Business Development Manager

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Location: Bristol Office, with hybrid working available.

Contract: Permanent. Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours per week).

Job Summary: iCQ Awards provides awarding and assessment services to hundreds of training providers and employers across the UK – directly supporting the development of individuals through skills, knowledge and behaviours, often within the workplace. As we continue to expand our reach, we are seeking an exceptional Business Development Manager to play a key role in our continued success. As the Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for leading and inspiring the sales function and coordinate with the account manager team to achieve and exceed revenue targets. Your strategic vision and leadership will be instrumental in driving market share, building lasting client relationships, and positioning iCQ as the go‑to provider for qualifications, apprenticeship assessments and our integrated assessment and learner management software solution in the training and assessment sector. You will be a visible and customer‑facing individual, handle the process from initial enquiry or engagement through to successful onboarding, and support customers through the application and recognition processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Being the first point of contact for potential customers who want to engage with iCQ for awarding, assessment or software services.
• Responding to enquiries in an efficient and timely manner.
• Working closely with the marketing and PR team to help carry out lead generating campaigns and activities, following up on targeted communications and offers efficiently.
• Helping to identify potential new markets, customers and opportunities.
• Working independently and in collaboration with others, particularly marketing colleagues, to contribute to annual growth.
• Managing and updating the business development pipeline on our software system, iLearner.
• Providing prospective customers with appropriate advice and information about iCQ and our qualifications, systems, and assessment services.
• Facilitating the inclusion of iCQ in bid proposals by providing evidence and materials to The Workforce Development Trust bids team.
• Working with others in the iCQ team to understand feedback about service levels and opportunities by sharing customer insights.
• Taking part in events, external and internal meetings that drive business development.
• Building productive relationships with colleagues, customers and stakeholders across the sectors that iCQ work with.
• Working as an effective team member to support iCQ in achieving our goals and objectives.
• Maintaining professional behaviours and standards in line with iCQ and wider Workforce Development Trust values in every interaction.

Benefits:

• Generous annual leave entitlement up to a maximum of 28 days, plus public holidays and a potential Christmas closure.
• Flexible working – 50% working from home with a dress for your day approach.
• Staggered start and finish time.
• Enhanced leave, bereavement, carers, maternity, paternity and sickness leave.
• Health and wellbeing benefits, access to our mental health first aiders, a confidential employee assistance programme, free eye tests and payment for an annual flu jab.
• Enhanced pension scheme, with a contribution matching up to a combined 12%, and the option to join the Salary Exchange Pension Scheme along with death in service coverage at three times annual salary.
• Flexible employee benefits portal including a cycle to work scheme.
• Buy annual leave scheme.
• Organisational development days and departmental training budgets.
• Payroll giving, this is a tax‑free way to donate to any charity, good cause or place of worship.

Additional Information:

• This job requires some days in the office. Please consider if you are willing to relocate before applying.
• Please include your CV and Cover letter when applying. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Only apply if you currently have a valid right to work in the UK.
• Please note, we reserve the right to alter the closing date before the one stated.

The Workforce Development Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone. If your experience differs a little from what is outlined in the job description, or you are missing a desired qualification, yet you think you can bring value to this role, please apply, we would like to hear more about you. We strongly encourage people of all gender, religion, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and individuals with disabilities to apply. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any point, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to advise on your preferred pronouns, for example she/her, he/him, they/them etc.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level – Employment type: Full‑time – Job function: Business Development, Education, and Sales – Industries: Non‑profit Organizations and Education Administration Programs.