At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business development by building strategic partnerships for innovative accounting solutions.
- Company: Join Sage, a leader in tech-driven accounting solutions with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive health coverage, flexible work patterns, and paid volunteer days.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team in a hybrid working environment with growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of embedded accounting and make a real impact on small businesses.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in sales or business development with a focus on payroll needs.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Embedded Services is Sage’s newest venture, helping third‑party platforms embed accounting and payroll technology into their products. This is greenfield business development, defining a completely new go‑to‑market motion inside Sage. This is your chance to help launch a disruptive embedded accounting offering that puts accounting and payroll capabilities directly into the products small businesses use every day.
As a Business Development Manager, you will play a central role in building this new business by identifying, developing and closing strategic partnerships across the UK. You will work with organisations that serve small businesses, helping them embed payroll into their platforms in a way that creates real value for their customers. This is a senior individual contributor role where you will own the full partnership lifecycle from identifying and educating prospects, through discovery and co‑designing solutions, to commercial agreement and successful deployment. You will focus on both new partnerships and expanding opportunities within existing relationships.
You’ll be part of a growing UK business development team and supported by product and subject‑matter experts, but this is also a high‑ownership, entrepreneurial environment. We are still early in the journey, so you’ll need creativity, determination and strong commercial instincts to build momentum and shape how we go to market. This role is ideal for someone who understands the payroll needs of small businesses and is excited by the opportunity to build something from the ground up – turning early ideas and conversations into real, launched partnerships that deliver meaningful impact. Success in this role will be measured by partnerships signed, pipeline created, and partner‑driven revenue growth.
At Sage, we believe face‑to‑face collaboration drives innovation, so we operate a hybrid model. You’ll work 3 days per week in the office and two days from home.
Key Responsibilities
- Full business development lifecycle: research, segmenting, targeting, outreach, qualifying, discovery, shaping opportunities
- Customer education (getting past assumptions about Sage)
- Feeding insights into product and marketing
- Helping build internal processes and documentation
- Managing long, complex cycles
- Identify vertical SaaS partners
- Show them how embedded accounting would fit their workflow
Must-haves
- 5+ years of sales or business development experience in technology‑based services.
- Strong knowledge of the payroll needs of UK small businesses.
- University degree or relevant professional qualification.
- Comfort engaging senior stakeholders.
Nice-to-haves
- Exposure to the needs of small businesses, accountants or accountancy.
- Experience working in a bank, SaaS company, fintech, or consulting firm.
- Cross‑functional experience (any mix of consulting, engineering, product, marketing, account management, sales, business development).
Your Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
- Work away scheme for up to 10 weeks a year.
- On‑going training and professional development.
- Paid 5 days yearly to volunteer through our Sage Foundation.
- Flexible work patterns and hybrid working.
Senior Business Development Manager in Winnersh employer: Sage
Contact Detail:
Sage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development Manager in Winnersh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you’re chatting with potential employers or partners, share your insights on the payroll needs of small businesses. This will not only demonstrate your knowledge but also show that you’re genuinely interested in helping them succeed.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like Sage, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website! We’ve got loads of resources and job listings that can help you find the perfect fit. Plus, applying through our site gives you a better chance of being noticed by hiring managers. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager in Winnersh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Business Development Manager. Highlight your experience in business development, especially in tech services, and showcase any relevant partnerships you've built. We want to see how you can bring value to our new venture!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're excited about this greenfield opportunity at Sage. Share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex sales cycles and built relationships with senior stakeholders.
Showcase Your Creativity: Since this role involves building something from scratch, don’t hesitate to show off your creative side! Whether it's through your application or during interviews, let us know how you think outside the box and approach challenges with innovative solutions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Sage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sage
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the payroll needs of small businesses inside out. Research Sage’s embedded services and how they can add value to potential partners. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to building this new business.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous business development successes, especially in technology-based services. Highlight specific examples where you've identified and closed strategic partnerships, as this will demonstrate your ability to own the full partnership lifecycle.
✨Engage with Creativity
Since this is a greenfield opportunity, be ready to share innovative ideas on how to approach potential partners. Think about how you can creatively educate customers about Sage’s offerings and how embedded accounting fits into their workflows.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
During the interview, ask questions that show your understanding of the market and the challenges small businesses face. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also your genuine interest in helping them succeed through strategic partnerships.