Business Development Manager - Apprenticeships & Skills

DE1, Derby, Derbyshire S Knights Recruitment Business Development Manager - Apprenticeships & Skills Location: East Midlands (Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham) Salary: £35,000 – £40,000 per annum Job Type: Full-time | Permanent The Opportunity Are you an experienced Business Development Manager, Employer Engagement Manager, Apprenticeship Sales Manager or Training Sales professional with a strong background in the UK Apprenticeships and Skills sector? This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing training provider and take ownership of employer engagement and new business development across the Midlands. You’ll be responsible for identifying new opportunities, building relationships with employers and promoting Apprenticeships, Adult Skills, Employability and workforce development solutions that address real business skills needs. If you’re commercially driven, confident engaging senior stakeholders and enjoy winning new business, this role offers an excellent opportunity to make a genuine impact. About the Organisation You’ll be joining an established training provider delivering Apprenticeships, Adult Skills, Employability and workforce development programmes to employers across a range of sectors. The organisation works closely with employers to understand their skills requirements and connect them with appropriate training and apprenticeship solutions. This is a collaborative environment where employer engagement, learner outcomes and business growth are closely aligned. The Role As Business Development Manager, you’ll take responsibility for developing new employer relationships and growing commercial opportunities across the East and West Midlands. You’ll operate across the full business development cycle, from identifying and qualifying prospects through to developing relationships and converting opportunities into successful partnerships. Key responsibilities include: * Generate new business opportunities through proactive prospecting, networking and employer engagement. * Build strong relationships with employers, decision-makers and key stakeholders across the region. * Promote Apprenticeships, Adult Skills, Employability and workforce development programmes. * Understand employer skills requirements and identify appropriate training solutions. * Manage a regional sales pipeline and consistently develop new opportunities. * Conduct meetings and presentations with prospective employer partners. * Convert qualified opportunities into new employer partnerships and apprenticeship starts. * Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasts and business development activity. * Work closely with internal delivery and learner engagement teams to ensure a smooth employer journey. * Monitor market developments, funding changes and opportunities within the Apprenticeships and Skills sector. The Ideal Candidate We’re looking for a commercially focused Business Development Manager, Employer Engagement Manager, Apprenticeship Sales Consultant, Training Sales Manager or Employer Partnerships professional with a proven track record of generating new business. You will ideally have: * Proven experience in B2B business development, employer engagement or sales. * Experience selling Apprenticeships, training, qualifications or workforce development solutions. * Strong understanding of the UK Apprenticeships and Skills sector. * Knowledge of employer-funded and government-funded training, Apprenticeship Levy or relevant funding models. * A proven track record of achieving sales, revenue or apprenticeship-start targets. * Excellent consultative selling, negotiation and relationship-building skills. * Confidence engaging business owners, senior managers and key decision-makers. * Strong pipeline management and CRM experience. * A self-motivated, target-driven and commercially aware approach. * Existing employer relationships across the Midlands would be advantageous. Why Apply? * £35,000 – £40,000 salary. * Permanent opportunity within the Apprenticeships and Skills sector. * Opportunity to take ownership of a regional employer pipeline. * Work across Apprenticeships, Adult Skills, Employability and workforce development. * Build and develop long-term employer partnerships. * Opportunity to contribute directly to business growth and learner outcomes. * Genuine opportunity for professional development within a growing training organisation. Apply Now If you’re an experienced Business Development Manager, Employer Engagement Manager, Apprenticeship Sales professional or Training Sales professional looking for your next opportunity within the Apprenticeships and Skills sector, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to take the next step in your career and play a key role in developing employer partnerships and driving growth across the Midlands