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- Tasks: Drive business growth by generating new opportunities and building client relationships.
- Company: Join UpSkill Universe, a leader in digital skills and inclusion since 2015.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days holiday, and annual learning grants.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values growth and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the digital age while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development or sales, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About UpSkill Universe
UpSkill Universe - founded in 2015 - is on a mission to empower all people to succeed in the digital age. Through human-centred, experiential learning programmes, we work with businesses and communities - supported by a global network of coaches, trainers and digital experts - to empower people and stimulate economies from a grassroots level.
UpSkill Universe is a leading organisation in the world of Skills and Inclusion. Since 2015 we’ve built some of the world's largest award-winning digital skills, talent and inclusion programmes empowering over 650,000 people globally partnering with the likes of Google, Walmart, HSBC, and TikTok. We are passionate about tackling the skills and representation in business, supporting companies to create equitable career pathways to boost progression and develop relevant skills for the future workplace.
As a company, we have big plans to continue our expansion and growth in the UK, and continue to roll out our programs targeting the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa markets. We are continuing to grow and want to build an iconic company recognised for its innovative approach to delivering scalable learning.
About the challenge
We are looking for a driven and entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to lead the growth of Upskill Universe by generating new business through self-sourced opportunities and outbound outreach. This role is ideal for a confident hunter who thrives on building relationships from the ground up and is motivated by opening doors and winning new clients.
You will play a pivotal role in executing our commercial strategy, with a focus on client diversification and profitable growth. Using a highly targeted, value-based sales approach, you’ll leverage our Future Skills content and learning solutions to address the evolving needs of decision-makers in high-growth industries, particularly across talent, skills, and inclusion.
Responsibilities
- Proactively identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, primarily through cold outreach (email, LinkedIn, calls, and events).
- Building a pipeline of qualified prospects and developing relationships from first contact to close.
- Understanding the unique challenges of each client and crafting tailored solutions aligned with their learning, upskilling, and inclusion goals.
- Engaging stakeholders across HR, L&D, D&I, and leadership teams to demonstrate the value and impact of our offer.
- Contributing to the evolution of our BD processes and reporting tools to drive visibility and forecast accuracy.
This is a new business-first role — success will come from your ability to independently generate, nurture, and convert new leads. You’ll be expected to take ownership of your territory, bring energy and initiative, and help shape the way Upskill Universe reaches and engages future partners.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Proven experience in business development or sales roles, preferably in a start-up, scale-up, or consultancy environment.
- Strong understanding of market research, lead generation, and client relationship management.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills, with a track record of successfully closing deals.
- Ability to develop and execute business development strategies that drive revenue growth.
- Experience in building and maintaining strategic partnerships.
- Demonstrable success in achieving sales targets and driving business growth.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Knowledge and expertise in social impact, learning & development, diversity & inclusion, digital upskilling.
- Examples of implementing new processes to optimise efficiency or deliver best practice.
- Experience with LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
- Competent using G-suite, Hubspot and Slack.
- Comfortable with adhering to DACI/RACI for role clarity.
Working at UpSkill
Working at UpSkill is more than ‘just another job’, it’s a chance to build something that matters with a team that truly cares. You’ll get the freedom, tools and support to bring your best self to work and make an impact where it matters most.
We offer you an abundance of benefits and initiatives that actually matter, such as:
- Access to annual learning grants so you can take control of your learning and development journey.
- Early Friday finishes because you deserve it!
- 25 days paid holiday.
- Agile working environment - we aren’t worried about where you work from as long as you get what you need to get done.
- Referral, commission and bonus schemes.
- Well-being initiatives and a jam-packed social schedule for the chance to build real, meaningful relationships.
- Strong tech set-up, whether you are working from home or visiting our London office!
Our values
- We own it: The impact of what we do is what fuels us, so we take full ownership of our work and our relationships to ensure we deliver with pride.
- We fix each other’s crowns: Whether it’s our team, our clients or our partners, we support each other to be at our best, always striving to be there when you need an uplift.
- We strive to grow: Every person we meet has something amazing to offer this world, so we celebrate our differences and foster a mindset of curiosity, inspiring each other to greatness.
- We work sustainably: We adopt mindful practices and prioritise the health of each other and our environment, ensuring our impact is always positive.
We would love to get a feel for your approach and personality, so if you feel you would be a great fit, please submit your application.
UpSkill Digital is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer. All relevant and qualified applicants will be considered regardless of religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability and age.
Business Development Manager employer: UpSkill Digital Ltd
Contact Detail:
UpSkill Digital Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Attend industry events, webinars, and meetups to connect with potential clients and partners. Remember, it’s all about building relationships, so don’t be shy – introduce yourself and share what you’re passionate about!
✨Tip Number 2
Leverage LinkedIn like a pro! Use it to research companies and decision-makers in your target industries. Send personalised connection requests and engage with their content to get noticed. It’s a great way to warm up leads before reaching out directly.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your outreach! Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Craft tailored emails or messages that address the specific needs of your prospects. Show them how our Future Skills content can solve their challenges – make it all about them!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep track of your progress! Use tools like Hubspot to manage your leads and follow-ups. This will help you stay organised and ensure you’re nurturing those relationships effectively. Plus, it’ll give you insights into what’s working and what needs tweaking!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for business development and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in business development. Mention specific skills that align with our goals at UpSkill Universe, like client relationship management and lead generation.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you’ve driven growth or closed deals in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at UpSkill Digital Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into UpSkill Universe's mission and values. Understand their focus on skills and inclusion, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows genuine interest and helps you connect your background to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Hunting Skills
As a Business Development Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to generate leads. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully identified and pursued new business opportunities in the past. Highlight your cold outreach strategies and any successful deals you've closed.
✨Tailor Your Approach
During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you would tailor solutions for potential clients. Think about the unique challenges they might face in learning and upskilling, and come up with ideas on how you could address these. This will show your problem-solving skills and understanding of client needs.
✨Engage and Connect
Building relationships is key in this role. Practice engaging with your interviewers as if they were potential clients. Ask insightful questions about their current challenges and how they envision the future of skills and inclusion. This not only demonstrates your communication skills but also your proactive approach.