Business Development Manager

Reports To: Chief Commercial Officer

Location: Flexible – with national travel as required.

Contract Type: Full-time / Permanent

At Coffey, our people are at the heart of our success. We work collaboratively to deliver high-quality infrastructure projects that make a positive impact in the communities we serve. Guided by our values Do The Right Thing, Do It Better, Do It Together, we offer a supportive environment where continuous improvement and professional growth are encouraged.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled and motivated Business Development Manager to join our fast-growing UK team to drive sustainable growth within the UK Water sector, while also identifying and developing opportunities to supply water and wastewater treatment solutions to the UK industrial market.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in identifying new market opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and expanding Coffey UK’s customer base across both regulated water utilities and industrial clients. This role requires a strong blend of commercial acumen, technical understanding, and relationship management, working closely with internal engineering, marketing, and delivery teams to convert opportunities into long‑term value.

The position aligns with Coffey UK’s strategic focus on municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment, including design, build, and modular solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth:

• Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities within the UK regulated water sector, including clean water and wastewater treatment.
• Develop opportunities to supply industrial water and wastewater treatment solutions to private‑sector clients.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities aligned with Coffey UK’s growth strategy.
• Support bid / no‑bid decisions and contribute to winning strategies for framework, negotiated, and competitive tenders.

Market & Sector Intelligence:

• Conduct ongoing market research across UK water utilities, industrial sectors, and emerging treatment technologies.
• Track AMP investment cycles, client priorities, and regulatory drivers influencing capital and operational spend.
• Monitor competitor activity and partnership models to inform Coffey UK’s positioning and value proposition.

Client & Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with water utilities, industrial clients, consultants, and strategic partners.
• Act as a trusted commercial interface between clients and Coffey UK’s technical and delivery teams.
• Represent Coffey UK at industry events, conferences, and client engagement forums.

Commercial & Deal Management:

• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with prospective clients and partners.
• Collaborate with engineering, estimating, and legal teams to develop robust, competitive proposals.
• Support the development of innovative technical and commercial solutions, including modular and standardised offerings.

Collaboration & Strategy:

• Work closely with marketing teams to develop sector‑specific messaging, campaigns, and client engagement plans.
• Collaborate with technical and operational teams to ensure proposed solutions are aligned with delivery capability and client requirements.
• Contribute to the ongoing refinement of Coffey UK’s water and industrial growth strategy.

About You

Candidate Requirements

Education:

• Third‑level qualification in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• A combination of engineering education and commercial experience is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Proven experience in a business development, commercial, or sales role within the UK water, wastewater, utilities, or industrial treatment sectors.
• Demonstrated understanding of UK water utility clients, procurement routes, and framework‑based delivery models.
• Experience developing opportunities within industrial water or wastewater treatment is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong commercial awareness with proven negotiation capability.
• Ability to understand and articulate complex technical solutions to a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Strategic, opportunity‑driven mindset with strong organisational skills.
• Comfortable working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Personal Attributes:

• Results‑focused, proactive, and self‑motivated.
• Professional and credible when engaging with senior clients and partners.
• Adaptable and resilient within a growing UK business environment.
• Aligned with Coffey UK’s values of safety, quality, collaboration, and sustainability.

Coffey Values

Our Values Guide Our Actions:

• Do the Right Thing - Trust will be built because we are consistent, reliable and fair.
• Do It Better - Every challenge is a chance to improve, look for smarter, safer, and faster ways to maximise efficiency and eliminate waste.
• Do It Together - Collaboration makes us stronger, listen to clients to understand their challenges and goals. Success will come from helping other sus succeed and this will be achieved though teamwork. Collaboration and shared purpose.

Why Join Us?

• Take a leadership role in shaping Coffey UK’s continued growth in the UK water and industrial treatment markets.
• Exposure to major regulated water utility programmes and private industrial clients.
• Work in a values‑driven, collaborative, technically strong organisation with long- long-term growth ambition.
• Competitive salary & professional development opportunities.