Head of Business Development

Head of Business Development

£65,000 - £70,000 | Leicester | Hybrid working

Shape the next generation of commercial growth

We are partnering with an established, commercially focused organisation to appoint an imaginative and commercially astute Head of Business Development to lead its next phase of growth.

This is an unusual opportunity to combine the pace, creativity and commercial focus of business development with the purpose, collaboration and benefits of a public-sector-owned organisation.

The organisation has strong foundations and an established customer base, alongside a growing portfolio of commercial activity across education, international markets, private-sector trading and strategic partnerships.

The next Head of Business Development will build on this platform while asking a bigger question: where should the organisation grow next?

You will identify new markets, partnerships and propositions, assess their commercial potential and lead the strongest opportunities from initial idea through to implementation.

The role

Reporting to the Director of Business Development & Growth, you will lead a team of approximately six colleagues and operate as a senior leader within the organisation.

Your first priority will be to develop a clear strategy for growth and start turning it into action.

You will:

• Identify and evaluate new markets, customer groups, strategic partnerships and routes to market.
• Develop business cases and commercial models, prioritising opportunities with the greatest potential for sustainable growth.
• Strengthen existing commercial channels while developing new propositions and revenue streams.
• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary business development team.
• Own budgets, forecasts, pipeline quality and reporting across the function.
• Build senior relationships with customers, businesses, trade associations and strategic partners.
• Support major bids, commercial projects and potential acquisition opportunities.
• Use customer insight, CRM data and market intelligence to inform commercial decisions.
• Work collaboratively across Marketing, Sales, Product, Procurement, Operations, IT, Finance and the wider Leadership Team.

This is not simply about generating ideas. You will need the commercial judgement to determine which opportunities are worth pursuing, build the evidence and business case behind them and then bring colleagues together to turn those opportunities into sustainable growth.

About you

You will bring strong business development or commercial experience and the judgement to distinguish an interesting idea from a viable growth opportunity.

You may already lead a business development function, or you could be an accomplished Business Development Manager, Commercial Manager or Sales Leader ready to step into broader strategic ownership.

You do not need a public sector background.

We are more interested in your ability to create and implement growth plans, develop propositions, build influential relationships, lead people and use insight, CRM and commercial analysis to make sound decisions.

You will be:

• Commercially curious and naturally interested in where the next opportunity could come from.
• Creative, but disciplined enough to test ideas and understand return on investment.
• An influential relationship builder who can operate confidently with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• A supportive and credible people leader.
• Comfortable moving between strategy and hands-on delivery.
• Prepared to challenge conventional thinking and explore new markets.
• Motivated by the opportunity to deliver commercial growth within a purpose-led organisation.

Above all, we are looking for someone who enjoys building. Someone who can look at an established organisation with strong capabilities and ask "where else could we take this?", before creating the strategy and relationships to make it happen.

Why consider this opportunity?

• A highly visible senior role with genuine scope to shape commercial strategy.
• An established platform from which to develop new markets and propositions.
• A role with significant freedom to explore new ideas and partnerships.
• Hybrid working, normally requiring around two office days each week.
• Access to an incredible Pension Scheme and a competitive wider benefits package.
• A supportive, values-led working environment with a strong commitment to employee development.
• The opportunity to combine commercial ambition with genuine public purpose.
• Occasional UK and international travel, providing exposure to a diverse range of markets, customers and partners.

To apply

This search is being managed exclusively by Adecco.

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement outlining your most relevant commercial achievements and experience to

The employer is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and will make reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates throughout the recruitment process.