Business Development Manager – Commercial Grounds & Soft FM
Location: M4 Corridor (Hybrid & Field-Based)
Territory: Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 base (DOE) + commission + company car
Business Overview:
We are partnered with a well established, privately owned facilities services provider with a strong operational footprint across the South of England. The business specialises in commercial grounds maintenance, arboriculture, and winter services, delivering contracts to a loyal and diverse client base.
With several hundred permanent staff and a wider seasonal workforce, the company has built its reputation on service delivery, long term client relationships, and consistent contract retention, rather than volume driven sales.
Following the departure of a long standing Business Development Manager, the business is now looking to strengthen its commercial sales capability with a relationship-led, credible BDM who understands the commercial property landscape.
The Role:
This is a new business focused Business Development role, selling commercial soft FM services only. The focus is on developing and converting opportunities across:
* Grounds maintenance
* Arboriculture
* Winter services
This role is suited to someone who enjoys opening doors, building trust, and developing a sustainable pipeline, rather than hard selling or transactional wins.
Key Responsibilities
* Identify and win new commercial contracts across:
* Managing agents
* Business and industrial parks
* Leisure parks
* Schools, colleges, and care homes
* Build long-term relationships with decision-makers and property stakeholders
* Manage the full sales process from initial enquiry through to contract award and handover
* Balance quick-turn opportunities with longer-term pipeline development
* Leverage existing relationships while actively opening new accounts
* Work closely with operational teams to ensure realistic, deliverable solutions
* Attend client meetings and Teams calls as a trusted commercial representative
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
* Minimum 3 years’ experience in business development or sales within commercial soft FM.
* Strong exposure to grounds maintenance and/or winter services or experience selling adjacent soft services (e.g. cleaning or security) into the same commercial client base.
* Proven credibility selling into commercial environments
* Existing or prior relationships within the commercial property sector
* Consultative, soft-sell approach with strong stakeholder management skills
* Comfortable managing varied sales cycles and complex buying processes
* Demonstrated ability to open doors and develop repeat business
* Full UK driving licence
Salary Guidance (Indicative)
* Junior BDM (3+ years, soft services): £35,000–£40,000
* Experienced Soft FM BDM: circa £50,000
* Grounds Maintenance / Winter Services Specialist: up to £60,000
* (Salary dependent on sector alignment, credibility, and existing relationships.)
Why This Opportunity?
* Join a stable, privately owned business with long-term clients and strong retention
* Defined territory with an established service offering
* Relationship-led sales culture with realistic targets
* Opportunity to inherit and develop an existing commercial footprint
* High level of autonomy with operational support behind you
📩 To apply or learn more, please contact Sarah at Sarah@ark-recruitment.com