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- Tasks: Drive apprenticeship opportunities and build relationships in the Early Years and Childcare sector.
- Company: Shaping Lives, a mission-driven organisation with a focus on professional growth.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, paid volunteering days, and access to lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Remote role with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- 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 South 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
We have a number of benefits available and all colleagues benefit from our standard benefits including:
- 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. Depending 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 - South in Oxford employer: Shaping Lives
Contact Detail:
Shaping Lives Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - South in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Early Years and Childcare sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Business Development Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s values and mission, especially how they relate to apprenticeships. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your consultative sales approach! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've tailored solutions for clients in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to build lasting relationships and secure new business.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team and making a difference in the apprenticeship landscape.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - South in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in apprenticeship sales, especially in Early Years and childcare, and show us how your skills align with our mission and values.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a confident communicator, it's essential to demonstrate your ability to engage with decision-makers. Use clear and concise language in your application, and don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've successfully built relationships in the past.
Highlight Your Commercial Acumen: We’re looking for someone with strong commercial insight. In your application, make sure to mention any relevant achievements or experiences that showcase your understanding of the Apprenticeship Levy and how it can benefit clients.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure your application reaches us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to explore more about our company culture and values!
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 the role.
✨Showcase Your Sales Skills
Prepare to discuss your previous sales successes, particularly in apprenticeship sales. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've achieved KPIs and built lasting client relationships. This will highlight your consultative approach and commercial acumen, which are key for this position.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Research the company’s values and mission before the interview. Be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals. Tailoring your responses to reflect their core values will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the company culture. Inquire about their approach to client engagement and how they measure success in the Business Development team. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.