Agri-Tech Business Development & Grants Lead

CHAP, a UK Agri‑Tech Centre funded by Innovate UK, brings together leading scientists, farmers, advisors, innovators and businesses to understand industry challenges, drive research and innovation, and develop and trial solutions that transform crop systems. We work with partners to translate and promote these solutions for market adoption and improved crop productivity. Our mandate is to increase crop productivity for future generations through the uptake of new technologies.

Overall Job Purpose

Reporting to the Commercial Director, the Business Development Manager (BDM) will work with the Commercial Director, Commercial team, Innovation Director and Innovation team to develop and implement a strategy to build a pipeline of new business and grant‑funded projects to establish CHAP’s market position and achieve financial growth. This requires a proven record of successful bid writing for research and development services, experience in commercial key account management, a thorough knowledge of the sector and an understanding of CHAP’s capabilities.

The BDM will work with CHAP partners, leading scientists, potential customers, collaborators and government agencies to identify opportunities across SMEs, large agrichemical companies, farmers, growers, agronomists, food retailers, seed companies and soil experts, in conjunction with the Commercial Director and Innovation Director to define short, medium and long‑term goals to establish areas of interest, project and income targets.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Develop and manage the Business Development Opportunity Programme, leading a multi‑talented team that operates on opportunity rather than department, guiding staff as needed.
• Identify commercial business and grant opportunities; recognise potential for innovation in agriculture and the agri‑food sectors.
• Build and maintain high‑level strategic key relationships in the sector to grow and leverage the network.
• Develop rapport with potential new clients and collaborators and determine income targets, supporting relationships to achieve those goals.
• Engage companies/businesses in collaborative research projects and identify appropriate funding sources from Innovate UK and others.
• Prospect for new opportunities by networking, attending trade shows and presenting at conferences to generate business.
• Actively use the capability stories and work with partners to promote CHAP in an engaging format such as third‑party references and case studies.
• Plan persuasive approaches and pitches to convince potential clients to do business with CHAP.
• Grow and retain accounts by offering new solutions, services and support where possible.
• Use knowledge of other sector players to identify and develop CHAP’s unique selling propositions and differentiators.
• Work with the marketing team to create bespoke presentations or develop solutions and services that meet or predict clients’ future needs.
• Actively capture and feed back ideas from customers.
• Attend sector functions such as association events and conferences, providing feedback and information on the broader sector.
• Collaborate with technical staff, Innovation Hub Leads and sister agri‑tech centres to meet customer needs and expand use of CHAP’s capabilities.
• Submit regular progress reports to the Commercial Director ensuring data is accurate.
• Negotiate and close business deals, write and submit grants.
• Develop a deep understanding of CHAP capabilities.
• Keep abreast of government developments on agri‑tech to assess potential impact on CHAP business.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of the sector and current market conditions.

Success in Key Account Management/BDM roles:

• Strong bid/grant writing skills.
• Collaborative working style.
• Self‑motivated and target‑driven.
• Comfortable working on own initiative.
• Engaging personality, able to build rapport and effective relationships quickly across a broad spectrum of people, businesses, academics and the public sector.
• Successful collaborative project building and relationship sales/BDM background essential, preferably in the agri‑tech sector.
• A scientific degree; PhD preferred.
• Experience in the sector and an established network of agri‑tech contacts.
• Grant‑winning skills.
• Clean driving licence.