Business Development Associate

THE ROLE

At Debenhams Group, we are on a journey of transformation, revitalising our brand, culture, and connection with colleagues and customers alike. In a fast-changing retail environment, effective and authentic communication is vital to building trust, aligning our teams, and amplifying the impact of our work across internal and external audiences.

We are looking to hire an ambitious and energetic Business Development Associate to join the Marketplace team and help us expand our partner portfolio. You will be joining a growing Community Development function focused on growing and scaling our partner portfolio across all categories across the Group brands.

You will be the front of the company and have the dedication and passion to build and develop strong relationships with partners. You will be identifying, onboarding and supporting new sellers onto Debenhams Group brands, helping them launch successfully and setting them up for long-term success. The team's mission is to make Brand partners successful across Debenhams Group brands and for us to be the Brand partner of choice.

You will report directly to the Senior Business Development Manager and play a key role in supporting the continued growth of our brand portfolio across the Group brands.

This role will be based out of our central Manchester office.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Identify and engage prospective brand partners through outbound outreach, promoting the Debenhams Group marketplace proposition and supporting the acquisition of new sellers.
• Manage the sales pipeline, ensuring accurate records, timely follow-ups and clear visibility of partner progress.
• Build and develop strong relationships with prospective partners, acting as a key point of contact throughout the sales process.
• Work closely with the Onboarding teams to ensure a seamless handover of newly signed partners and support a successful launch.
• Ensure all onboarding requirements are completed accurately prior to handover and in line with business requirements.
• Produce pipeline, sales and performance analysis to support reporting, business decisions and category growth.
• Represent Debenhams Group at trade shows, industry events and partner meetings, generating new business opportunities and promoting the marketplace proposition.
• Deliver an exceptional partner experience by maintaining regular communication, providing timely updates and supporting partners throughout the acquisition journey.