Business Development Manager

About UpskillNI

UpskillNI is a training provider delivering the ApprenticeshipsNI programme to employers and employees across Northern Ireland.

We work closely with businesses to identify their training and development needs and provide nationally recognised vocational qualifications that help employees develop their skills while supporting employers to strengthen their workforce.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an ambitious and results-driven Business Development Manager to develop new employer relationships and generate apprenticeship opportunities across Northern Ireland.

The Role

The Business Development Manager will be responsible for promoting and selling UpskillNI's ApprenticeshipsNI provision to employers throughout Northern Ireland.

This is a proactive business development role focused on identifying new employers, speaking with business owners and decision-makers, arranging meetings, presenting the benefits of ApprenticeshipsNI and converting opportunities into learner enrolments.

Our vocational provision includes areas such as:

• Customer Service
• Team Leading
• Management
• Other vocational programmes introduced by UpskillNI as our provision expands

The successful candidate will manage the full business development process, from initial prospecting and employer engagement through to securing commitment and coordinating learner referrals with the UpskillNI delivery team.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Proactively identify and approach potential employers throughout Northern Ireland.
• Generate new business through telephone prospecting, email, LinkedIn, networking, referrals, employer visits and other appropriate methods.
• Arrange and attend meetings with employers and key decision-makers.
• Promote the ApprenticeshipsNI programme and clearly explain the benefits to employers and their employees.
• Identify employers with suitable existing employees who could benefit from apprenticeship training.
• Identify opportunities across Customer Service, Team Leading, Management and other relevant vocational areas.
• Convert employer opportunities into confirmed learner referrals and enrolments.
• Develop a strong pipeline of prospective employers and learners.
• Follow up leads consistently to maximise conversion rates.
• Achieve agreed monthly, quarterly and annual business development targets.

Employer Relationship Management

• Build strong, professional and long-term relationships with employers.
• Become a trusted point of contact for employers regarding workforce development and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Understand each employer's business, staffing structure and training requirements.
• Identify opportunities to expand delivery within existing employer accounts.
• Maintain regular contact with employers throughout the relationship.
• Encourage referrals and introductions to other businesses where appropriate.

ApprenticeshipsNI

The Business Development Manager will develop a strong understanding of the ApprenticeshipsNI programme and UpskillNI's eligibility requirements.

They will be expected to accurately explain programme requirements to employers and ensure that prospective learners appear suitable before being passed to the enrolment and delivery team.

Full training on ApprenticeshipsNI eligibility, funding requirements and UpskillNI's programmes will be provided.

CRM, Reporting & Pipeline Management

• Maintain accurate records of employer contacts, meetings, leads and opportunities.
• Maintain an active sales pipeline and provide regular updates to the Directors.
• Record expected learner numbers and anticipated enrolment dates.
• Monitor individual performance against agreed targets.
• Provide accurate forecasts of upcoming employer and learner opportunities.
• Work closely with administration, tutors, assessors and management to ensure a smooth transition from employer sign-up to programme delivery.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who is confident, motivated and comfortable developing new business.

The successful candidate should have:

• Previous experience in business development, sales, account management or employer engagement.
• A proven ability to generate and convert new business opportunities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence speaking with business owners, managers, HR professionals and senior decision-makers.
• Strong negotiation and closing skills.
• The ability to build relationships quickly and professionally.
• A proactive approach to generating their own leads rather than relying solely on incoming enquiries.
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills.
• The ability to manage a large geographical territory.
• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate CRM and sales records.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to the wider UpskillNI team.

Experience within apprenticeships, training, education or government-funded programmes would be advantageous but is not essential, as full programme training will be provided.

Travel

This role covers the whole of Northern Ireland, and regular travel to employer premises will be required.

The successful candidate must therefore be comfortable managing their own diary and travelling throughout Northern Ireland to attend employer meetings and develop new business.

A full UK driving licence and access to suitable transport are required.

What We Are Looking For

This position would suit someone who enjoys sales, meeting businesses and developing relationships.

We are particularly interested in candidates who are:

• Target driven
• Self-motivated
• Confident and professional
• Persistent without being overly aggressive
• Comfortable making outbound calls and approaching new businesses
• Able to identify opportunities and close business
• Capable of working independently
• Motivated by building a territory and seeing measurable results

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will primarily be measured through:

• New employer relationships established
• Employer meetings generated
• Number of eligible learner referrals
• Confirmed apprenticeship enrolments
• Conversion rate from opportunity to enrolment
• Development of existing employer accounts
• Achievement of monthly and annual learner recruitment targets
• Quality and accuracy of CRM/pipeline management

Why Join UpskillNI?

This is an opportunity to join a growing Northern Ireland training provider and play a significant role in expanding our employer network.

You will have the opportunity to develop business across all of Northern Ireland, working with organisations from a wide range of industries and helping employers access training that develops their people and their businesses.

As UpskillNI continues to expand its vocational provision, there will also be opportunities to introduce additional programmes to existing and new employer relationships.

**UpskillNI is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.**s.

Pay: £25,420.00-£80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lisburn District BT28 2EH