Sr. Manager, Business Development – London, United Kingdom
Sr. Manager, Business Development – London, United Kingdom

Sr. Manager, Business Development – London, United Kingdom

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive Subway's growth by securing new Master Franchise partnerships across EMEA.
  • Company: Join one of the world's most iconic brands, Subway.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, insurance reimbursements, and learning opportunities.
  • Why this job: Be part of a transformational journey and fuel healthier lives.
  • Qualifications: 5-8 years in strategy or commercial roles; strong negotiation skills required.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with significant impact on business expansion.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Ready for a fresh, new career? Look no further because one of the world's most iconic brands can help you get there.

At Subway, "better" is baked into our DNA. We are a brand that believes in continued improvement in our lives, our businesses, and our planet. From the handshake that started our very first sandwich shop to earning our position as one of the world's leading restaurant brands, we've always embraced change and the path ahead. And today, we're making better living way easier.

Our purpose is about more than the food we serve in our restaurants. It’s centred on fueling healthy businesses and healthier lives. It is one of the most exciting times to join the Subway team and contribute to our transformational journey.

About the Role:

We are looking for a Sr. Manager, Business Development based in our London office. The Senior Business Development Manager - Master Franchise, will drive Subway's growth across EMEA by identifying, evaluating, and securing new Master Franchise partnerships. This role will lead end-to-end deal execution: pipeline generation, partner evaluation, commercial negotiation support, internal approvals, and smooth handover into onboarding.

This role requires a mix of commercial mindset and structured deal making discipline - someone who can open doors, assess partners fast, and build a business case for a win-win partnership for the long term. The role will work closely with the MF BU leadership seeking alignment/buy-in for each business case, and will collaborate with other functions (legal, finance, etc.) throughout the process as needed.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Lead Master Franchise Expansion (Deal Origination to Signing)
  • Build and manage a healthy pipeline of MF opportunities across targeted EMEA markets
  • Identify high potential partners (operators, investors, multi-brand retail groups, other QSR players), and the list of key decision-makers within each potential partner.
  • Develop winning outreach strategies, tailored to each market / potential partner: network intros, LinkedIn connection, advisors, targeted approaches
  • Run partner selection process based on criteria aligned with MF BU leadership: capability assessment, reputation checks, financial strength review, strategic fit
  • Conduct market-level screening: store potential, whitespace, competition, macro trends, regulatory considerations
  • Support development of a win-win business plan for a sustainable partnership in the long term, based on store build economics, development and sales growth assumptions.
  • Ensure the business plan is commercially viable, able to create investment appetite and satisfy payback expectations
  • Partner with BU Business Analytics team and Finance to shape the "why this market / why this partner / why now" story, to create buy-in from leadership.
  • Support MF BU leadership throughout negotiation of key commercial terms (development schedules, fees, incentives, governance, performance triggers)
  • Coordinate with Legal on franchise agreement alignment and risk mitigation
  • Support leadership alignment and approval process for each signing by preparing "deal summary sheets" for executive leadership's review.
  • Review, improve, and standardize NBD ways of working to increase speed, quality, and consistency of deal execution
  • Build and continuously refine core sales tools and assets such as: MF sales pitch / partnership deck (master version + market-specific variants)
  • Ensure materials are always "client-ready," aligned internally, and reflective of current strategy, performance, and brand positioning
  • Manage internal communications to keep all stakeholders up to date on each upcoming deal prior to signing, along with expectations on the timelines, initial support needed and business plan KPIs.
  • Successfully hand over each deal after signing to the transition teams for launch readiness (onboarding handover, governance setup, first-year priorities)

Additional responsibilities:

  • Main KPI: # of MF agreements signed (annual target)
  • Other KPIs: # of qualified MF opportunities added to pipeline (monthly/quarterly), # of partner assessments completed and advanced to proposal stage, Time-to-close from first contact to signing, Quality of partnerships (financial strength, development capacity and execution capability).

Skills and Abilities Required:

  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, economics, operations, or similar related field.
  • Master's degree is a plus
  • 5-8+ years' experience in strategy, development, commercial, planning or M&A role.
  • Industry experience: strategy consulting, QSR, retail, FMCG or Real estate are relevant
  • Prior experience in EMEA required
  • Strong commercial judgment and "ownership" mindset
  • Experience building/negotiating complex partnerships or long term commercial agreements
  • Ability to drive initiatives across multiple internal stakeholders
  • Comfortable with long sales cycles, senior level discussions for strategic alignment
  • Clear and concise written and verbal communication
  • Strong presentation and analytical skills
  • Strong proficiency in financial modelling
  • Advanced PowerPoint and Excel capabilities
  • Executive presence / maturity and awareness of the broader business context

What do we Offer?

  • Reimbursements of insurance plans
  • Competitive bonus
  • Commute to work
  • Company Holidays
  • Learning & Development Benefits

Sr. Manager, Business Development – London, United Kingdom employer: Subway

At Subway, we pride ourselves on being an employer that champions growth and innovation, making it an exciting time to join our London team as a Sr. Manager in Business Development. Our work culture is built on collaboration and continuous improvement, offering employees ample opportunities for professional development and meaningful contributions to our transformational journey. With competitive benefits, including insurance reimbursements and a focus on learning and development, Subway is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where every team member can thrive.
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Contact Detail:

Subway Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Sr. Manager, Business Development – London, United Kingdom

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners or mentors. You never know who might help you land that dream job!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent news, and what makes them tick. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to show how you can contribute to their growth.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role. Highlight your experience in business development and your ability to build strong partnerships. Make it clear how you can drive Subway’s growth across EMEA.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the right choice for the job.

We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Manager, Business Development – London, United Kingdom

Business Development
Commercial Negotiation
Pipeline Management
Market Analysis
Partner Evaluation
Strategic Planning
Financial Modelling
Stakeholder Management
Presentation Skills
Analytical Skills
Deal Structuring
Sales Enablement
Communication Skills
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Sr. Manager, Business Development. Highlight relevant experience in strategy, commercial negotiations, and partnership development. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Subway!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in business development and how they relate to what we do at Subway. Let your personality shine through!

Showcase Your Commercial Mindset: In your application, emphasise your commercial judgement and ownership mindset. We’re looking for someone who can assess partners quickly and build strong business cases. Make sure to include any relevant metrics or achievements that demonstrate your impact.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the Subway team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Subway

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Subway's mission and values. Understand their approach to business development and how they view partnerships. This will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their growth.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in deal-making and partnership management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewer to see your impact in previous positions.

Ask Smart Questions

Come prepared with insightful questions about Subway's current market strategies and future plans. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a chance to demonstrate your strategic thinking and understanding of the industry.

Be Ready to Negotiate

Since the role involves negotiation support, be prepared to discuss your approach to deal structuring. Think about how you would handle different scenarios and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly. This will showcase your commercial mindset and ability to navigate complex discussions.

Sr. Manager, Business Development – London, United Kingdom
Subway
Location: London

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