Business Development Manager

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Business Development team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.

WHSmith Travel has seen significant growth over the last 12 months, and the success is due to continue. With 867 Travel Stores at present across various different formats, we are recruiting a Business Development Manager to join our talented Business Development Team. Reporting into the Head of Business Development you will be responsible for seeking and securing new business opportunities as well as protecting existing business in the UK. Our lean team take ownership of key accounts across the Travel retail estate including our Hospital, Rail, Airport, Franchise and Concession stores, but this role will primarily focused on the Hospital formats.

What you will be doing:

• Responsible for maintaining positive landlord relationships,
• Negotiate new and existing leases and growing our store portfolio as well as focussing on our current partner relationships
• Identify new sales, profit, income and unit opportunities whilst assessing our competitors to ensure WHSmith are No1 in the market place.
• Work closely with the WHSmith Property and Construction teams and Travel’s Retail Delivery team on the successful delivery of multiple projects as well as external solicitors to agree format of new lease agreements.
• Fully accountable for the capital expenditure and performance vs. budget but also, be responsible for leading tender proposals and creating robust internal business cases.

What we are looking for:

• Demonstrate strong influencing and negotiation skills,
• Experience of relationship management and the ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
• A true ambassador for WHSmith, demonstrating a high drive for results, possess strong attention to detail and have proven experience of making sound commercial decisions
• Ideally you will have worked in Retail and have a good understanding and appreciation of the Retail market place, combined with strong analytical skills and an impeccable communication style you could be who we are looking for.
• The successful candidate must have a Full UK Driving Licence with the flexibility to travel UK wide

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
• 4pm Friday Finish
• Flexible Working
• 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
• Family Friendly Leave
• Company Pension scheme
• Sharesave Scheme
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
• Competitive Salary and Car Allowance
• Private Medical

About us:

Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.

WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.