Business Development Manager – Children’s Social Care & Education £55,000 – £65,000 + 10% Performance Bonus Hybrid | South England (Croydon / Surrey / Kent) with occasional travel to Leeds
Diamond Search Recruitment is proud to be partnering exclusively with a well‑established and growing provider of Ofsted‑regulated education and children’s social care services, to appoint a Business Development Manager to lead growth across their South Schools portfolio.
About the Role
As Business Development Manager, you will act as a strategic partner to Regional Operations Teams, driving service growth, improving occupancy and ensuring business development activity aligns with operational capacity. You’ll lead the Placements Team, overseeing a high volume of referrals, and build strong relationships with Local Authority commissioners and stakeholders across the South of England.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner strategically with regional operations teams to drive growth and occupancy
- Lead and manage the Placements Team, overseeing referral and matching processes
- Monitor pipeline, conversion rates and placement activity, reporting to senior leadership
- Identify and secure new business opportunities within the education and social care sector
- Build and maintain relationships with Local Authority commissioners and key stakeholders
- Maintain expert knowledge of Ofsted regulations (2023) and EHCP processes
- Deliver weekly trading packs and reporting dashboards for MDs and the COO
- Represent the organisation at sector events, forums and strategic meetings
What We’re Looking For
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in business development, commissioning or strategic leadership within children’s social care or education, ideally within Independent Special Schools
- Proven experience business partnering with operational teams
- Experience managing placements functions or teams handling complex, high‑volume referrals
- A strong track record building partnerships with Local Authorities and commissioners
- Strong commercial acumen and analytical/strategic thinking skills
- Excellent relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills
- Understanding of commissioning frameworks, funding pathways and procurement in children’s services
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across South England
What’s on Offer
- £55,000 – £65,000 basic salary (dependent on experience)
- 10% performance‑related bonus
- Hybrid working with regular regional travel
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to outcomes for vulnerable young people
- A senior, high‑visibility role reporting directly to the Commercial Director
#J-18808-Ljbffr…