Business Development Manager – Public Sector / Education focus
Surrey | Permanent | Leadership Role | Hybrid Working
Are you a commercially driven Business Development leader with a proven track record of winning new business in the public sector?
We are partnered with a fast-growing education organisation to appoint an ambitious Business Development Manager who will own, scale, and continuously improve the new business function. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who thrives on pace, data-driven decision-making, and securing strategic client wins.
You will focus nationally on winning new clients across the B2B and B2G landscape, including schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), Local Education Authorities (LEAs), and the wider public sector. You'll be supported by an existing BD Executive and marketing team while leading and shaping the broader growth strategy.
The Role
As Business Development Manager, you will:
Develop and execute a national business development strategy in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team
Identify and secure new partnerships across schools, MATs, LEAs, and public sector bodies
Build and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities through networking, events, outreach campaigns, and marketing initiatives
Engage key decision-makers, including Headteachers, Trust CEOs, Directors of Education, and Local Authority leaders
Lead consultative sales conversations, tailoring proposals to meet specific partner needs
Own and monitor upcoming public sector tenders and framework opportunities
Work closely with an external Bids & Tenders team to secure successful tender submissions
Represent the organisation at education conferences, public sector events, and industry forums
Use impact data, delivery outcomes, and case studies to strengthen credibility in sales discussions
Maintain accurate CRM reporting and use data insights to drive conversion and strategy
Provide weekly pipeline updates and deliver against quarterly revenue and enrolment targets
Lead and develop the wider Business Development team, including Sales Executives and Marketing Coordinators
Partner with the Commercial Director to analyse pipeline and performance data to inform growth decisions
Foster long-term client relationships to drive renewals, referrals, and expanded partnerships
Essential Skills & Experience
Proven experience in Business Development or consultative B2B/B2G sales, ideally within education or the public sector
Demonstrable success selling to schools, MATs, LEAs, or government bodies
Experience navigating UK public sector procurement frameworks and tender processes
Strong commercial acumen and results-driven mindset
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
Confidence engaging senior stakeholders and public sector leaders
Data-driven approach to pipeline management and CRM utilisation
Self-motivated, resilient, and entrepreneurial
Why Join?
Opportunity to shape and lead a growing public sector BD function
High-visibility leadership role with strategic influence
Hybrid working model
Collaborative and mission-driven organisation
Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
Salary is up to £50,000 with a bonus package available (20% of salary in bonus for achieving KPI's).
If you are a strategic Business Development professional with deep public sector expertise and a passion for education, we would love to hear from you.
Contact joel.-
We help organisations elevate their approach to attracting, engaging, and securing exceptional talent on a retained project basis. Our focus is on a detailed recruitment process, following skills and culture fit.