Business Development Manager – Sports Construction

Business Development Manager – Sports Construction

Location: Hybrid – office, client sites and UK travel
Salary: Competitive + performance-related bonus
Benefits: Company car or car allowance, private healthcare, pension and professional development

About us:

Build the relationships behind outstanding sporting facilities

Blakedown Sport & Play is one of the UK’s largest and longest-established sports facility construction contractors. For more than 50 years, we have designed, built, refurbished and maintained high-quality sports facilities that help schools, clubs and communities get more people active.

We are now looking for an ambitious and commercially driven Business Development Manager to help us secure new projects, strengthen key client relationships and support the continued growth of our business.

The role

This is a senior, hands-on business development position focused on generating and converting opportunities across the commercial sports construction market.

You will develop relationships with local authorities, schools, universities, sports clubs, developers, architects, consultants and contractors, building a strong pipeline of opportunities for the design, construction and refurbishment of sports facilities.

Working closely with our estimating, technical and marketing teams, you will take opportunities from initial engagement through proposals, tenders, commercial negotiations and contract award.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and developing new business opportunities across the public and private sectors

• Building relationships with clients, consultants, architects, developers and other key decision-makers

• Generating qualified leads through networking, industry events, referrals, research and targeted business development

• Managing a healthy project pipeline from initial enquiry through to contract award

• Preparing and delivering client presentations, proposals and capability statements

• Supporting tender submissions and working with estimating and technical colleagues to develop competitive solutions

• Leading commercial negotiations and supporting contract discussions

• Developing existing accounts and identifying opportunities for repeat business, frameworks and maintenance contracts

• Monitoring market trends, emerging opportunities and competitor activity

• Maintaining accurate CRM records, sales forecasts and pipeline reports

• Representing Blakedown Sport & Play at exhibitions, conferences, sporting events and networking functions

What we are looking for

You will be an experienced business development or sales professional with a strong track record of winning work within construction or a related project-led industry.

You should have:

• Proven business development or sales experience within construction, civil engineering, sports infrastructure or a closely related sector

• A demonstrable record of generating leads and converting them into profitable new business

• Experience managing complex sales cycles and high-value projects

• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation and influencing skills

• Strong commercial awareness and a good understanding of project margins and profitability

• The confidence to present to clients and engage with senior decision-makers

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied pipeline

• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel

Experience within sports surfaces, landscaping, playgrounds, leisure facilities or specialist construction would be particularly valuable. Knowledge of public-sector procurement, tender frameworks or facilities such as artificial pitches, athletics tracks, tennis and padel courts, MUGAs and playgrounds would also be advantageous.

The person

We are looking for someone proactive, credible and results-focused who can combine strategic thinking with the energy to develop opportunities personally.

You will be a confident networker, a persuasive communicator and a collaborative colleague who takes pride in delivering an excellent experience for clients.

Salary and benefits

We offer:

• Competitive salary 

• Performance-related bonus

• Company car or car allowance

• Private healthcare

• Pension scheme

• Ongoing professional development

• Genuine career progression within one of the UK’s leading sports construction businesses

This is an opportunity to play an influential role in the growth of an established contractor while helping to deliver sporting facilities that make a lasting difference to schools, clubs and communities across the UK.