Business Development Manager

Company: PEN Group

Role: Business Development Manager

Location: Canary Wharf, London

Salary: 35k-45k, plus on-target incentives

Employment type: Full time, on-site Monday-Friday

Full Right to Work in the UK is required.

Role Overview

The Business Development Manager (BDM) will play a key role in driving organizational growth through student recruitment, partner engagement, and market expansion. This position focuses on building and managing relationships with recruitment partners and other stakeholders, identifying new business opportunities, and supporting strategic initiatives aligned with the organization’s educational mission. The role operates in a dynamic, target-driven environment and requires strong commercial awareness, communication skills, and a results-oriented mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Development

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new student recruitment agencies and strategic partners.
• Build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with external stakeholders.

Sales & Student Recruitment

• Achieve agreed student recruitment targets across multiple intakes and programs.
• Promote academic offerings effectively to partners and prospective students.

Relationship Management

• Maintain regular communication with existing partners to ensure strong engagement and performance.
• Provide ongoing support, training, and updates to partners as required.

Market Research & Analysis

• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, competitor activity, and new growth opportunities.
• Gather and analyse feedback from partners and students to improve recruitment strategies.

Reporting & Performance Tracking

• Monitor recruitment performance and business development activities using CRM systems.
• Prepare regular reports on targets, conversions, and partnership outcomes for senior management.

Strategic Support

• Contribute to the development and execution of business development and recruitment strategies.
• Support internal teams to align recruitment activities with organizational goals.

Skills & Experience Required

• 2-3 years experience.
• Demonstrated experience in sales, business development, or partnerships (education sector preferred).
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and persuasive skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Solid business acumen with an understanding of recruitment or education markets.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and CRM platforms.
• High level of adaptability, organization, and attention to detail.

Benefits

• Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
• Workplace pension scheme
• Company Sick Pay
• Statutory maternity and paternity pay
• Employee Assistance Programme (HA Wisdom Wellbeing)
• Virtual GP access (Livi)
• 'Speak Up Service' – confidential support service to report workplace concerns
• Specialist physical and mental wellbeing support services with 24/7 confidential counselling (Wisdom)
• Specialist menopause support, including online CBT (Wisdom)
• Financial, legal and medical advice services (Wisdom)
• Life & Leadership coaching (Wisdom)
• Financial coaching (MUNNY)
• Discounts and perks, offering savings on shopping, activities and more (Bright Exchange)
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Training and self-development opportunities