At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage clients, generate leads, and collaborate with the sales team in a dynamic SaaS environment.
- Company: Join Thomas, a pioneering SaaS company transforming talent assessment and team collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, early finishes, gym membership support, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Kickstart your sales career in a fast-paced, innovative company with big ambitions.
- Qualifications: Degree in business or related field; strong communication and resilience are key.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team with excellent growth opportunities and a fun work atmosphere.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
About Thomas
At Thomas, we imagine a world of limitless human potential — where people thrive through self‑awareness and strong connections. For over 40 years, we’ve been a global leader in talent assessment, helping organisations recruit, retain, and develop exceptional people. But now? We’re rewriting the rules. We’re no longer just a traditional assessment provider — we’re transforming into a disruptive SaaS company. With the launch of our new platform, Thomas Connect, we’re changing how teams communicate and collaborate. Think team profiling, behaviour comparison tools, and personalised development tips — all driven by psychometric insight and designed to help people work smarter together. Now for the exciting part… Our Manchester office opened its doors last September, and it’s already become a key hub for growth. We’re now expanding the team to keep that momentum going. If you want to be part of a scaling SaaS company with big ambitions, this is the perfect time to join.
About the role
If you’re looking to launch your career in SaaS sales and want to be part of something genuinely disruptive, this is it. We’re looking for someone who’s driven, a great communicator, and resilient—the kind of person who thrives on challenge and bounces back stronger. You’ll be reporting to the Director of Business Development, working alongside a high‑energy team focused on growth.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead Generation – Prospect like a pro. You’ll use cold calling, email, LinkedIn, and social selling to identify and engage new leads.
- Client Engagement – Start meaningful conversations. Understand potential customers' challenges and share how our SaaS solutions can help.
- Sales Collaboration – Work closely with our Sales team to create smart outreach strategies and keep the pipeline flowing.
- CRM Management – Keep everything on track. Log all activity and interactions in our CRM so we never miss a beat.
- Marketing Alignment – Partner with Marketing to help drive interest, test ideas, and fuel campaigns that work.
What we’re looking for:
- You’ve got a degree in something businessy – like Business Studies, Management, or International Business (or a good story if not).
- You’re confident, persuasive, and a great communicator.
- You want to work in sales – targets excite you, and you’re not afraid of hearing “no.”
- You’re adaptable, keen to learn, and ready to grow in a fast‑paced SaaS environment.
- You play well with others, but you can also take the lead and make things happen.
Bonus points if you also have:
- Experience in a customer‑facing or sales role (think retail, recruitment, telesales, B2B – all welcome!).
- Used a CRM (like Salesforce or HubSpot)? Great. If not, we’ll teach you.
- You’re handy with LinkedIn and know how to research like a detective.
The kind of person who thrives here:
- Great communicator – You know how to speak and listen.
- Gritty – You bounce back fast and keep going.
- Curious – You ask the right questions and genuinely want to learn.
- Energetic – You bring positivity and pace to every day.
- Organised – You manage your time, your tasks, and your follow‑ups like a pro.
Thomas Perform – Our Talent Assessment Tool
At Thomas, we don’t just use CVs and interviews to make decisions — we use our own science too. Thomas Perform is our own Talent Assessment Tool that helps us understand the behaviours, environment, and traits needed to succeed in this role. We’ve created a job profile for this position, and it’ll be used to guide our process — giving us a deeper, more unbiased view of what makes a great fit. You’ll learn more about it as you progress.
Ready to kick off your sales career with us? Apply now — we can’t wait to hear from you.
Benefits:
- Holiday – 25 days per annum, plus the opportunity to purchase up to an extra 5 days per annum through the salary sacrifice holiday buy scheme.
- Early Finish Friday – Finish at 15:00 all year round.
- An extra day off for your birthday and for moving house!
- Employment Assistance Programme – Access to Champion Health which provides a complete support network that offers expert advice and compassionate guidance and is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- UK Healthcare – cash plan where members of Team Thomas can claim back for various healthcare appointments (including dental and optical).
- Gym Membership – Thomas will either pay up to £28 per month towards gym membership at any nationwide gym, or £28 per month towards membership at The Marlow Club (a gym and swimming pool located close to the Marlow office).
- Perkbox – a communication, health & wellbeing, and discount portal, allowing members of Team Thomas to keep up to date with business news, access information on health & wellbeing offerings and access discounts on a wide range of retail products and leisure activities.
- Personalised Feedback Session – with an enablement specialist to gain insight into own Thomas insights.
- Dress down policy – other than for client facing meetings where appropriate.
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Scheme.
- A Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme.
Business Development Associate in Manchester employer: Thomas International
Contact Detail:
Thomas International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Associate in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Connect with people in the industry on LinkedIn, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy to reach out. A friendly message can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Whether it’s a cold call or a casual chat at a networking event, being able to clearly communicate what you bring to the table is key. Keep it concise and engaging!
✨Tip Number 3
Stay proactive! Follow up with leads and connections regularly. A simple check-in can keep you top of mind and show that you’re genuinely interested in building relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join us directly!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Associate in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for SaaS: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the SaaS industry shine through. We want to see that you’re excited about being part of something disruptive and innovative, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight any relevant experience, especially in sales or customer-facing roles, and connect it to what we do at Thomas. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Be Authentic: We love genuine people! Don’t be afraid to share your story and what makes you unique. Whether it’s your journey into sales or a challenge you’ve overcome, authenticity goes a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and ready to take the first step with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas International
✨Know Your SaaS Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the world of SaaS and understand how it works. Familiarise yourself with Thomas Connect and its features. Being able to discuss how our platform can solve customer challenges will show your genuine interest and readiness to engage.
✨Master the Art of Communication
As a Business Development Associate, communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged clients or led conversations in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with potential customers.
✨Show Your Resilience
Expect questions about challenges you've faced and how you've bounced back. Share specific stories that highlight your grit and determination. This will resonate well, as the role requires someone who thrives on challenges and can handle rejection.
✨Be Organised and Proactive
Bring a notebook or device to jot down important points during the interview. Show that you can manage tasks effectively by discussing how you plan to keep track of leads and CRM activities. This will reflect your organisational skills and readiness to hit the ground running.