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- Tasks: Drive apprenticeship opportunities and build relationships in the Early Years and Childcare sector.
- Company: Join a mission-driven company focused on professional growth and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Generous leave, paid volunteering, wellness perks, and recognition awards.
- Other info: Remote role with a supportive team and excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while achieving your career goals.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience in apprenticeships and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Location: Remote-based, supporting clients in North of England
Hours: 36.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
Salary: up to £35,000 per annum plus bonus
Our mission is driven by five core values: Purpose, Positioning, Values, Personality, and Proposition. We are proud to say that 91% of our apprentices report satisfaction with their learning experience and the professional growth they've achieved with us.
In this role, you'll be a key member of our growing Business Development team, using a solution-focused approach to identify apprenticeship opportunities and drive learner starts across your region or sales vertical - particularly within the Early Years and Childcare sector.
As a confident and experienced sales professional, you'll leverage your communication skills and commercial insight to secure new business, build lasting relationships, and tailor solutions that reflect our values and strategic goals. Your consultative approach will position Shaping Lives as the provider of choice for both new and existing partners.
Key Responsibilities- Achieve KPIs and apprenticeship targets through new business and account management
- Identify and engage SME clients, especially in Education
- Provide expert guidance on the Apprenticeship Levy and ROI for clients
- Design tailored apprenticeship solutions and build lasting client relationships
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth onboarding and delivery
- Proven success in apprenticeship sales, ideally in Early Years and childcare/education
- Strong commercial acumen and consultative sales approach
- Confident communicator with experience presenting to decision-makers
- Self-motivated, organised, and target-driven
- Passionate about apprenticeships and making a difference
- Proficient in MS Office; CRM experience a plus
- Willingness to travel nationally with a business-insured vehicle
- Generous Annual Leave: 20 days, increasing with length of service, plus a holiday purchase scheme
- Holiday Benefits: 3 Paragon Days for our operational December closure and 8 Public Bank Holidays
- Extra Day Off: Enjoy an additional day off to celebrate your birthday
- Paid Volunteering Leave: Up to 3 days of paid leave for volunteering opportunities and corporate conscience initiatives
- Perkbox: Access to a wide range of lifestyle benefits and wellness tools
- Recognition and Long Service Awards: Celebrating the milestones and contributions of our colleagues
We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a guaranteed interview scheme in place to ensure that nobody is overlooked or discriminated against because of their disability. If you meet the minimum criteria when you apply and you have informed us in your application that you have a disability, you will be guaranteed an interview for that role.
To promote and maintain an inclusive working environment, as part of your application process we will ask you to share data on certain characteristics. These answers will not form part of the selection and recruitment process and will not be shared with anyone outside of the People Team.
Shaping Lives is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our learners and colleagues and we implement robust safer recruitment practices to support this. Dependant on the role you are applying for, we may undertake a number of necessary checks to confirm you are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check. We are also committed to promoting equality and inclusion throughout our colleague and learner populations.
Business Development Manager - North employer: Shaping Lives
Contact Detail:
Shaping Lives Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - North
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and childcare sectors. Attend local events or webinars to meet potential clients and partners. Remember, it's all about building those relationships!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a few case studies or success stories that highlight your achievements in apprenticeship sales. This will help you demonstrate your value to potential clients and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Whether it’s a casual chat or a formal presentation, being confident in your communication is key. Tailor your message to reflect our values and how you can help clients achieve their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to make a difference in apprenticeships.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - North
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your sales achievements, especially in apprenticeship sales or the Early Years sector, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about apprenticeships and how your consultative approach can help us achieve our mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a confident communicator, it’s important to demonstrate this in your application. Use clear and concise language, and don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've successfully engaged with decision-makers in the past.
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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shaping Lives
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the apprenticeship landscape, especially in Early Years and Childcare. Familiarise yourself with the Apprenticeship Levy and how it can benefit clients. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Since this role involves designing tailored apprenticeship solutions, think about how you can showcase your consultative sales approach during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged clients in the past and how you can apply those strategies to meet the needs of potential partners.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a confident communicator, you'll need to present your ideas clearly. Practice articulating your thoughts on how you would secure new business and build lasting relationships. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or family to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as personable and professional.
✨Align with Their Values
Study the company's core values: Purpose, Positioning, Values, Personality, and Proposition. Think about how your own values align with theirs and be ready to discuss this in the interview. Showing that you resonate with their mission will set you apart as a candidate who is not just looking for a job, but is passionate about contributing to their goals.