At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth by securing contracts and building partnerships in the Employability sector.
- Company: Mission-led organisation focused on employability and skills development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive leadership team.
- Other info: Join a respected organisation with excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on individuals and communities while shaping regional growth strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and strong communication skills required.
Location: West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, and Worcester)
Salary: £40,000 – £48,000
Contract: Fixed-Term (12 Months)
Are you an experienced Business Development Manager, Bid Manager, Employer Engagement Manager, or Partnerships Manager with a proven track record in the Employability and Skills sector? Do you have experience securing new contracts, building strategic partnerships, and driving growth across Restart, Welfare to Work (W2W), Apprenticeships, and Skills programmes?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-led organisation where your commercial expertise will directly contribute to expanding employability services, securing new opportunities, and improving outcomes for individuals, employers, and communities across the West Midlands.
About the Organisation
Our client is a respected and growing organisation operating within the Employability, Skills, Welfare to Work, and Workforce Development sector. They work in partnership with employers, commissioners, local authorities, and public sector organisations to deliver high-quality programmes that support people into sustainable employment and career progression. With a strong reputation for innovation, collaboration, and social impact, the organisation offers a supportive environment where employees are empowered to take ownership, influence strategy, and contribute to long-term growth.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £40,000 – £48,000
- Fixed-term opportunity with a respected organisation
- Opportunity to shape regional growth strategy
- Collaborative and supportive leadership team
- Autonomy to develop and manage your own pipeline
- Career development within the Employability and Skills sector
The Role
As Business Development Manager, you will lead business growth across the West Midlands by identifying new opportunities, securing contracts, and developing strategic partnerships across the Employability, Welfare to Work, Apprenticeships, and Skills landscape. Working closely with internal stakeholders, commissioners, employers, and funding bodies, you'll develop innovative growth strategies while ensuring opportunities align with organisational objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver a regional business development strategy
- Identify and secure new contracts and funding opportunities
- Build strong relationships with employers, commissioners, and local authorities
- Lead bid writing, tender submissions, and proposal development
- Identify opportunities across Restart, Welfare to Work, Skills, and Apprenticeship programmes
- Collaborate with delivery teams to support successful programme mobilisation
- Monitor funding opportunities, policy changes, and market developments
- Manage a pipeline of business opportunities and strategic partnerships
- Represent the organisation at networking events and stakeholder meetings
- Contribute to long-term commercial growth and business planning
The Ideal Candidate
We're looking for an ambitious Business Development Manager, Employer Engagement Manager, Partnerships Manager, Bid Manager, or Commercial Manager with experience within the Employability, Skills, Apprenticeships, Welfare to Work, or Further Education sector. You'll ideally have:
- Proven business development experience within Employability or Skills
- Experience securing contracts, funding, or commercial opportunities
- Knowledge of Restart, Welfare to Work (W2W), Apprenticeships, and Skills programmes
- Strong understanding of DWP, ESFA, Adult Skills Fund (ASF), and funded provision
- Experience developing partnerships with employers, commissioners, and public sector organisations
- Strong bid writing, tender management, and proposal development skills
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- Commercial awareness with a proven ability to achieve growth targets
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities
If you're an experienced Business Development Manager, Partnerships Manager, Employer Engagement Manager, Bid Manager, or Commercial Manager looking to make a real impact within the Employability and Skills sector, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to join a forward-thinking organisation where you'll help secure new opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and support the delivery of programmes that transform lives across the West Midlands.
Business Development Manager in Coventry employer: S Knights Recruitment
As a Sale Administrator, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Our company offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, all within a vibrant office environment that encourages teamwork and personal development. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Coventry
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We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Data Skills:In business intelligence, it's crucial to highlight your analytical skills and experience with data tools. Make sure your CV showcases any relevant software you’ve used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Add specific examples of how you've used data to drive insights or improvements in previous roles, even if they were in academic projects or internships.
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role like this, hiring managers often have limited time to sift through applications. Get straight to the point in your CV and cover letter. Use bullet points for your achievements, showcasing the impact you've made, like percentage increases in efficiency or specific results from your analyses.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your adaptability. Mention your quick learning abilities and experiences where you adapted to new tools or processes rapidly. This will show that you can jump in and start contributing effectively from day one at S Knights Recruitment.
Craft a Tailored Motivation Statement:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re excited about this temporary role at S Knights Recruitment. Talk about your interest in business intelligence and how this position aligns with your career goals. Remember, it’s not just about what you can offer, but why you’re passionate about becoming part of their team, even for a short time!
How to prepare for a job interview at S Knights Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Your Data Skills
For a business intelligence role, you'll want to showcase your analytical skills and familiarity with data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Be ready to tackle technical questions or case studies demonstrating your ability to interpret data and make insightful recommendations.
✨Plan Your Portfolio of Projects
Since this is a temporary position, we should highlight any past projects you've worked on in business intelligence. Prepare a portfolio that includes a couple of key pieces where you've effectively utilised data to drive decisions—this will show that you're not just a quick fix but someone who can deliver immediate value.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Temporary roles often require us to hit the ground running, so be ready to discuss how you quickly adapt to new tools, teams, and environments. Share specific examples from previous experiences where you thrived under pressure or had to learn a new system or process in a short time frame.
✨Have Your Metrics Ready
In business intelligence, quantifying your impact is key. Come prepared to share metrics from your past work: think percentages, growth figures, or efficiency improvements. This will really help us paint a picture of how your contributions directly benefited those previous roles.
