Our client is an ambitious, insight-led consultancy operating at the forefront of the food and drink sector. Combining deep industry expertise, world-class data, and advanced analytical thinking, they help businesses make smarter commercial decisions and stay ahead of market trends. With an international footprint and a highly collaborative culture, our client is known for delivering high impact insight through innovative products, consultancy, and thought leadership. The business offers a modern, flexible working environment and places strong emphasis on learning, growth, and high performance.
The Business Development Manager plays a key role in driving growth across our client’s portfolio. This role focuses on building new partnerships, strengthening existing client relationships, and identifying commercial opportunities across data, insight, and consultancy solutions. Working within a target-driven but supportive team, the role has ownership of the sales pipeline and is instrumental in translating client needs into long-term, value driven partnerships.
Responsibilities
- Build, manage, and grow relationships with new and existing clients, securing renewals and expanding partnerships.
- Own and deliver against individual revenue and upsell targets through a strong, well-managed sales pipeline.
- Generate, nurture, and close opportunities across subscription products, reports, and consultancy offerings.
- Lead regular client check-ins, ensuring clients are informed, engaged, and realising value from solutions.
- Identify and pitch ad hoc consultancy opportunities aligned to client needs and business objectives.
- Develop detailed commercial proposals, translating briefs into clear solutions with defined scope, costs, and timelines.
- Represent the business at conferences, forums, and networking events to build relationships and generate leads.
- Clearly articulate product value through presentations, demos, and tailored recommendations.
- Maintain accurate CRM records and manage leads effectively with high-quality client intelligence.
- Re-engage lapsed clients and support marketing-led initiatives such as report launches, webinars, and events.
Requirements
- Proven experience in business development, sales, or a commercial client-facing role.
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence and build trust.
- Sharp commercial acumen and a clear understanding of how to identify, pitch, and close opportunities.
- Ability to quickly develop deep product knowledge and translate this into meaningful client value.
- Confident communicator with strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple opportunities and deadlines.
- Proactive, driven, and resilient, with a strong focus on achieving results.
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
- Experience using CRM systems and maintaining accurate, high-quality client records.