Business Development Manager

Summary:

An exciting opportunity has arisen at my clients for a dynamic, strategically minded Business Development Manager to drive meaningful growth at our company. With a brief spanning the full breadth of our engineering output, the position promises exceptional variety and significant opportunities for professional development.

The successful candidate will be tasked with shaping a robust model for sustainable development alongside senior management, forging lasting relationships with new clients, and identifying new business opportunities to sustain a flow of projects into our Product Development, Motorsport Powertrain Design, and Advanced Technologies divisions, as well as a burgeoning Digital Agency.

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of surrounding industry dynamics with a proven ability to implement effective strategies for generating new client leads and capitalising on broader commercial opportunities. Combining industry research and proactive outreach with attendance at key networking events, our Business Development Manager will perform a pivotal function in the team, becoming a key point of contact between the company and the industries it operates in. The ability to collaborate with our technical, marketing, and finance teams will be essential.

A more integrated example than typical Business Development roles, this position comes with the
opportunity to assume additional Account Management responsibilities. Having onboarded new clients, the successful candidate will work as a liaison for those clients over the course of their relationship with the company, supporting the Chief Engineers in ensuring the successful execution of their projects and promoting opportunities to increase the scope of our involvement.

If successful in the role, there are significant opportunities for personal professional growth within the
company, with promotion prospects to build a new team and lead it as the Chief Business Development Officer.

We offer a dynamic and innovative work environment and, through remote/hybrid working, you will have a place at our facility in Buckinghamshire, 10 miles south of Silverstone.

Responsibilities:

Spearhead Strategic Business Growth:

• Develop and implement strategic plans to drive business growth and achieve company objectives in collaboration with senior management
• Identify and capitalise on new business opportunities, markets, and partnerships
• Continuously analyse market trends, competitor activities, and industry dynamics to inform strategic decisions

Business Development and Networking:

• Proactively seek out new opportunities for business growth
• Identify and pursue partnerships, alliances, and collaborations that align with the company’s strategic goals. (Our client base includes start-ups, SMEs, RTOs, motorsport teams, governmental agencies and departments, or NGOs.)
• Leverage existing industry contacts and build new relationships to expand the company’s network
• Attend industry events, trade shows, and professional associations to identify and engage with potential clients and partners
• Build relationships with regional catalysts and innovation centre
• Develop efficient methods to find and respond to tenders and RFQs across multiple sectors

Industry Knowledge Building:

• Continuously educate yourself on the latest developments in relevant sectors and research industry trends, advancements, and pertinent regulatory changes to provide informed insights to the company
• Build and manage a diverse portfolio of industry contacts

Communication with Business Leaders:

• Self-manage communications with senior management, providing regular updates on business development activities, market conditions, and strategic opportunities
• Prepare and present detailed reports and presentations to inform and influence decision-making

Marketing Strategies and Enhancing External Image:

• Provide feedback and insights on marketing strategies and identify opportunities for improvement
• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and execute targeted marketing campaigns
• Monitor the effectiveness of marketing efforts and adjust strategies as needed
• Build the company’s reputation and visibility within the industry
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and networking functions to build brand awareness and foster relationships

Client Relationship Management:

• Establish and nurture strong relationships with clients during onboarding and throughout their engagement with the companY
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring their needs are met and their expectations are exceeded
• Conduct regular check-ins and follow-ups to maintain client satisfaction and loyalty

Project Coordination and Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal teams, including engineering, marketing, and finance, to ensure seamless project delivery and client satisfaction
• Coordinate with project managers and Chief Engineers to oversee the successful execution of client projects and address any issues that arise

Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• Proven experience in business development in a relevant industry, and a demonstrated track record of generating new business, achieving growth targets, and developing and implementing strategic business growth plans
• Strong understanding of the engineering consultancy industry, including market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory environment
• Proficiency in identifying and capitalising on new business opportunities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong presentation and negotiation abilities
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, with experience in managing client onboarding and ongoing relationships
• Understanding of marketing strategies and ability to provide valuable feedback and insights, with some experience in executing marketing campaigns and measuring their effectiveness
• Strong networking skills with the ability to leverage existing contacts and build new relationships, and experience of active participation in industry events, trade shows, and professional associations
• Proficiency in market research and analysis, with ability to analyse competitor activities and market conditions to inform strategic decision making
• Ability to self-manage communications with business leaders and senior management, maintain accurate records of client interactions, and prepare regular reports on business development activities
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and finance, with readiness to coordinate with project managers to ensure successful project execution
• Ability to respond with creative solutions to meet client needs and business challenges, together with flexibility to adjust strategies and approaches based on changing market conditions