Head of Business Development in Kings Langley

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

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.

Key areas of responsibility:

• 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.
• Develop and commercialise WJ’s water treatment, instrumentation & monitoring (I&M) and professional services offerings alongside the established dewatering and water management business.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Drive improvement in win rates, margin quality and order intake conversion.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Technical understanding of dewatering, water treatment, groundwater control or related geotechnical/environmental services.

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. Uphold WJ’s values and commitment to safety, quality and environmental performance. Promote continuous improvement and a positive, ethical sales culture across the business.