Business Development Manager (BDM)

Role Summary

We are looking for a self-driven Business Development Manager to build our network of industry partners for student apprenticeships. You will meet employers in the field, explain the value of apprenticeship, and get them empanelled with us as hosting partners, so that our students get quality on-the-job training and employers get a skilled, job-ready talent pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Industry outreach and field visits: Identify and visit manufacturing units, MSMEs, service companies, retail, healthcare, IT, logistics and other relevant establishments across assigned territories; meet owners, HR heads and plant managers in person.
• Empanelment: Pitch the apprenticeship program, explain stipend, duration, training structure and statutory requirements, and complete the empanelment process including MoUs, documentation and registration on the relevant apprenticeship portal.
• Pipeline building: Maintain a strong database of prospective industries, build a funnel from lead to meeting to empanelment, and meet monthly and quarterly targets.
• Apprenticeship opportunity mapping: Work with employers to define trades, roles, number of seats and skill requirements, and match these with our student batches and courses.
• Relationship management: Keep empanelled partners engaged, resolve issues, collect feedback on student performance, and drive repeat and increased intake each cycle.
• Coordination with internal teams: Work with the training, placement and operations teams on student mobilisation, onboarding, documentation and follow-up.
• Industry associations and ecosystem: Build ties with chambers of commerce, industry associations, industrial estates and skill councils to gain referrals and credibility.
• Reporting and compliance: Update the CRM daily, submit visit reports and weekly and monthly MIS, and ensure partner documentation meets regulatory requirements.
• Market intelligence: Track local industry demand, competitor programs and policy changes in apprenticeship and skilling, and recommend how to improve the offer.

Key Performance Indicators

• Number of new industry partners empanelled per month/quarter
• Number of apprenticeship seats secured
• Seat-to-student conversion (apprentices actually placed)
• Partner retention and repeat engagement rate
• Field visits and meetings completed against plan
• Quality and timeliness of documentation and reporting

Qualifications

• Graduate in any discipline; MBA/PGDM in Marketing, Sales or HR preferred
• 3–7 years of experience in B2B sales, business development, corporate relations, skilling, or placement/apprenticeship roles
• Prior experience with the apprenticeship ecosystem (NAPS/NATS, skill councils, ITIs, polytechnics or training organisations) is a strong advantage

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills in English and the local language (Hindi preferred)
• Ability to approach and convince business owners and decision-makers
• Understanding of apprenticeship norms, stipend structures and MoU processes (or willingness to learn quickly)
• Strong target orientation, follow-up discipline and resilience
• Working knowledge of CRM tools, MS Office / Google Workspace
• Comfortable with extensive travel and field work; valid driving licence and own two-wheeler preferred.

Pay: ₹20,000.00 - ₹35,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person