National Business Development Manager

National Business Development Manager – Utilities & Arboriculture

Location: UK Wide / Hybrid
Salary: BDM - £60k-£70k for this role. On target commission is £17k. Plus car allowance of £5k, or company car (EV), pension etc
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Coverage: National

Example Recruitment Group is delighted to be working with an established and ambitious service provider that is looking to appoint an experienced Business Development Manager to support its continued growth across the Utilities, Arboriculture and Vegetation Management sectors.

This is a strategic national position focused on identifying, developing and securing new contract opportunities with utility providers, infrastructure organisations, local authorities and other major clients requiring specialist arboricultural and vegetation management services.

The successful candidate will work closely with operational, estimating and bid teams, taking opportunities from initial engagement through tender and ultimately to contract award. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced business developer who understands service-led contract sales and can build strong, long-term relationships with senior decision-makers.

The Role

As Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing a national business development strategy across the Utilities and Arboriculture sectors.
• Identifying and securing new contract opportunities aligned with the company's growth plans.
• Building and maintaining a strong qualified pipeline of opportunities, with a target pipeline exceeding £20m.
• Generating new business through direct engagement, strategic relationships, frameworks and formal tender opportunities.
• Targeting significant service contracts, typically valued from £500k to £1m+ per annum.
• Developing routes to market through procurement frameworks, partnerships and direct client engagement.
• Building relationships with senior stakeholders across utility companies, Tier 1 contractors, local authorities and public-sector organisations.

Bids & Tender Management

A key part of the position will be supporting and leading major tender opportunities. Responsibilities will include:

• Leading opportunities from initial qualification through to contract award.
• Working alongside bid managers, estimators and operational teams to develop commercially competitive proposals.
• Supporting bid strategy, win planning and commercial discussions.
• Ensuring appropriate governance is maintained throughout the tender process.
• Identifying contract extensions, retention opportunities and rebids with existing clients.
• Supporting commercial negotiations through to successful contract award.

Pipeline & Market Development

You will take ownership of developing a sustainable pipeline of future opportunities, including:

• Maintaining accurate opportunity information, forecasts and sales activity within the CRM.
• Monitoring upcoming frameworks, procurement exercises and major contract opportunities.
• Understanding competitor activity and wider market developments.
• Providing market intelligence and pipeline reporting to senior leadership.
• Attending relevant industry events, conferences and networking opportunities.
• Helping strengthen the company's profile across the utilities and arboriculture markets.

What We're Looking For

We're particularly interested in speaking with commercially driven Business Development professionals with experience within one or more of the following areas:

• Arboriculture
• Utility Vegetation Management
• Grounds Maintenance
• Utilities
• Infrastructure Maintenance

You should be able to demonstrate a successful track record of developing relationships and winning significant service-based contracts.

Experience of public-sector procurement, frameworks and competitive tendering would be particularly valuable, alongside an understanding of commercial pricing, contract negotiation and structured pipeline management.

You'll need to be confident dealing with stakeholders at all levels, from operational teams through to senior client decision-makers, and comfortable operating across a national territory.

Desirable Experience

Previous relationships or experience working with any of the following would be particularly advantageous:

• Electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)
• Utility providers
• Tier 1 infrastructure contractors
• Local authorities
• Public-sector procurement organisations
• Highways and infrastructure maintenance providers

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established business with ambitious growth plans and play a significant role in developing its national presence.

You'll have a high level of autonomy and ownership, working on major contract opportunities and building relationships with some of the UK's largest utilities, infrastructure and public-sector organisations.

If you're an experienced Business Development Manager from the utilities, arboriculture, vegetation management or grounds maintenance sectors and you're considering your next move, we'd be very interested in speaking with you.

For a confidential conversation and further information, please contact Example Recruitment Group.