Business Development Manager in Ipswich

Location: Remote with occasional meetings at the Head Office, IP3 9SJ

Salary: Starting from £40,000-£45,000 per annum (depending on experience) + great benefits

Hours: Full-time

About Us

At Suffolk Building Society, we’re more than just a mortgage lender. We were formed over 175 years ago to help people save and buy property, but we're far from old-fashioned, stuffy, and stuck in our ways though. We’re a community. As a member‑owned organisation, we put people first, not shareholders. That means everything we do is driven by our values and our commitment to making a positive impact.

• Flexibility: We understand the importance of work‑life balance and offer a range of flexible working options to suit your home commitments and lifestyle.
• Development: Your growth matters to us. From day one, you’ll receive full training, ongoing support, and opportunities to progress in your career.
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: We’re serious about creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone can be their authentic self.
• Career Progression: Whether you’re looking for stability or want to advance in financial services, we’ll support your journey.
• Community Focused: We’re dedicated to supporting local communities, charities, and promoting ethical practices in everything we do.

About the Role

If you eat and sleep criteria, can network with the best of them, and like nothing more than getting a case over the line, then walk this way...

Brokers tell us again and again how much they value our business development managers. They know we’re responsive, will shape cases, and give a considered yet fast answer on whether we feel we could lend.

We’re rated a 5‑star lender by Smart Money People, scooped Best Building Society at the Mortgage Strategy Awards this year, and have made the finals of the L&G Mortgage Club Awards two years running. We’re not stopping now, which is why we’re looking to grow our BDM Team to cover a brand‑new area (for us) - the midlands.

The role involves identifying and onboarding new broker firms and individual brokers through networking, cold calling, and other business development activities. The role will also include supporting those who’ve previously used the Society by offering a dedicated point of contact going forward. You’ll be providing ongoing support and strengthening relationships while promoting the Society’s proposition and lending solutions. You’ll also grow and retain accounts and develop a pipeline of new business through effective market knowledge, strategic planning, and an understanding of the Society’s offerings and competitors.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement a sales strategy to achieve gross mortgage application targets and completions, focusing on a good conversion rate of business through to completion and maintaining a healthy pipeline.
• Manage business quality, ensuring we hit conversion rates, gross to net and net to completion.
• Achieve own sales targets and objectives along with focusing on department targets and overall plans for the Society.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers and internal stakeholders to deliver a first‑class service.
• Identify potential brokers and the decision makers within the organisation and build strong relationships.
• Build a strong broker following to grow repeat usage to the Society from key firms within your area – managing the quality of distribution.
• Support brokers with case shaping, criteria and product support, helping to win business by providing a first‑class customer service experience on complex cases.
• Meet potential brokers by growing, maintaining, and leveraging your network.
• Work with technical staff and other internal colleagues to meet broker needs.
• Handle objections by clarifying, emphasising agreements, and working through differences to a positive conclusion.
• Use a variety of styles to persuade or negotiate appropriately.
• Support our award‑winning marketing team with broker surveys and wider marketing content– encouraging feedback to enable positive change within the Society.
• Plan sales meetings, presentations and pitches - develop proposals that meet the broker’s needs, concerns, and objectives, whilst continuing to observe the needs of the Society.
• Identify new niche business ideas to enable the Society to continuously develop its USPs.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date broker contact records to ensure effective external relationship management.
• Work closely with the Head of Intermediaries to support strategic approach to the Intermediary market – including (but not limited to) attending events (virtual and in person), providing market feedback, supporting with marketing content and insight into designated area.
• Proactively identify, assess, monitor, and report risks, ensuring robust controls are in place across operational and conduct areas.

Qualifications:

• Professional qualification – CeMap or Equivalent (desirable)
• Experience working with brokers
• Sales Planning skills & working in a targeted environment (desirable)
• Problem solving and decision‑making skills
• Influencing and negotiating skills
• Time management and personal organisation skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Benefits:

• Permanent Health Insurance (after 2 years’ service)
• Life insurance & wellness programs
• Healthcare cash plan & retailer discounts
• Success‑Sharing Bonus (discretionary)
• Enhanced payments for periods of family leave
• Comprehensive training & career progression opportunities
• Opportunities to volunteer & support local charities

Join Us – Be Part of Something Bigger

At Suffolk Building Society, we’re all about real people, real values, and real impact. If you’re looking for a career (not just a job) where you can grow, belong, and make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!