Business Development Manager

Humber Recruitment are pleased to be resourcing a Business Development Manager for a valued client of ours based in Preston.

Location: North West (with regular national travel)
Reporting to: Commercial Director / Senior Leadership Team
Division: Scaffolding, Hoists & Powered Access
Hours: Full-time, Permanent

About the Client

Our client is a rapidly growing access solutions provider specialising in scaffolding, hoists, mast-climbing work platforms (MCWPs) and specialist working-at-height systems. With a strong existing presence in the North West and an expanding national footprint, they support tier 1 contractors, developers and industrial clients across major infrastructure, construction and refurbishment projects.

As part of their continued growth strategy, they are seeking a dynamic, commercially driven Business Development Manager to expand its client base and secure profitable project wins across all access divisions.

Role Purpose

The Business Development Manager will take strategic ownership of identifying, pursuing and securing new business opportunities across scaffolding and powered access. The role will combine proactive market engagement, structured account development, and strong commercial negotiation to drive revenue growth and increase the Client’s market share.

The Business Development Manager will serve as the key external face of the Client, strengthening relationships, promoting our technical capabilities, and ensuring clients receive a high-quality, responsive, and reliable service from initial enquiry to contract award.

Key Responsibilities

1. New Business Growth

• Proactively identify high-value opportunities in construction, industrial, refurbishment, rail and infrastructure markets.
• Develop a structured pipeline covering short-term wins, medium-term bids and long-term strategic prospects.
• Prospect and engage new main contractors, developers, local authorities and framework providers.
• Attend client offices, sites, networking events, trade shows and industry forums to build visibility and influence.
• Identify early project leads from planning portals, frameworks, supply chain notices, market intelligence, etc.
• Prepare and deliver professional company presentations, capability briefs and tender submissions.

2. Commercial & Tendering Support

• Work closely with Estimators and the Commercial team to prepare competitive bids and proposals.
• Provide accurate project intelligence, programme insights and risk items to support pricing strategies.
• Negotiate hire rates, contract terms, prelims, variations and value engineering proposals.
• Ensure pricing aligns with operational capability, HSEQ requirements and margin targets.
• Assist in producing contractual documents, LOIs, schedules of rates, framework submissions and PQQs.

3. Key Account Management

• Manage and develop relationships with both new and existing clients to maximise repeat business.
• Conduct quarterly account reviews to discuss performance, opportunities and service improvements.
• Increase the Client’s share of customer spend across scaffolding, hoists and MCWPs.
• Identify and pursue cross-selling opportunities.
• Maintain consistent communication to ensure client satisfaction and early resolution of issues.

4. Market Intelligence & Strategy

• Monitor competitor activity, pricing, innovation and legislative changes (HSE, TG20, SG4, MCWP safety).
• Track market indicators and identify emerging sectors or regional opportunities.
• Provide monthly Business Development activity reports, forecasts and strategic recommendations.
• Support marketing material creation: case studies, project profiles, and social media content.

5. Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with Contracts Management, Operations, Transport and HSEQ to ensure smooth project handovers.
• Attend internal scheduling/planning meetings to align new work with operational resources.
• Participate in risk reviews, temporary works discussions and client pre-start meetings.
• Maintain a joined-up approach across all departments to enhance client experience.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• New revenue generated per quarter and annually (scaffolding + powered access).
• Pipeline value and conversion rate.
• Number of new accounts opened per quarter.
• Growth within existing accounts (repeat orders, increased share of spend).
• Margin-quality of secured work.
• Cross-selling success.
• Client satisfaction and retention.
• Tender win-rate.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Business Development or Sales within:
  • Scaffolding
  • Powered Access / Hoists / MCWPs
  • Temporary Works
  • Construction plant hire
  • Specialist access / working-at-height sectors
• Strong network within tier 1 and tier 2 contractors.
• Understanding of hire models, dayworks, variations and commercial frameworks.
• Ability to read drawings and understand access and temporary works requirements.
• Excellent negotiation, closing and commercial skills.
• Strong communication, presentation and relationship-building ability.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Familiarity with TG20, SG4, temporary works processes and HSE guidance for hoists/MCWPs.
• Experience with framework agreements and multi-project account management.
• Experience selling into rail, civils, utilities, industrial or high-rise residential sectors.

Person Profile

• Confident, articulate and credible with senior stakeholders.
• Highly driven, proactive and self-motivated.
• Organised and capable of managing a large number of live opportunities.
• Strategic thinker with long-term vision.
• Resilient, ambitious and target-focused.

Package & Benefits

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• Company car or car allowance
• Discretionary annual bonus based on company performance
• Pension scheme
• 22 days holiday + bank holidays
• Laptop, phone and business expenses
• Excellent growth and progression potential as the business expands

To apply for the position, click the apply button below or at the top of the page and complete the form. For more information on the role, call our team on 01472 729768 and we will be happy to assist. You can visit our jobs page to see our full list of available vacancies.

Never miss our latest vacancies by signing up to our mailing list and receive them straight to your inbox.