At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development to support people with learning disabilities and sight loss.
- Company: Join SeeAbility, a purpose-driven organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Remote work with occasional travel; be part of a diverse and inclusive team.
- Why this job: Shape strategies that empower individuals to live fulfilling lives in their communities.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business development, ideally in health or social care.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Remote working with occasional travel to new Business Development areas including our Central Office in Leatherhead, Surrey
Salary: £60,000 per annum plus SeeAbility benefits
Hour: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, Permanent
Drivers with own Vehicle: Essential
This is an exciting time to join SeeAbility as we launch our new five‑year strategy and grow our impact. We’re looking for a Head of Business Development to lead our growth ambitions and help more people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss live independent, fulfilling lives in their communities.
At SeeAbility, purpose comes first. Our work consistently exceeds expectations, and this role gives you the opportunity to shape how we grow, influence strategy, and make a real difference to people’s lives. You’ll join a committed leadership team at a time of momentum, where your expertise will directly support our mission to help people Live, Love, Thrive and Belong.
What we’re looking for:
- You’ll be an experienced, commercially astute business development leader with a strong track record of securing new opportunities and managing tenders and contracts.
- Ideally, you’ll bring experience from health, social care, housing or a related sector, with an understanding of commissioning and supported living services.
- You’ll be confident building relationships with commissioners, housing partners and stakeholders, able to think strategically while delivering results.
- Strong leadership, excellent communication skills and a values‑led approach are essential.
You will contribute to and co-ordinate business development activity including tender submissions, report writing and the maintenance of relevant databases. You will also coordinate referrals and work with the operational team to ensure that all new homes are set up appropriately and meet the expectations of the people we support, families and our commissioners.
Your responsibilities:
- Develop a strategy for identifying opportunities for SeeAbility to support more people, that complements the objectives within our 5-year strategy.
- Ensure SeeAbility is known within its strategic areas whilst constantly reviewing the availability of new opportunities.
- In conjunction with operational colleagues work to improve the quality of our external network of relationships with customers and influential organisations.
- Liaise with local housing providers to establish a range of housing solutions for people who require individual support packages.
- Keep in touch with the referrals, call offs and enquiries database and contribute to the analysis of data to inform future strategy.
- Ensure service managers are competent with the referral and assessment process and deliver training/induction if required.
- Work closely with relevant departments in the organisation with regards to tender demands and requirements.
- Line manage and develop two Business Development Managers.
- Personally develop relationships with key customers and stakeholders, by meeting regularly in a structured manner and reporting accordingly.
- Facilitate tender presentations/submissions and contract negotiations.
- Analyse post submission feedback on tenders and ensure that lessons learnt are incorporated into new bids and tenders.
- Ensure all contracts with existing customers are commercially robust and that the contract value is maximised and risks reduced.
- As part of SeeAbility’s Leadership Group, take a key role in collaborating to deliver our 5-year strategy and building a one team culture.
Our Benefits:
- 33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays), rising to 41 days with long service.
- Life events leave – time off when it matters most.
- Organisational Sick Pay – 2 weeks after 6 months, up to 12 weeks over 3 years.
- Buy or sell annual leave.
- Enhanced Family-Friendly Pay + Paid Fertility Leave.
- Carers Leave.
- £500 monthly bonus draw – two lucky winners every month.
- Blue Light Card + retail discounts & cashback.
- Access to Tickets for Good.
- Pay reviews + competitive rates.
- Pension scheme with tools to plan your future.
- Paid DBS & renewals.
- Season ticket loans.
- Advance Pay & Savings via Wagestream.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Life assurance – 2x annual salary.
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Free eye tests.
- Discounted gym membership.
- In-house Wellbeing Coach.
SeeAbility is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. We expect all staff to uphold this commitment and have a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding.
As part of our safer recruitment procedures, we require the following checks for all successful applicants:
- A criminal background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (where appropriate).
- Documentary evidence to confirm your identity, current address, and the right to work in the UK.
- Health Declaration to ensure that you are medically suitable for the role you have been offered.
- References will be obtained to ensure satisfactory evidence of conduct in current or previous employment concerned with the provision of services relating to health or social care, or children or vulnerable adults.
SeeAbility is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all identities, including those from underrepresented groups and those who have a disability or neurodivergent condition. We are pleased to confirm that we are a Disability Confident Employer.
Head of Business Development in Surrey employer: SeeAbility
At SeeAbility, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture in Exeter, Devon. With comprehensive training, career progression opportunities, and a strong focus on employee well-being, we empower our Support Workers to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we support. Join us in a role that is not just a job, but a chance to make every day matter for individuals with learning disabilities and sight loss.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Development in Surrey
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by SeeAbility.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like SeeAbility.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at SeeAbility.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at SeeAbility. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of SeeAbility. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Business Development, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at SeeAbility
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of SeeAbility. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
