Imperial Recruitment Group
Head of Business Development
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Head of Business Development
Responsible To: Managing Director
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 (depending on experience) plus £5100 car allowance
Location: Hybrid
Job Purpose
To lead and drive the strategic growth of the organisation through the development of apprenticeship, commercial training, and workforce development opportunities within the childcare, health and social care sectors.
The postholder will identify new business opportunities, strengthen existing employer partnerships, maximise apprenticeship levy opportunities, and contribute to the achievement of organisational growth, quality, and financial objectives.
The role will ensure that business development activity aligns with organisational strategy, funding regulations, quality standards, and employer workforce needs.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement the organisation’s business development strategy.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of the organisational strategic plan.
- Identify opportunities for growth within existing and emerging markets.
- Monitor policy, funding and sector developments that may impact organisational growth.
- Provide regular market intelligence and competitor analysis to the Executive Team.
Business Development
- Generate sustainable growth in apprenticeship and commercial training provision.
- Develop and maintain relationships with employers, local authorities, NHS organisations, care providers, childcare providers and other strategic partners.
- Identify and secure new contracts, funding opportunities and partnership arrangements.
- Develop tailored workforce development solutions for employers.
- Lead negotiations with prospective clients and partners.
Apprenticeship Growth
- Maximise apprenticeship levy opportunities.
- Support employers in understanding apprenticeship funding and workforce planning.
- Identify opportunities for levy transfer arrangements.
- Work closely with operational teams to ensure successful learner recruitment and onboarding.
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Commercial Income Generation
- Develop commercial training opportunities that complement apprenticeship provision.
- Identify opportunities for international, consultancy or workforce development activity where appropriate.
- Develop proposals, tenders and business cases.
Relationship Management
- Act as a senior ambassador for the organisation.
- Represent the organisation at networking events, conferences and stakeholder meetings.
- Build productive relationships with key sector bodies and influencers.
Team Leadership
- Lead, motivate and develop the Business Development Team.
- Establish clear performance objectives and KPIs.
- Promote a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
Performance Management
- Monitor performance against recruitment, income and growth targets.
- Produce regular reports and forecasts for the Executive Team and Board.
- Maintain accurate pipeline and CRM records.
- Ensure effective management of employer engagement activity.
Compliance and Quality
- Ensure all business development activity complies with funding rules and organisational policies.
- Work collaboratively with quality and operational teams to ensure growth does not compromise learner experience or outcomes.
- Support the organisation’s preparation for Ofsted inspections and funding audits.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
- Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience in business development within apprenticeships, training, education or workforce development.
- Proven track record of achieving growth and income targets.
- Experience of employer engagement within health and social care and/or childcare sectors.
- Experience of apprenticeship funding and levy systems.
- Experience of developing strategic partnerships.
- Experience of managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Experience of producing reports, forecasts and business plans.
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Essential Knowledge
- Apprenticeship funding rules and compliance requirements.
- Health and social care workforce challenges and opportunities.
- Childcare sector workforce development requirements.
- Ofsted and quality assurance frameworks.
- Employer engagement and account management principles.
- Market analysis and business planning methodologies.
Essential Skills
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills.
- Strong commercial awareness.
- Excellent relationship-building abilities.
- Strategic thinking and planning capability.
- Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
- Data analysis and reporting skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
- Effective leadership and people management skills.
- Ability to identify and convert opportunities into sustainable business growth.
Desirable Qualifications
- Management qualification (ILM Level 5 or above).
- Sales or Business Development qualification.
- Apprenticeship sector qualifications.
Desirable Experience
- Experience within an Ofsted-regulated training provider.
- Experience of public sector procurement and tendering.
- Experience of levy transfer arrangements.
- Experience of international training opportunities.
- Experience within a health and social care provider or childcare organisation.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Apprenticeship starts.
- Employer engagement and retention rates.
- Commercial income generated.
- Apprenticeship levy utilisation.
- Levy transfer income secured.
- Pipeline value and conversion rates.
- Employer satisfaction scores.
- Strategic partnerships established.
- Contribution to organisational growth targets.
- Compliance with funding and quality requirements.
For more information please get in touch with Dan at Imperial Recruitment Group
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