Deputy Head of Business Development

This is a newly created senior-level role in one of the UK’s leading international consultancy and research organisations in the field of social development, a cutting edge and growing international social enterprise. It offers scope for a dynamic and entrepreneurial individual to make a significant impact within a supportive team environment.

This post provides high-level commercial and procurement expertise and leadership of complex bidding processes, as well as line management and development of Business Development Managers and Coordinators. Working collaboratively with our Technical and Programmes teams, the post is responsible for ensuring the preparation of high-quality bids, tenders and proposals, alongside wider strategic business development activities to support the continued growth and impact of SDDirect.

About us

Social Development Direct is a leading provider of high-quality, innovative social development expertise, consultancy and research services. As a specialist firm, we offer in-depth thematic expertise in safeguarding; gender-based violence prevention and response; governance and inclusive societies; and inclusive economic empowerment, climate justice, digital, amongst others.

We have a strong track record, over 20 years, of providing high quality services that include technical advice and support, research, development assistance programme design, delivery and management, monitoring and evaluation. Our clients are leading international bilateral and multilateral development agencies, INGOs and Foundations. We are a medium-sized social enterprise, wholly owned by Plan International UK, with a global track record in over 50 countries. Read more about us and our work at: www.sddirect.org.uk

SDDirect’s office is located in central London. We operate on a hybrid working basis with a combination of in-office collaboration time and support for flexible and remote working/working from home. We are a values-driven, collaborative organisation. We achieve high levels of staff satisfaction in annual surveys and provide ongoing support for internal employee-led social and workplace initiatives, including a staff representative forum.

SDDirect’s organisational vision is a just and equal world founded on gender equality and social inclusion. Our mission is to provide excellence in social development to support policies, laws, social norms and institutions that advance social, economic and political justice for all. We are committed to creating a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace and are actively seeking to expand our pool of talent from communities which are currently under-represented within the organisation.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Summary of role

Reports to: Associate Director of Business Development and Communications

Location: This is a UK based role. The postholder must have eligibility to work in the UK.

Our London Office works on a hybrid basis – we are open to flexible working.

Travel: Limited

Appointment term: Permanent

Remuneration Package: £50-65,000 per annum plus benefits

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development

· Contribute to strategic business planning, management of a sales pipeline and business development activity to meet company growth targets in a way that aligns with company strategy.

· Provide leadership on major tenders and opportunities, directing technical and BD contributions.

· Lead on the production of commercial budgets and proposals, including for larger tenders (above £1m) involving a prime and/or sub-contracted partners, ensuring they meet SDDirect’s business targets and maximise commercial opportunities.

· Represent SDDirect in commercial and contractual negotiations for proposals involving a prime and/or sub-contracted partners.

· In co-ordination with the Associate Director of BD, oversee company-wide pre-positioning and proposal development including competitor mapping and consortium selection and teaming.

· Identify potential new clients and create and respond to new opportunities, working closely with technical and other colleagues.

· Work closely with the Senior Technical Team (STT), Thematic Leads and Managing Director to create, identify and secure new work in our thematic areas and to identify and develop any new thematic areas.

· Support and advise the Business Development Team and other colleagues on approaches to business development including opportunity identification, structuring meetings, building consortia and financial models.

Networking and Relationship Management

· Play a leading role in account management of selected key clients and partners, providing client management support as needed to other colleagues.

· Build and maintain key contacts, particularly those relating to achieving growth with new clients.

· Participate in new consultant interviews and selection decisions.

· Support relationship management of key network consultants/senior associates.

Marketing and Communications

· Contribute to the development of external marketing and communications, which are in keeping with our brand and messaging.

· Attendance at / organisation of external events to raise brand awareness and build relationships with clients, partners and consultants.

Strategic Development & Management of the BD Team/Function

· Provide supportive and empowering line management to colleagues within the BD team including facilitating continuous professional development.

· Contribute to an inclusive team culture that attracts, retains and motivates a diversity of high-quality staff.

· Lead by example and inspire BD staff to live the organisation’s values.

· Ensure that BD related systems and processes are appropriate and are followed by the team.

· Continuously develop and strengthen approaches to formal tendering. Actively encourage lesson learning and drive ongoing improvements to our bidding processes and the company win rate on new opportunities.

· Contribute to development and improvement of broader company systems and processes.

As Social Development Direct is a small organisation it is expected that the postholder will work collaboratively and demonstrate flexibility in terms of taking on additional or different responsibilities and duties if required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

· Experience developing and implementing business development systems and procedures including sales pipeline management, tender processes, and customer relationship management.

· Experience and evidence of successfully driving company growth through generating sales from competitive tenders, self-generated opportunities, and proactive business development.

· Experience of developing financially sound commercial proposals for larger, complex procurements. Demonstrates a high level of commercial acumen.

· Successful track record of leading and winning proposals as a prime contractor in consortia involving partners/sub-contractors.

· Proven ability to set and achieve strategic objectives, working collaboratively with other teams within an organisation.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills. A persuasive communicator with strong networking, public relations and relationship building skills.

· Strong team player and confident decision maker.

· Flexible and a self-starter; able to multi-task while also being highly detail-oriented.

· Able to engage with a wide range of clients and partners and to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.

· Ability to coach staff, manage and develop high quality, diverse teams.

· A commitment to human rights and social justice.

· Fluency in written and spoken English.

· Ability to travel internationally and to work legally in the UK.

Desirable:

· Relevant network of contacts within the international development sector.

· Experience of working in diverse cultural environments.

· Knowledge and experience of FCDO and/or other international development donors, foundations and funding agencies.

· Experience in developing business that is focussed on highly customised or bespoke research or consultancy services.

· Proven effectiveness in working with diverse groups of technical staff and multi-disciplinary teams to identify and secure new business opportunities.

· Experience of contributing to strategic discussions and decisions and applying company strategy to BD activity.