Business Development Manager

Outreach Radio is a Hampshire-based not-for-profit organisation operating community/local radio services on FM, DAB+, AM, online and other digital platforms from studios in West End, Southampton and Chandler’s Ford. Founded during the pandemic lockdown of 2020, we have grown steadily thanks to the dedication and passion of volunteers who have contributed their time to producing entertaining and engaging radio shows and delivering outside broadcast and fundraising events. At the heart of the Outreach mission lies charitable and socially beneficial objectives which form a key part of the service we provide, both on and off-air.

As Outreach looks toward its next phase of growth, with a focus on long‑term financial sustainability and job creation, the opportunity for a new role has arisen, with a focus on business development, sales and marketing. This role will be instrumental in building a business and culture that balances social purpose with commercial and financial viability, enabling Outreach to fulfil its mission more broadly and sustainably.

Crucially, the selection of candidates for these roles is guided not only by professional expertise and experience but also through alignment with our values and vision. These aspects are essential in shaping the future of Outreach, and the service we provide to our listening audience and advertising customers.

Salary – negotiable, depending on experience (full‑time around £30,000 basic with uncapped commission).

This is a hybrid role, with duties performed either from the Outreach office or from home, as agreed with the Managing Director. You’ll ideally live in or within an easy commute of Chandler’s Ford and Hedge End/West End. You will focus on local clients, developing new campaign ideas, demonstrating great account management skills and be motivated by winning new business.

The ideal person will have a background in selling media, ideally radio, although we’re still keen to hear from great candidates who’ve not sold radio before.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Source, identify and secure new business opportunities to maximise revenue.
• Manage a portfolio of clients ensuring your patch is represented professionally.
• Sell across all revenue streams including airtime, digital, sponsorship & promotions.
• Forecast accurate revenue projections, and communicate this to the MD.
• Manage business potential and ensure every possible lead is followed up.
• Travel across our coverage area to meet with prospective and current clients.

What we’re looking for from you:

• Sales experience, ideally in a media environment.
• You are determined, with a resilient mindset.
• You are personable, with a proven track record of building and nurturing relationships.
• Capable of generating new business leads.
• Passionate about the work you do, embracing every opportunity to do your best work.
• Principled and ethical in the way you go about your role and the decisions you make.
• Purposeful with a strong desire to achieve and deliver work to a high standard.
• Capable of identifying key market trends to source new business opportunities.

What we offer:

Outreach Radio is an independent local radio company. Our aim is to support audiences across our coverage area by being a voice of friendliness & positivity, and a source of accurate & reliable information, whilst demonstrating strong ethical values and consideration for listener well‑being. We work hard to lower the barrier to entry for business advertising by offering highly competitive and affordable advertising solutions with great listener reach through lower operating costs and the use of innovative technological solutions. We are proud to be local, and work hard to support local communities, people, businesses, charities, voluntary groups and councils across our coverage area.

Key Measure of Success:

• To achieve monthly targets.
• To ensure full accurate information about deliverables are passed on to relevant staff.

Person Specification:

• Be goal‑driven, focused and results orientated with a positive outlook.
• Be a confident self‑starter who is professional, pro‑active, responsible and friendly.
• Have ability to work independently and handle and overcome objections.
• Have an ability to develop ideas that meet the needs of the client.
• Have excellent negotiation skills.
• Great face‑to‑face and telephone communication skills.
• Have a proven track record of selling advertising and sponsorship, ideally in a radio environment.
• Ability to spot and put forward ways to maximise revenues through new and innovative ideas.
• Able to work to tight deadlines in a pressurised environment.
• Able to form excellent relationships and build a strong rapport internally and externally.
• Open and honest, with an ability to develop personal integrity quickly.
• Enthusiastic and persuasive with resilience and motivation to succeed.
• Good technological and numeracy skills, with high proficiency in MS Office.
• Be willing to undertake training and development as and when required.
• Full Clean Driving License (desirable but not essential).

Flexible Working:

We want to make sure that we find the right people, and we know that the traditional 9‑5, five days a week doesn’t suit everyone. As a radio station that began in the pandemic, we are very comfortable with, and encourage hybrid working. We would love to hear from you if you feel you’re a great fit for this role and would like to work flexibly. If you are the right person for this role, we’ll find the right working approach for you.