Head of Business Development in Stockport

Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other. Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support - they are at the heart of everything we do. We stand by them and we work together for change. Alongside an incredible team of like-minded peers, you’ll be working behind-the-scenes to support our staff, volunteers, families, and supporters. You will be helping our work happen across the charity; enabling us to care for and champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support.

The Role

As the Head of Business Development, you will provide strategic leadership and hands‑on delivery to stabilise and strengthen the Trust’s business development approach. You will lead the end‑to‑end opportunity pipeline – from market intelligence and commissioner engagement through to bid development, governance and mobilisation handover – ensuring opportunities are aligned to strategy, deliver strong outcomes, and are financially viable.

Hours: 37.5 Hours
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Location: Together Trust, Cheadle, Stockport, Hybrid working with travel

Responsibilities include but are not exhaustive:

• Provide visible leadership for the Trust’s business development function, setting clear priorities and ways of working, and coordinating contribution from service, operational, clinical and corporate colleagues.
• Develop and maintain a Trust‑wide opportunity pipeline (tenders, frameworks, spot‑purchase growth, strategic partnerships and other commissioned income routes), including qualification, prioritisation, and clear next steps.
• Lead proactive engagement with commissioners, local authorities, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS partners and other stakeholders to understand demand, shape specifications where appropriate, and position the Trust effectively.
• Own the end‑to‑end bid process: establish bid plans, coordinate contributors, draft and quality‑assure responses, and ensure submissions are compliant, persuasive, and submitted on time.
• Work with Finance and service leads to ensure all bids and proposals are underpinned by robust costing, pricing, risk assessment and contract terms review; ensure financial viability and appropriate approvals before submission.
• Create and embed a practical bid governance approach (stage‑gates, templates, timelines and sign‑off), so that bidding is consistent, efficient and auditable.
• Champion the Together Trust’s vision, mission and values, and role model the Trust’s behaviour.
• Commit to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in how opportunities are developed and how the Trust works with partners.
• Maintain a visible presence across Trust services and corporate teams, balancing hybrid working with on‑site engagement as needed.

About You

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent senior leadership experience).
• Evidence of continuing professional development in leadership, commissioning, commercial practice or service transformation.
• Significant senior experience in commissioning, business development, service development or strategic partnership working within a public service environment (e.g. local authority, NHS, education, social care, VCFSE).
• Proven track record of developing successful proposals, business cases, tenders or commissioning documentation - including coordinating multiple contributors to deadlines.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including experience engaging credibly with senior commissioners and partners.
• Good understanding of public sector commissioning and procurement routes, including tendering, frameworks and contract governance.
• Understanding of the importance of safeguarding, quality and regulatory expectations when developing and mobilising services for children, young people and adults.
• Ability to analyse complex problems, identify options and recommend proportionate solutions.
• Full UK driving licence with ability to travel across Together Trust locations and to partner/commissioner meetings as required.

Annual Leave: 27 days holiday plus 8 days bank holidays rising to 30 after 5 years, 33 days after 10 years.
Generous pension scheme and death in service benefit, up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit.
Occupational sick pay and family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
Reward and Discount platform offering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances.
Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card.
Proud to be a real living wage employer.
Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us.
Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications.
Long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday.
Promotion of Wellbeing across the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleagues and free weekly yoga sessions in person or online.
Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home.

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio‑economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience. If there is any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can to support you.

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy.