Business Development Manager

Introduction

Evident is an intelligence platform that benchmarks and tracks AI adoption across the financial services sector. Since the launch of our flagship product in January 2023, the Evident AI Index has rapidly become the global standard benchmark for AI maturity in financial services.

The Evident AI Index forms the basis of our benchmarking products, which help companies to understand their ranking in relation to peers and to accelerate their AI strategy. The Client Services team, sitting at the core of Evident’s value proposition to clients, is responsible for delivering bespoke benchmarking analysis to clients and shaping the strategy of our benchmarking products.

Why Join Us

• We are index experts. Our Co-Founders Alexandra Mousavizadeh and Annabel Ayles have more than 30 years of experience building complex indices that drive positive change in the world
• We are building a cutting edge research team that uses the latest techniques in machine learning to build faster and better data collection and analysis tools
• We’ve been backed by some of the world’s leading tech investors, including the backers of Revolut and the tech commentator Scott Galloway
• We’re working with some of the world's largest banks, helping them shape their AI strategies impacting millions of customers

If you are interested in advancing your career at a fast-growing, innovative and impact-driven company, you can read about Our Values and Our Commitment to Responsible AI. Our commitments to diversity and inclusion are set out at the end of this job description.

The role

We are seeking an ambitious, goal-driven Business Development Manager to join our fast-growing team at Evident. In this role you will combine research, strategy and ingenuity to convert high quality sales opportunities for our Commercial team, playing a key role in driving growth. Your contributions will directly support the expansion of our products and services within our banking business.

The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter who thrives on autonomy and is eager to use their initiative in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and execute business development strategy for targeted markets, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key clients and stakeholders
• Lead outbound prospecting campaigns and manage the pipeline to drive high-quality opportunities
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify new business opportunities and areas for growth
• Engage in high-level discussions with senior decision-makers at prospective client organizations about Evident’s value proposition
• Mentor and support junior team members or associates in generating leads, booking meetings, and nurturing relationships
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Research teams to optimise client engagement strategies
• Oversee inbound lead management and ensure effective follow-up, reporting, and pipeline conversion

Skills

• At least 3–5 years of experience in a business development, sales, or client management role, ideally with increasing responsibility
• Proven track record of managing client relationships, closing high-value deals, and driving revenue growth
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate independently
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders
• Familiarity with CRM systems and lead generation tools; able to optimise workflows and processes

Nice to have

• Experience working in a start-up environment, within the financial services industry, or a relevant adjacent sector (e.g. venture capital).
• Experience leading or mentoring junior team members

Benefits

• Share options: we offer all employees share options over a 4 year vesting period
• Holidays: 28 days of holiday + public bank holidays
• Flexible working: 3-4 days per week in our Central London office, 1-2 days remote
• Learning & development budget: £1000/year
• Pension
• Private health insurance

Our commitments to diversity and inclusion

• Evident is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating all forms of discrimination. Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.
• During our recruitment process, you will not be discriminated against for any of the following reasons: race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), age, disability, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you need us to make certain changes (known as reasonable adjustments) to make sure you are not disadvantaged during the recruitment process, you should contact us as soon as possible.
• We strive to create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and discrimination, promote dignity and respect for all, and value and recognise individual differences and the contributions of all staff.