in sales, strong IT skills, and a full driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 38682 - 46580 £ per year.
The Business Development Executive will be responsible for developing and retaining customer relationships across a variety of sectors, including Further Education Colleges, Third Sector Organisations and Private Training Organisations through the sale and promotion of OCN NI qualifications and educational products. The role requires travel throughout Northern Ireland, therefore a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Development & Sales Growth
- Drive sales of OCN NI qualifications, products and services.
- Identify and secure new business opportunities, customers and markets.
- Deliver against revenue targets, KPIs and growth objectives.
- Develop and implement business development strategies to expand market reach.
- Customer Relationship & Account Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective customers.
- Conduct account reviews and manage account performance.
- Provide proactive customer support and resolve queries.
- Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Maximise customer retention and revenue opportunities.
- Market Engagement & Product Development
- Promote OCN NI through networking events, exhibitions and marketing activities.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity.
- Contribute to qualification development proposals.
- Support development of new products and services.
- Compliance & Operations
- Maintain compliance with policies, audit requirements and regulatory standards.
- Ensure accurate record keeping and reporting.
- Adhere to internal and external service standards.
- Collaborate with internal teams to support organisational objectives.
- Additional Duties
- Comply with Health & Safety requirements.
- Support ISO 9001 Quality Management requirements.
- Participate in CPD activities.
- Undertake ad hoc projects and other duties as required.
Essential Criteria
- Minimum 3 years' recent experience in a sales role.
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and databases.
- Proven customer relationship management experience.
- Self-motivated and organised.
- Track record of achieving KPIs and targets.
- Ability to build rapport with people from different backgrounds and sectors.
- Successful track record of negotiation and influencing.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to create and deliver presentations.
- Strong financial and commercial awareness.
- Knowledge of the education and training landscape in Northern Ireland.
- Full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience identifying, writing and submitting successful tenders.
- Previous experience within education or training.
- Third-level qualification in Business Studies, Education, Public Administration or similar.
Benefits
- Hybrid working after successful completion of probation.
- Flexible working hours with core hours of 10am to 4pm.
- Pension: 9% employer contribution, 6% employee contribution.
- 39 days annual leave including public holidays, rising to 44 days after 10 years' service.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health cash plan.
- Private health scheme.
- Learning and development opportunities.
Application Process
Applicants should email: CV, Detailed covering letter demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria (and desirable criteria where applicable), OCN NI Monitoring Form. Closing Date: 5pm, Monday 28 September 2026.
Business Development Executive (Maternity Cover) in Belfast employer: Open College Network
Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the vibrant city of Belfast, OCN NI offers a supportive work culture with flexible working hours and hybrid options post-probation, alongside generous benefits such as 39 days of annual leave and a robust pension scheme. Employees are encouraged to develop their skills through various learning opportunities, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful careers in education and training.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Executive (Maternity Cover) in Belfast
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We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Executive (Maternity Cover) in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Open College Network, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Open College Network
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Open College Network’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
