Business Development Manager – Public Sector / Education focus

Surrey | Permanent | Leadership Role | Hybrid Working

Are you a commercially driven Business Development leader with a proven track record of winning new business in the public sector?

We are partnered with a fast-growing education organisation to appoint an ambitious Business Development Manager who will own, scale, and continuously improve the new business function. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who thrives on pace, data-driven decision-making, and securing strategic client wins.

You will focus nationally on winning new clients across the B2B and B2G landscape, including schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), Local Education Authorities (LEAs), and the wider public sector. You’ll be supported by an existing BD Executive and marketing team while leading and shaping the broader growth strategy.

The Role

As Business Development Manager, you will:

• Develop and execute a national business development strategy in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team
• Identify and secure new partnerships across schools, MATs, LEAs, and public sector bodies
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities through networking, events, outreach campaigns, and marketing initiatives
• Engage key decision-makers, including Headteachers, Trust CEOs, Directors of Education, and Local Authority leaders
• Lead consultative sales conversations, tailoring proposals to meet specific partner needs
• Own and monitor upcoming public sector tenders and framework opportunities
• Work closely with an external Bids & Tenders team to secure successful tender submissions
• Represent the organisation at education conferences, public sector events, and industry forums
• Use impact data, delivery outcomes, and case studies to strengthen credibility in sales discussions
• Maintain accurate CRM reporting and use data insights to drive conversion and strategy
• Provide weekly pipeline updates and deliver against quarterly revenue and enrolment targets
• Lead and develop the wider Business Development team, including Sales Executives and Marketing Coordinators
• Partner with the Commercial Director to analyse pipeline and performance data to inform growth decisions
• Foster long-term client relationships to drive renewals, referrals, and expanded partnerships

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in Business Development or consultative B2B/B2G sales, ideally within education or the public sector
• Demonstrable success selling to schools, MATs, LEAs, or government bodies
• Experience navigating UK public sector procurement frameworks and tender processes
• Strong commercial acumen and results-driven mindset
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Confidence engaging senior stakeholders and public sector leaders
• Data-driven approach to pipeline management and CRM utilisation
• Self-motivated, resilient, and entrepreneurial

Why Join?

• Opportunity to shape and lead a growing public sector BD function
• High-visibility leadership role with strategic influence
• Hybrid working model
• Collaborative and mission-driven organisation
• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives

Salary is up to £55,000 with a bonus package available (20% of salary in bonus for achieving KPI's).

If you are a strategic Business Development professional with deep public sector expertise and a passion for education, we would love to hear from you.

Contact joel.fletcher@luminte-talent.com

We help organisations elevate their approach to attracting, engaging, and securing exceptional talent on a retained project basis. Our focus is on a detailed recruitment process, following skills and culture fit.