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Business Development Manager
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Business Development Manager
đź“ŤLocation: Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
🏢Industry: Education
đź’ĽWork Setting: Full Time (Hybrid)
Are you a results-driven business development professional with experience building strategic partnerships and driving student recruitment growth? We are seeking a Business Development Manager to expand and manage a network of student recruitment agencies, educational partners, and training providers. This role is responsible for generating new partnership opportunities, increasing student enrollments, supporting recruitment targets across multiple UK locations, and strengthening relationships with stakeholders to drive sustainable business growth.
The ideal candidate combines expertise in business development, partnership management, student recruitment, channel sales, stakeholder engagement, market analysis, and team leadership with strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
Key Responsibilities
Partnership Development & Channel Expansion
- Identify, evaluate, and establish partnerships with:
- Student Recruitment Agencies
- Education Consultants
- Training Providers
- Academic Institutions
- International Recruitment Partners
- Expand the organization's recruitment network.
- Develop strategies to increase student acquisition through partner channels.
- Build a sustainable pipeline of new partnership opportunities.
Student Recruitment & Enrollment Growth
- Support achievement of student recruitment targets for each intake period.
- Drive recruitment performance across assigned partnerships.
- Monitor partner performance and enrollment outcomes.
- Implement initiatives that maximize student conversion and enrollment rates.
- Support growth objectives across all UK locations.
Relationship Management
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with:
- Recruitment Partners
- Education Agents
- Internal Stakeholders
- Prospective Customers
- Academic Teams
- Serve as the primary contact for key partners.
- Ensure high levels of partner engagement and satisfaction.
- Foster long-term strategic partnerships.
Partner Training & Development
- Deliver onboarding and training programs for recruitment partners.
- Educate partners on:
- Programs Offered
- Admission Requirements
- Recruitment Processes
- Market Positioning
- Enrollment Procedures
- Support partners in achieving recruitment success.
- Maintain consistent communication and partner enablement.
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Market Research & Business Intelligence
- Conduct market research to identify:
- New Business Opportunities
- Emerging Recruitment Markets
- Competitive Trends
- Industry Developments
- Develop insights that support strategic growth initiatives.
- Monitor competitor activities and market positioning.
- Recommend improvements to recruitment and partnership strategies.
Business Development Strategy
- Collaborate with senior leadership to identify growth opportunities.
- Develop business development plans aligned with organizational objectives.
- Evaluate potential markets, partnerships, and expansion initiatives.
- Contribute to revenue growth and organizational success.
- Support long-term strategic planning.
Sales & Commercial Negotiations
- Present programs and services to prospective partners.
- Conduct business meetings and recruitment presentations.
- Negotiate partnership agreements and commercial arrangements.
- Build mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Drive successful closure of new business opportunities.
Team Support & Leadership
- Assist in recruiting, training, and mentoring business development personnel.
- Support team members in achieving recruitment and enrollment goals.
- Share best practices and market insights.
- Contribute to a collaborative and high-performance team culture.
- Support continuous professional development initiatives.
Customer Feedback & Performance Analysis
- Analyze customer and partner feedback.
- Measure satisfaction levels and identify improvement opportunities.
- Develop recommendations to improve partner experience.
- Monitor recruitment effectiveness and performance metrics.
- Support data-driven decision-making processes.
Financial & Commercial Analysis
- Analyze business and financial performance data.
- Identify opportunities to:
- Improve Profitability
- Reduce Costs
- Increase Recruitment Efficiency
- Improve Partner Productivity
- Support business planning and forecasting activities.
- Contribute to sustainable business growth.
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Qualifications
Education
Required
Bachelor's Degree in:
- Business Management
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- Finance
- Accounting
- Related Field
Experience
Required
Proven experience as a:
- Business Development Manager
- Partnership Manager
- Student Recruitment Manager
- Education Sales Manager
- Channel Development Manager
- Similar Commercial Role
Experience achieving business growth and recruitment targets.
Experience developing external partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
Skills & Competencies
Business Development
Partnership Development
Channel Management
Market Expansion
Lead Generation
Strategic Planning
Student Recruitment
Enrollment Growth
Education Partnerships
Recruitment Strategy
Agent Management
International Student Recruitment
Commercial Skills
- Negotiation
- Contract Discussions
- Revenue Growth
- Business Analysis
- Sales Strategy
Communication & Leadership - Stakeholder Management
- Presentation Skills
- Relationship Building
- Team Development
- Executive Communication
Analytical Skills - Market Research
- Financial Analysis
- Performance Monitoring
- Problem Solving
- Data Interpretation
Technology - Microsoft Office Suite
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel as required.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- High attention to detail.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
- Strong business and commercial acumen.
Core Competencies
- Business Development
- Student Recruitment
- Partnership Management
- Education Sales
- Channel Development
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Enrollment Growth
- Market Research
- Negotiation
- Relationship Management
- Strategic Planning
- Team Leadership
- Financial Analysis
- Customer Satisfaction
- Business Growth
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