SOCOTEC UK & Ireland
Business Development Manager

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Company Description
About Infrastructure
SOCOTEC’s Infrastructure team delivers essential technical services that ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of major construction and civil engineering projects across the UK. We provide independent construction materials testing to verify strength, durability, and performance of key materials; foundations and pile testing to confirm ground stability; specialist structures and pavements assessment and analysis; and integrated geotechnical and structural monitoring that delivers real-time data throughout project lifecycles. Our experts use industry-leading methods and advanced technology to support infrastructure projects from initial site investigation through construction and long-term performance, helping clients manage risk, meet regulatory standards, and build safer, more resilient assets.
What's in it for you?
Your expertise deserves recognition. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday (with the option to buy more), an electric car scheme (where applicable), employee recognition programmes, family-friendly support, exclusive retail discounts, employee assistance programmes, and an enhanced company pension. SOCOTEC UK & Ireland are proud to be Disability Confident accredited.
Job Description
Are you an experienced business development professional with a strong understanding of the UK infrastructure and construction market? This could be your opportunity to join SOCOTEC as a Business Development Manager within our Infrastructure Division, playing a key role in supporting our continued growth across some of the UK's most important infrastructure and construction projects.
As SOCOTEC grows, so do our teams. We are looking for an ambitious, commercially focused, and proactive Business Development Manager to identify, develop, and secure new opportunities across our Infrastructure Division.
SOCOTEC's Infrastructure Division brings together specialist capabilities across Ground Investigation, Foundations Testing, Geotechnical & Structural Monitoring, Structures & Pavements, and Construction Materials Testing, providing technical services throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure and construction projects.
You will be responsible for maintaining and developing relationships with clients and prospective clients across key infrastructure markets, identifying opportunities where SOCOTEC's technical expertise can add value, and converting those opportunities into profitable, sustainable revenue.
The Role
The overall objective of the role is to grow SOCOTEC's Infrastructure client base and revenue through delivery of an agreed individual sales target, comprising both growth from existing clients and new business development.
Individual targets will be agreed annually in line with the Infrastructure Division's budget, strategic growth priorities, and target markets.
You will develop and lead a structured business development programme to identify, qualify, and close high-quality sales opportunities. A key part of the role will be understanding clients' wider project requirements and identifying opportunities to introduce multiple SOCOTEC Infrastructure services rather than focusing on individual service lines in isolation.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
You will develop profitable revenue through:
- Building and managing a targeted pipeline of new business opportunities.
- Developing strategic relationships with major contractors, infrastructure owners, consultants, developers, and other key organisations.
- Identifying upcoming projects, frameworks, and investment programmes where SOCOTEC can provide infrastructure services.
- Converting incoming enquiries and referrals into profitable opportunities.
- Developing and delivering account and prospect plans for strategically important clients.
- Leading face-to-face and remote client meetings, presentations, and technical-commercial discussions.
- Identifying opportunities to cross-sell services across the Infrastructure Division and wider SOCOTEC UK business.
- Working with operational and technical teams to develop compelling client solutions.
- Supporting major bids, tenders, and framework submissions.
- Attending relevant industry conferences, exhibitions, and networking events to generate opportunities and strengthen SOCOTEC's market presence.
- Maintaining an accurate and appropriately qualified sales pipeline and providing clear forecasting of future revenue.
SOCOTEC Infrastructure Services
You will develop sufficient commercial and technical understanding of SOCOTEC's Infrastructure capabilities to identify client requirements and connect clients with the appropriate technical specialists.
These include but are not limited to:
- Ground Investigation
- Geotechnical consultancy and testing
- Foundation and pile testing
- Geotechnical and structural monitoring
- Structural investigations
- Pavement investigations and testing
- Highways surveys
- Construction Materials Testing
- Specialist infrastructure testing and investigation services
You will not be expected to act as the technical expert for every service. However, you will be expected to understand our capabilities sufficiently to identify opportunities, understand client challenges, and bring the appropriate SOCOTEC technical specialists into the sales process.
Qualifications
What We Are Looking For
To be successful as a Business Development Manager – Infrastructure, you should be able to demonstrate:
- A proven track record of business development and sales growth within infrastructure, civil engineering, construction, engineering consultancy, testing, inspection, or a related technical services environment.
- A strong understanding of the UK construction and infrastructure market.
- Experience developing relationships with major contractors, consultants, asset owners, or infrastructure organisations.
- A demonstrable ability to build, manage, and convert a high-quality sales pipeline.
- Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of margin, revenue, risk, and contractual considerations.
- The ability to identify client requirements and translate them into commercially viable solutions.
- Strong networking, relationship-building, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Confidence engaging with senior client stakeholders and decision-makers.
- Experience working collaboratively with technical and operational teams.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- A structured and disciplined approach to CRM, opportunity management, and forecasting.
- Tenacity, resilience, and the ability to proactively create opportunities rather than relying solely on inbound enquiries.
- The ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a wider national sales and operational team.
- A full UK driving licence.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
The Person
We are looking for someone who is ambitious, tenacious, resilient, and professional, with the confidence to open doors and the commercial discipline to turn relationships into profitable long-term business.
You will be comfortable developing new relationships from scratch while also recognising the significant opportunity available through SOCOTEC's existing client base.
Most importantly, you will take a client-led rather than service-led approach: understanding the client's project, challenges, and future programme before determining which SOCOTEC capabilities can best support them.
This is a client-facing role and will involve regular travel throughout the UK, with occasional overnight stays where required.
Additional Information
Why SOCOTEC?
Join a thriving community of over 2,000 industry professionals who are passionate about making a real difference. At SOCOTEC UK, we're not just delivering services - we're shaping the future of testing, inspection, and certification across the nation.
What sets us apart? Our people. We've built our reputation on attracting exceptional talent like you and empowering them to deliver excellence at every turn. Our comprehensive range of TIC services means you'll have the opportunity to work on diverse, challenging projects that truly matter.
In this role, you won't just be another employee - you'll be a key player in our continued success story. Your expertise will directly contribute to our mission of building a safer, more sustainable world, while you grow your career alongside some of the industry's finest professionals.
Your Career, Your Way
Build a traditional career path or explore opportunities across multiple disciplines - all within SOCOTEC. Your choice, your direction.
Work Your Way
Local, national, or global projects. Office-based, remote, or hybrid. We offer the flexibility that empowers you to perform at your best.
Committed to Your Growth
From day one, you'll have access to comprehensive training, mentorship, and development programs. We support every step of your professional journey. #YouGrowWeGrow
Think you've got what it takes to add value to our success? We would love to hear from you and look forward to receiving your application.
Building a safer and more sustainable world is the core mission we set out to achieve at SOCOTEC; it is at the heart of everything that we do. We are committed to acting as a key player in society, investing in innovative solutions to ensure social and environmental concerns are at the forefront of all of our business operations.
Department: MOH-GEN - Infrastructure Overhead
Business Unit: Overheads
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location