Job Description:

Business Development Manager

Location: Hybrid – frequent travel across Croydon, Surrey and Kent, with occasional travel to Leeds
Salary: £55,000–£65,000 per annum
Bonus: 10% performance-related bonus
Recruitment Agency: Diamond Search Recruitment, acting on behalf of our client

The Opportunity

Diamond Search Recruitment is delighted to be working on behalf of our client to recruit an experienced Business Development Manager to lead business development activity across a portfolio of Ofsted-regulated education services in the South.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced commercial or business development professional with a strong background in children’s social care, education or independent specialist education.

You will play a key role in identifying new opportunities, developing strategic relationships with local authorities and commissioners, and ensuring services respond effectively to the needs of young people while meeting regulatory and quality requirements.

The Role

Working closely with regional operational leadership, you will drive business growth, maximise placement opportunities and support the continued development of services across the South.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Act as a strategic business partner to regional operations teams, aligning business development activity with operational capacity and growth objectives.

• Provide market intelligence and insight into commissioner requirements, local demand and sector developments.

• Lead and manage the placements function, ensuring referrals are handled efficiently and responsively.

• Oversee the end-to-end referral and matching process, ensuring placements are appropriate, commercially viable and aligned with quality standards.

• Monitor referral volumes, conversion rates, occupancy, pipeline activity and placement opportunities.

• Identify, develop and secure new business opportunities within the education sector.

• Conduct market and competitor analysis to inform growth strategies and service positioning.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authority commissioners, key stakeholders and strategic partners.

• Represent the organisation at relevant sector events, forums and strategic meetings.

• Maintain strong knowledge of relevant Ofsted regulations and ensure business development and placement activity remains compliant.

• Support internal teams with regulatory guidance and updates.

• Produce weekly trading packs and reporting dashboards for senior leadership, providing clear insight into referral activity, occupancy, pipeline opportunities, market trends and commissioner engagement.

• Analyse commercial and operational data to identify trends, risks and opportunities and provide actionable recommendations to senior leaders.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Business Development Manager with a proven track record within children’s social care, education or independent specialist education.

You will ideally have:

• At least 3 years' experience in business development, commissioning or strategic leadership within children’s social care or education.

• Experience working within or alongside Independent Special Schools.

• Proven experience partnering with operational teams to align growth strategies with service delivery.

• Experience managing placements functions or teams handling high volumes of complex referrals.

• A strong track record of developing relationships with local authorities, commissioners and other key stakeholders.

• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and capitalise on growth opportunities.

• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data, market intelligence and regulatory developments.

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Experience working closely with operational leadership teams in social care or housing support services.

• Knowledge of commissioning frameworks, funding pathways and procurement processes within children's services.

• Experience supporting service design or redesign in response to regulatory changes or changing commissioner requirements.

Why Apply?

This is a senior and commercially important role offering the opportunity to make a genuine impact on service growth while supporting the delivery of high-quality education services for young people.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with senior operational and commercial leaders, develop influential commissioner relationships and play a key role in shaping growth across a regional portfolio.

Package

• £55,000–£65,000 salary

• 10% performance-related bonus

• Hybrid working

• Regional travel across South London, Surrey and Kent

• Occasional travel to Leeds

Apply Now

If you have a strong background in business development, commissioning or placements within children's social care or education and are looking for your next senior commercial opportunity, Diamond Search Recruitment would be delighted to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV for a confidential discussion about this opportunity.