Head of Business Development
Are you excited by the real-world application of AI in business — not just the theory?
Do you want to build a commercial function from the ground up, shape a sales team in your image, and play a leading role in launching future-focused apprenticeship programmes that genuinely deliver ROI for employers?
An ambitious, independent training provider in the North West is entering an exciting new phase of growth — and they’re looking for a commercially astute, entrepreneurial Head of Business Development to lead their Future Skills division.
This organisation has recently undergone restructuring and investment, with a clear strategic focus:
- Sustainable growth
- High-quality delivery
- Employer-first apprenticeship design
- Emerging AI and tech programmes that solve real business problems
The Future Skills division will deliver AI Practitioner, Business Analyst and other tech-focused apprenticeships designed to add measurable value to employers from early in the programme.
This isn’t volume-driven sales.
This is consultative, value-led growth.
You’ll be trusted to design and deliver the entire commercial strategy for this division — building employer pipelines, shaping propositions, and ultimately recruiting and leading your own sales team.
This is not a “slot into an existing sales machine” role.
You will:
- Design the commercial strategy
- Build regional employer pipelines (primarily NW England)
- Shape propositions and contracting models
- Establish KPIs and incentive structures
- Recruit and lead at least two additional sales professionals
- Influence product development alongside delivery teams
You’ll report directly to the Managing Director and sit at senior level, with genuine autonomy and influence.
Are you excited by the real-world application of AI in business — not just the theory?
Do you want to build a commercial function from the ground up, shape a sales team in your image, and play a leading role in launching future-focused apprenticeship programmes that genuinely deliver ROI for employers?
An ambitious, independent training provider in the North West is entering an exciting new phase of growth — and they’re looking for a commercially astute, entrepreneurial Head of Business Development to lead their Future Skills division.
Main Purpose
The organisation is currently around 30 staff, structured across Adult Skills, Justice provision and Future Skills (AI & Tech growth devision). Learner numbers are growing steadily, with new apprenticeship cohorts launching later this year. The leadership team is committed to:
- Measured, manageable cohort sizes
- Demonstrable employer value
- High-quality delivery
- Long-term partnerships over transactional contracts
They believe apprenticeships should deliver tangible impact for employers — structured projects, measurable outcomes and meaningful return on investment.
Your role will be central to turning that vision into commercial reality.
Responsibilities
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Develop and execute a regional BD strategy aligned to staged intake targets
- Build and manage a healthy sales pipeline
- Secure new employer contracts for AI & tech apprenticeship programmes
- Drive revenue growth for the Future Skills division
- Lead high-quality employer presentations and consultations
- Translate AI and apprenticeship outcomes into clear commercial value
- Build long-term employer partnerships
- Represent the organisation at industry events and networking forums
- Recruit, structure and lead a growing sales team
- Set KPIs and incentive structures
- Embed CRM discipline and pipeline reporting
- Develop a performance-driven yet collaborative sales culture
- Work closely with curriculum and delivery teams
- Feed employer insight into programme development
- Support marketing with campaign messaging and collateral
- Contribute to employer satisfaction and repeat business strategy
This is a hands-on leadership role — you’ll lead from the front while building the infrastructure for scalable growth.
Who This Would Suit
You’ll likely bring:
- Proven B2B sales or business development leadership experience
- Experience building sales processes and teams
- Confidence in consultative selling
- Strong regional employer engagement experience (NW England advantageous)
- Experience within apprenticeships, training providers or technology-related services (highly desirable)
Understanding the apprenticeship landscape and levy funding is beneficial — but not essential if you bring strong adjacent commercial experience and the appetite to learn quickly.
Most importantly, you’ll be:
- Commercially sharp and target-driven
- Confident presenting technical concepts in accessible language
- Entrepreneurial and comfortable with autonomy
- Data-driven in managing pipelines and forecasting
- Motivated by building something meaningful
If you’re excited by AI’s practical application in business — and want to sell solutions that genuinely improve workforce capability — this role offers a rare platform.
Why Join Now?
Timing matters.
New apprenticeship cohorts are launching later this year. The organisation wants this role in place with sufficient runway to build pipeline, secure contracts and shape the division before scale accelerates.
You will join at a pivotal moment — early enough to influence direction, but with strong foundations and leadership clarity already in place.
This is your chance to:
- Build a commercial engine from scratch
- Shape a future-facing AI & apprenticeship proposition
- Lead and grow a team
- Have visible impact in a small but ambitious provider
If you’re looking for autonomy, influence, and the opportunity to build something commercially exciting and genuinely purposeful — this could be the role for you.
Does this post interest you? Apply today
Remote
North West
Permanent Full Time
£45,000 to £65,000 (dependent on experience)
Annually
