Business Development Manager – Science Apprenticeships

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Job Title: Business Development Manager – Science Apprenticeships

Location: Home Based (with travel to clients and industry events as required)
Salary: £39,000 - £45,000

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Business Development Manager – Science Apprenticeships to lead employer engagement and drive new business growth across the science, laboratory and technical sectors.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the science sector and/or apprenticeship market, with proven experience in business development, sales or employer engagement. We are particularly interested in candidates with a science sales background, apprenticeship sales background, or a combination of science and apprenticeship experience.

This role will focus on identifying and securing new employer partnerships across organisations such as pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology businesses, laboratories, healthcare and diagnostics organisations, environmental companies, research organisations, manufacturing businesses and other science-based employers.

The role combines strategic business development with hands-on sales activity and a level of team leadership and performance management. You will be responsible for growing the employer base, developing senior relationships and positioning science apprenticeships as a strategic solution to skills shortages, talent development and workforce planning.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth

• Develop and implement a proactive business development strategy focused on science, laboratory and technical sectors.
• Identify, target and secure new employer partnerships across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, healthcare, diagnostics, environmental, research and related science industries.
• Build and manage a strong new-business pipeline from prospecting through to employer onboarding.
• Generate new business through prospecting, networking, referrals, industry events and existing networks.
• Promote science apprenticeships as solutions to employer skills gaps, recruitment challenges and workforce development needs.
• Achieve monthly, quarterly and annual targets for employer sign-ups, apprenticeship starts and revenue.
• Build relationships with senior decision-makers and lead employer needs analysis, solution development and commercial negotiations.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing employer relationships and increase apprenticeship uptake.

Science Sector & Employer Engagement

• Maintain strong knowledge of the science apprenticeship landscape, workforce challenges, funding and skills requirements.
• Engage employers to understand technical skills shortages, recruitment challenges and future workforce requirements.
• Communicate the commercial and workforce-development benefits of science apprenticeships, including levy, non-levy funding and levy transfer opportunities.
• Build and maintain a strong network across the science and technical employment market.
• Represent the organisation at science industry events, employer forums, conferences and networking activities.

Team Leadership & Management

• Support, coach and develop the wider Business Development team, including Business Development Executives.
• Monitor individual and team performance against KPIs, supporting pipeline reviews, forecasting and sales planning.
• Share sector knowledge, market intelligence and effective sales approaches across the team.
• Establish effective prospecting, pipeline management and employer engagement processes.
• Work with senior management to identify new markets, sectors and commercial opportunities.

CRM, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate CRM records and ensure opportunities progress effectively through the sales pipeline.
• Monitor pipeline value, conversion rates, employer engagement and sales performance.
• Produce regular sales reports, forecasts and performance updates for senior management.
• Work closely with delivery, compliance, learner engagement and operations teams to ensure smooth employer onboarding.
• Ensure employer documentation and processes meet relevant apprenticeship funding and regulatory requirements.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in business development, B2B sales, technical sales or employer engagement, ideally within science, apprenticeships or training. With Strong consultative selling, negotiation, influencing, closing and relationship-building skills
• Strong understanding of science-based businesses, technical environments or laboratory organisations.
• Demonstrable track record of generating new business, managing pipelines and achieving commercial targets.
• Confident engaging senior stakeholders with strong commercial awareness and a results-driven approach.

Apprenticeship Knowledge

• Understanding of the UK apprenticeship system, including levy and non-levy funding, employer requirements and compliance.

Desirable

• Experience with a science training/apprenticeship provider, FE organisation or science-based employer, plus relevant sector networks.
• Experience managing or coaching sales/business development professionals and knowledge of science apprenticeship standards.

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to  keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.