Business Development Director

Job Introduction

We have a fantastic opportunity to join our Independent Schools team as a Business Development Director. We’re keen to meet with people that not only understand this sector but have the contacts to hit the ground running.  

You’ll play a key part in developing, growing and retaining Sodexo business within the Independent School sector by working closely with our Sales & Marketing Director to achieve growth and client retention targets.

Check us out here http://www.independentsbysodexo.com/  

Role Responsibility

• Development of a compelling achievable vision, strategy and business plan for the segment.
• Successful delivery of both profitable new business & rebids so as to achieve the company’s overall sales objectives
• Responsible for supporting the overall UK&I growth targets
• Responsibility for business development planning, customer and competitor analysis, financial modelling, proposal design and tender bids to grow the business
• Proactively lead and support the business with major re-tenders and organic growth bids within existing contracts
• Responsible for prospecting and developing relationships for large, high value contracts
• Constantly monitoring market activity and seeking to secure new profitable business
• Develop both internal and external relationships with key clients to identify pipeline and organic growth opportunities
• Build a strong pipeline and nurture potential client relationships so as to positively influence Sodexo’s probability of conversion as opportunities come to market
• Maintain on-going relationships with clients and internal personnel after award of contract to build on the Clients for Life philosophy
• Leadership of the Business Development Team (physical & virtual), including identification of resources required to deliver the segment sales strategy
• Provide high level strategic support to high value, complex bids throughout the end to end sales process
• Responsible for overall growth and end to end sales process and budget within segment
• Work closely with the bid solutioning capability to generate holistic solutions that are a compelling proposition to the client by addressing their business and consumer needs and differentiating Sodexo from our competitors while being balanced with commercial requirements.
• Leadership of the segment Business Development Team to achieve segment objectives, including identification of additional in and out of segment resources required to deliver the segment sales strategy
• Establish a strong ‘win culture’ within the segment business development team and broader bid solutioning capability

The Ideal Candidate

• Market awareness / experience of the UK Independent schools’ sector
• Positive industry recognition in the above segment
• Experience in working with senior management to align sales strategies and win business
• Must have experience of working in a business development environment
• Excellent negotiation skills, proven track record of successfully pitching for new business Proven track record of increasing revenue through generation of leads
• An excellent written and oral communicator with the ability to influence
• Commercially aware with solid business development and financial management skills Confident, ambitious and energetic with a persuasive manner and the ability to use your initiative
• Proven capacity to effectively manage and mentor staff with various levels of skills and experience in a matrix style organisation
• Strong organisational skills and ability to bring together complex teams, precise scheduling and multiple and shifting priorities.

Package Description

As part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for our employees, Sodexo offers a Flexible Benefits Scheme, allowing you to tailor a reward package to suit your needs but includes a technology scheme, private dental insurance, travel insurance, gym membership, Gourmet card, private medical insurance and the ability to purchase or sell annual leave. We also have a Sodexo Discount scheme, which offers employees and their friends and family the opportunity to benefit from over 1,200 discounts from top retailers both online and in-store.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 36,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the energy, corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

At Sodexo we are committed to a leading role in promoting equality opportunities and valuing diversity and inclusion. We seek to create a work environment based on mutual respect for all individuals, building a culture that appreciates and values the experiences and skills brought by each person to benefit our organisation and work hard to ensure that all people, whatever their race, colour, sex, gender identity  disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age, social class, educational background, employment status, working pattern, are welcome to and included within our organisation. 

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process.