Principal Business Development Manager

We're looking for a Principal Business Development Manager to join WD Interiors, based within our Old Bailey office in central London, with the opportunity of flexible hybrid working.

This is a lead-level role within our business, focused on driving the growth of our private sector workplace and Cat B occupier fit-out portfolio, typically projects valued between £5m and £30m. You'll play a pivotal role in identifying, shaping and securing high-quality opportunities, validating opportunities early and ensuring that the right projects are pursued in line with our strategic objectives.

This role is not about volume bidding; it's about intelligent pre-positioning, strong relationships and disciplined opportunity selection. You'll work closely with our proposals, marketing and operational teams to maximise bid conversion and deliver long-term value.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the delivery of the regional growth strategy for Workplace / Cat B fit-out within WD Interiors.
• Identify and secure major business development opportunities with strong revenue and margin potential.
• Lead market engagement to grow our presence within the private sector occupier market, complementing our existing public-sector experience.
• Cultivate and maintain senior relationships with professional teams (PM, QS, Design), agents and key customers.
• Validate opportunities early by clarifying budget, programme, procurement route, risks and competition before committing resource.
• Act as a trusted advisor to customers, shaping briefs, managing expectations and supporting informed decision-making.
• Lead negotiations and close high-value deals on favourable commercial terms.
• Work closely with the Cat B / Workplace Operational Lead to align business development activity with delivery capability.
• Integrate seamlessly with proposals and marketing teams to improve bid quality and conversion rates.
• Present opportunities, strategies and recommendations to senior leadership and Board-level forums.

Essential Skills:

• 5 - 10+ years' experience in Business Development, New Business or Procurement within the fit-out and interiors sector.
• Strong understanding of workplace / Cat B fit-out procurement, including single-stage, two-stage, D&B and traditional routes.
• Hold existing relationships with PM, QS and Design practices within the London workplace market.
• Excellent commercial acumen, with the ability to assess risk, value and opportunity quality.
• Strong written, presentation and influencing skills, comfortable operating at senior and Board level.
• Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships and challenging conversations.
• Valid UK driving licence.

Desirable Skills:

• Design or Design Management background with a successful transition into business development.
• Degree-qualified (beneficial but not essential).
• Strong storytelling capability to support compelling customer engagement.

About Us:

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.

Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 'Big' Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.