At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development and drive growth in the UK's water management sector.
- Company: Join WJ, the UK's leading water management specialist with over 40 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, private healthcare, gym membership, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water management while influencing strategy and developing your team.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in business development within water or construction sectors.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Workplace type: On-site (with UK travel)
Location: Kings Langley, Hertfordshire
Job type: Full-time
Seniority level: Senior Leadership Team (SLT) appointment
Salary range: £90,000 – £100,000 + company car + private healthcare scheme + gym + performance bonus
Company car: Company car (available for personal use) with a monthly rental value
Pension: Automatically enrolled into the WJ Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme. Contributions are made at 5% for both employee (minimum) and employer (maximum).
Private Healthcare: At six months of service, option to be enrolled into Westfield Health Cash Plan for Specialist Consultations & Diagnostics, Scanning Service (MRI, CT & PET Scans), Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments (Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy and Osteopathy)
Profit Related Bonus: A profit related annual bonus will be payable in December if WJ meets its profit targets
Group Life Insurance: Automatically included in the WJ Death in Service Group Insurance at 3 times salary after 6-month probation period
Gym Membership: Exclusive, discounted access to thousands of gyms, pools and spas with just one pass via our fitness partner, Hussle
This is a senior leadership position with an opportunity to shape the future of our business within the UK's leading water management specialist. You'll be tasked with your own ideas, leadership and vision to grow the sales team and work alongside supportive directors committed to investing in our growth. If you're looking for a role where you can genuinely influence strategy, develop people, embrace new technologies and leave a lasting legacy, we'd like to hear from you. In return, WJ offers an attractive remuneration package, comprehensive benefits, and investment in your professional development.
About WJ
WJ is the UK’s leading water management specialist, the partner and contractor of choice for major construction and infrastructure programmes. Founded by academics and evolved through expertise, we apply scientific principles to solve complex water challenges: over 40 years’ experience and 4,000+ projects worldwide, including the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the London Olympic Park, Crossrail, Tideway, HS2 and currently Sizewell C. Our expanding service lines span dewatering & groundwater control, water treatment, surface water management, I&M, pumping tests, well drilling and professional services which are grounded in engineering, delivered in partnership. Our values of Confidence, Pride, Clarity & Integrity, and Independence guide every decision we make, and our ambitions are big: the AMP8 water sector, defence, energy and infrastructure markets.
About the role
This is a rare opportunity to own the growth agenda of the UK’s leading water management specialist. As Head of Business Development, a Senior Leadership Team appointment reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead our sales function, own the order intake pipeline and marketing remit, and drive our expansion into the AMP8 water sector, defence and public sector frameworks (MRA, DEFRA, EA, NHS), while developing new service lines in water treatment, instrumentation & monitoring and professional services alongside our established dewatering and water management business. Your mandate: make WJ the water management partner of choice, delivering safe, sustainable and economical water management for our customers.
Reports to: Managing Director (Line Manager). Member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
Direct Reports: Sales Manager (who in turn manages two Sales Representatives and one Estimator). eDOC back-office support is provided to the sales team.
Key relationships: Managing Director, Senior Leadership Team, Sales Manager & Sales Team, Estimator, Project Managers, Technical Team, Finance Manager, Operations Manager, Clients, Principal Contractors, Consultants, Framework Bodies & Industry Associations.
What you’ll do
- A proven senior BD track record in water, construction or specialist subcontracting.
- Demonstrable success winning work through frameworks and public sector routes.
- Sales team leadership, commercial rigour and a business/sales qualification.
- M&A exposure is a plus.
What you’ll bring
- A science/engineering degree and proven I&M programme delivery on construction or infrastructure projects.
- Strong groundwater and geotechnical instrumentation knowledge plus telemetry/data systems experience.
- Proven leadership of multi-grade technical teams — you may well be in a similar role today.
- The ambition to grow a service line into a standalone division with its own P&L.
Key areas of responsibility
- Business Development Strategy & Growth: Develop and implement the UK business development strategy in line with WJ’s growth ambitions, covering core markets, new sectors, and new service lines.
- Identify, evaluate and prioritise market opportunities in the AMP8 water sector, defence, and public sector frameworks (MRA, DEFRA, EA, NHS).
