Business Development Manager

About the Business

Our client is an ambitious and growing trade directory business with a clear vision: to become the UK's most trusted, transparent, and widely used local trade directory.

Operating across 36 different trade categories, they connect consumers with reputable local tradespeople and businesses, helping them make informed decisions when choosing service providers. As a relatively new business, they are in an exciting growth phase, offering the opportunity to play a key role in shaping our success and building long-term client relationships.

Their focus is on quality, credibility, and supporting local businesses through effective visibility and marketing opportunities within our directory platform.

Role Overview

We are looking for a self-motivated and commercially minded Business Development Manager to drive subscription sales and develop lasting relationships with businesses across our trade directory.

This is a highly autonomous role suited to someone who enjoys building their own pipeline, identifying opportunities, and managing client relationships from initial introduction through to renewal and growth. While much of the sales activity will be conducted by phone, this is not a call centre environment. The role offers significant flexibility, allowing you to manage your own time, develop your own approach, and build a successful portfolio of clients.

Working in a hybrid environment, you will be responsible for generating new business through networking, market research, referrals, and our established in-house database, while also nurturing ongoing relationships with existing subscribers.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate new business opportunities and subscription sales for the trade directory.
• Build and manage your own sales pipeline through networking, industry research, referrals, and company-provided leads.
• Develop relationships with business owners, directors, and key decision-makers.
• Consult with prospective clients to understand their business objectives and demonstrate the value of directory membership and advertising opportunities.
• Manage the full sales process from initial contact through to closing and onboarding.
• Maintain regular contact with existing clients to ensure satisfaction, retention, and account growth.
• Identify opportunities to increase client engagement and maximise the value of their subscription.
• Represent the business professionally at industry events, exhibitions, networking meetings, and trade gatherings where appropriate.
• Keep accurate records of client activity and opportunities within the CRM system.
• Stay informed on industry trends and market developments to identify new commercial opportunities.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience in business development, sales, account management, advertising sales, media sales, membership sales, or subscription-based sales.
• A confident and professional communicator who is comfortable building relationships over the phone and in person.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage your own workload.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Commercially aware with a consultative approach to selling.
• Organised and proactive, with excellent follow-up and customer service skills.
• Comfortable working in a flexible, hybrid environment.

What We Offer

• Flexible hybrid working.
• High degree of autonomy and trust.
• Opportunity to build and manage your own client portfolio.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Opportunity to join an ambitious business at an exciting stage of growth.
• Established prospect database and ongoing lead-generation support.
• Competitive salary with uncapped commission potential.
• Ongoing opportunities for personal and professional development.

Success in This Role

Success will be measured by your ability to build strong client relationships, generate sustainable subscription revenue, and contribute to the growth and reputation of the directory as we work towards becoming the UK's leading local trade directory.

Salary

32,000 basic salary

OTE 50,000+

Top performers 60,000+

Uncapped commission