Business Development Manager
Job Description
We're looking for an ambitious, commercially driven Business Development Manager to play a key role in driving new business growth for an established digital marketing agency.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced B2B sales professional who enjoys building relationships, identifying opportunities and turning conversations into long-term commercial partnerships.
You'll take ownership of the full new business sales cycle, from generating leads and developing referral relationships through to arranging client meetings, delivering presentations, negotiating proposals and closing deals. You'll be responsible for getting out in front of prospective clients, understanding their business objectives and demonstrating how the agency's digital marketing services can help them attract more customers, increase revenue and grow their business.
You'll work with a diverse range of organisations, from ambitious SMEs looking to develop their digital presence through to established, much larger businesses with more complex marketing requirements. The focus will be on winning new clients and securing ongoing monthly retainers, building a strong portfolio of accounts and creating sustainable revenue growth for the agency.
Key Responsibilities
- Proactively generate new business opportunities through outbound prospecting, networking, referrals and existing relationships, taking ownership of developing your own sales pipeline.
- Work closely with the internal marketing team to maximise inbound enquiries and convert marketing-generated leads into new clients.
- Build relationships with business owners, directors, marketing managers and senior decision-makers across businesses of varying sizes.
- Arrange and attend face-to-face client meetings, travelling to prospective clients' offices to understand their objectives, challenges and marketing requirements.
- Confidently pitch the agency's digital marketing services, presenting tailored solutions and demonstrating the commercial value they can deliver.
- Develop proposals, negotiate commercial terms and successfully close new business, with a focus on securing ongoing monthly retainers and long-term partnerships.
- Manage your sales pipeline, monitor performance against targets and identify opportunities to grow client relationships.
- Work alongside internal marketing and delivery teams to ensure a smooth handover and successful onboarding of new clients.
About You
We're looking for someone who is naturally confident, commercially minded and motivated by winning new business. You'll enjoy the process of opening doors, building relationships and getting in front of people, with the ability to turn an initial conversation into a commercial opportunity.
You'll be comfortable working independently, taking ownership of your own sales activity and being proactive in finding opportunities rather than relying on leads being handed to you.
Ideally, you'll have:
- Proven experience in a Business Development, New Business or Sales role within a B2B environment.
- A successful track record of generating new business, winning clients and achieving revenue targets.
- Experience selling digital marketing services, ideally within an agency environment, or selling other ongoing professional or outsourced services.
- An understanding of selling monthly retainers, service agreements or longer-term commercial contracts.
- Confidence pitching to a variety of stakeholders, from SME business owners through to senior decision-makers within larger organisations.
- Strong presentation, negotiation and closing skills, with the ability to communicate commercial value rather than simply sell a service.
- Experience managing a full sales cycle, from initial prospecting and lead generation through to proposal, negotiation and contract sign-off.
- A proactive approach to networking, referrals and relationship building.
- A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel for client meetings.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to join a growing digital marketing agency in a commercially important role, where you'll have the autonomy to develop your own sales pipeline, build relationships with businesses of all sizes and make a direct contribution to the agency's continued growth.
You'll have the backing of an established internal marketing and delivery team, giving you the opportunity to focus on what you do best: developing relationships, identifying opportunities and winning new business.
For the right person, this offers the chance to build a valuable client portfolio, develop long-term commercial relationships and play a significant part in the future growth of the business.