- Lead WJ’s positioning on relevant frameworks, alliances and preferred supplier arrangements, including pre-qualification and framework applications.
- Contribute to Senior Leadership Team strategy, planning and decision-making as a full SLT member.
New Markets & Service Line Development: Develop and commercialise WJ’s water treatment, instrumentation & monitoring (I&M) and professional services offerings alongside the established dewatering and water management business. Work with the Technical and Operations teams to define compelling, deliverable propositions for new sectors and services. Monitor market, regulatory and competitor developments to inform service development and pricing strategy. Provide line management and leadership to the Sales Manager, with oversight of the wider sales team (two Sales Representatives and an Estimator reporting to the Sales Manager), supported by eDOC back-office administration. Set clear objectives, targets and development plans for the sales function, building capability, accountability and a high-performance culture. Ensure a consistent, professional sales process from enquiry through to handover to operations.
Key Account & Client Relationship Management: Own and develop relationships with WJ’s key accounts, including major contractors, consultants, framework bodies and repeat clients. Implement structured key account plans to protect and grow revenue from strategic clients. Represent WJ at a senior level with clients, industry bodies and at conferences and events. Own the opportunity pipeline, ensuring accurate qualification, prioritisation and forecasting of all opportunities. Lead bid/no-bid decisions and oversee the preparation of high-quality tenders, proposals and framework submissions in conjunction with sales and technical teams. Drive improvement in win rates, margin quality and order intake conversion.
Marketing, Brand & CRM: Own WJ’s marketing strategy, including brand, digital presence, content, case studies, technical publications and industry events. Ensure the CRM system is embedded, maintained and used to provide reliable management information on pipeline, clients and market activity. Align marketing activity with business development priorities to generate qualified opportunities.
Commercial Targets, Reporting & Governance: Be accountable for annual order intake, pipeline value, win rate and margin quality targets as agreed with the Managing Director. Produce accurate monthly business development reports for the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team, covering pipeline, secured work, key pursuits, and market intelligence. Ensure business development activity complies with WJ’s IMS, commercial governance and ethical standards.
Qualifications & Experience: Proven senior business development track record within the water, construction, civil engineering or specialist subcontracting sectors. Demonstrable experience winning work through frameworks and public sector routes (e.g. AMP programmes, EA, DEFRA, MoD/defence, NHS). Experience leading and developing sales teams, with strong people management and coaching skills. Business, sales or marketing qualification (degree level or equivalent professional qualification). Strong commercial acumen, including pipeline management, bid strategy, pricing and margin awareness. Excellent negotiation, communication and relationship-building skills at senior client level. Experience owning marketing and CRM functions, with strong reporting and forecasting discipline. Full UK Driving Licence. Technical understanding of dewatering, water treatment, groundwater control or related geotechnical/environmental services. Experience of mergers & acquisitions, including target identification, evaluation or integration. Existing network within the AMP8 supply chain, Tier 1 contractors or public sector frameworks. Membership of a relevant professional body.
Working Conditions: Based at WJ’s UK Head Office (Kings Langley) with regular travel to clients, sites, framework meetings and industry events across the UK. Occasional travel to WJ’s yard and project facilities to maintain knowledge of operational capability. Uphold WJ’s values and commitment to safety, quality and environmental performance. Promote continuous improvement and a positive, ethical sales culture across the business. Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role’s seniority and business development function.
Head of Business Development employer: WJ UK
WJ is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work on the UK's flagship nuclear new-build project at Sizewell C. With a strong commitment to employee development, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and gym memberships, WJ fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and collaboration. Employees can expect to grow their careers in a dynamic environment, gaining invaluable experience in high-stakes infrastructure projects while being part of a team that values integrity and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Development
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
If you're aiming for a full-time role in business intelligence, brush up on your skills with popular data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showcasing projects where you've transformed raw data into clear visual insights can give you a real edge.
✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like WJ UK!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Support
If you're a recent graduate, definitely tap into your university's career services. Many have connections with companies in need of full-time BI specialists, and they can guide you on how to pitch yourself effectively—don't miss out on that!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at WJ UK, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at WJ UK
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with WJ UK’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
