EM Tuition is a non‑profit organisation committed to supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) by providing specialised educational services. Partnering with county councils across Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Staffordshire, Essex, Worcestershire and more, we create inclusive learning environments through alternative provisions. Our innovative, child‑centered team of skilled tutors tailors education to meet each student's unique needs. Rooted in values such as equality, integrity, quality, and passion, EM Tuition is dedicated to fostering academic and personal growth for students. Join us as we work to transform the educational experience for children with SEN.
Job Purpose
The Senior Strategic Business Development Manager will play a central role in shaping and delivering EM Tuition’s next phase of growth.
This role is responsible for leading business development strategy, securing new contracts through high‑quality bids and tenders, and building a strong, sustainable pipeline of opportunities.
In addition, the role will hold accountability for recruitment performance and workforce planning, ensuring the organisation has the capacity, capability, and structure required to deliver growth effectively.
This is a senior, cross‑functional leadership role, requiring the ability to operate strategically while translating plans into delivery, working closely with the Founder and leadership team to align growth, recruitment, and delivery.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Growth Leadership
* Develop and implement a clear, data‑informed growth strategy aligned with organisational priorities
* Translate organisational vision into actionable growth plans with defined targets and milestones
* Identify and evaluate new market opportunities across Local Authorities, schools, and alternative provision sectors
* Lead the exploration and development of new delivery models (e.g. tuition centres, school and other partnerships, virtual provision)
* Ensure all growth activity is sustainable, scalable, and aligned with organisational capacity and quality standards
2. Business Development, Bids & Tenders
* Lead the end‑to‑end bid and tender process, from opportunity identification to submission and feedback review
* Establish a structured and proactive approach to tender tracking, planning, and submission
* Produce and oversee high‑quality, compelling bid content that reflects organisational strengths and impact
* Coordinate input from across teams (operations, contracts, safeguarding, etc.) to ensure accuracy and quality
* Continuously review and improve bid performance, implementing learning to increase success rates
* Maintain awareness of commissioning trends, procurement frameworks, and funding opportunities
* Lead on funding opportunities
* Build, manage, and maintain a robust and forward‑looking pipeline of opportunities
* Develop systems and processes to ensure pipeline visibility, tracking, and accountability
* Monitor pipeline progression from early engagement through to conversion
* Provide regular reporting and insight into senior leadership on pipeline health, risks, and opportunities
* Ensure a balanced pipeline that supports both short‑term wins and long‑term growth
* Lead the conversion of opportunities into secured contracts and partnerships
* Support negotiation and contract finalisation where required
* Work closely with operational and contracts teams to ensure effective mobilisation of new contracts
* Ensure a smooth and structured transition from business development to delivery
* Support early‑stage relationship management to embed new partnerships successfully
5. Recruitment Leadership & Workforce Planning
* Line manage the Growth & Recruitment Manager role setting clear targets, monitoring performance, and ensuring accountability for delivery
* Develop and implement workforce planning processes linked to pipeline forecasting and secured contracts
* Oversee recruitment activity to ensure alignment with growth targets and operational demand
* Monitor recruitment performance, identifying gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement
* Ensure recruitment processes are efficient, scalable, and capable of supporting growth
* Introduce structure, reporting, and accountability into recruitment activity
* Ensure the organisation maintains a high‑quality tutor workforce aligned with delivery needs
6. Cross‑Functional Leadership & Alignment
* Work closely with the Contracts Director, Operations Director, and wider leadership team
* Ensure alignment between growth strategy, recruitment capacity, and operational delivery
* Break down silos and improve communication across teams
* Provide leadership, direction, and coordination across growth‑related functions
* Contribute to wider organisational strategy, planning, and decision‑making
7. Performance Management & Reporting
* Define and track key performance indicators across growth and recruitment
* Monitor pipeline value, bid success rates, contract wins, and recruitment performance
* Provide regular, data‑driven reports to senior leadership
* Identify underperformance or risks and implement corrective actions
* Drive a culture of continuous improvement and accountability
Key Outcomes / Success Measures
* Consistent growth in contract value and number of partnerships secured
* A strong, well‑managed, and visible pipeline of opportunities
* Improved bid success rates and quality of submissions
* Recruitment capacity that consistently meets organisational demand
* Efficient, scalable recruitment processes
* Clear alignment between growth, recruitment, and delivery
* Sustainable, long‑term organisational growth
Person Specification
Experience
* Significant experience in business development, strategic growth, or similar senior roles
* Proven track record of leading successful bids and tenders, ideally within education or the public sector
* Experience managing or overseeing recruitment or workforce planning functions
* Experience working within a scaling or high‑growth organisation
* Experience engaging with Local Authorities or commissioned services (desirable but strongly preferred)
Skills & Knowledge
* Strong bid writing and proposal development expertise
* Excellent commercial awareness, with the ability to assess viability, risk, and return
* Strategic thinking combined with strong delivery capability
* Advanced planning, forecasting, and organisational skills
* Strong understanding of recruitment processes and workforce planning
* Ability to interpret data and translate insight into action
Leadership & Communication
* Proven ability to influence and work effectively with senior stakeholders
* Experience leading or overseeing cross‑functional teams
* Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
* Ability to bring structure, clarity, and direction in a growing organisation
* Confident decision‑maker with sound judgement
Personal Attributes
* Highly proactive, self‑motivated, and accountable
* Resilient and adaptable in a fast‑paced environment
* Solutions‑focused with a strong growth mindset
* High attention to detail and commitment to quality
* Strong sense of ownership and responsibility
* Knowledge of alternative provision or SEND education
* Experience scaling recruitment in line with organisational growth
* Familiarity with public sector procurement frameworks
* Experience introducing systems, processes, or structure into growing teams
#J-18808-Ljbffr