Business Development Officer

Department: Business Development – SFJ Awards

Location: Sheffield Office, with hybrid working available

Pay Scale: £35,000 to £43,000 per year

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

SFJ Awards

SFJ Awards are a regulated Awarding Organisation, delivering high quality qualifications, and custom certification for learners through Approved Centres in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. We are also an Apprenticeship End-Point Assessment (EPA) Organisation approved by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to deliver EPA to apprentices for a growing number of apprenticeship standards in England. SFJ Awards is part of the Workforce Development Trust group.

Job summary

SFJ Awards provides a range of Awarding Organisation and assurance functions, including regulated qualifications and apprenticeship end-point assessment. The overall purpose of this role is to increase the volume and value of revenues achieved from SFJ Awards products and services. The post holder will carry out research, sourcing and analysing relevant data sources to identify and recommend new product/service opportunities. They will use their communication, engagement and commercial skills to support existing customers to increase their activity with SFJ Awards and to secure new customers, working both independently and as an effective team player.

The post-holder will benefit from an understanding of how qualifications, apprenticeships and certification products are developed, delivered, managed and quality assured, and will enjoy influencing, negotiating and building commercial relationships with new and established customers and stakeholders.

This role requires someone who thrives on being organised yet dynamic enough to keep up with innovations and developments within the dynamic landscape of vocational qualifications, education and training.

What is the impact of the role on the business?

The impact of the Business Development Officer role on the organization is substantial, as it directly contributes to SFJ Awards' financial performance, market positioning, and long-term growth. By driving revenue through new business and expanding client relationships, the role supports the organization's financial stability and growth targets. Additionally, through market research and competitor analysis, the officer ensures that SFJ Awards remains adaptable to industry changes, allowing it to stay competitive and meet evolving customer demands. Enhanced client engagement and increased product uptake build customer loyalty, strengthening SFJ Awards' reputation and expanding its footprint in the vocational education sector.

Furthermore, cross-departmental collaboration fosters a cohesive approach to growth strategies, while feedback-informed product development helps SFJ Awards innovate and stay relevant. Collectively, these activities position SFJ Awards to sustain its role as a leading awarding body in its sector.

Key business skills necessary for the role?

The Business Development Officer at SFJ Awards requires a range of key business skills, including market research and analysis to identify trends and growth opportunities, alongside strong sales and negotiation abilities for securing new clients and expanding existing relationships. Customer relationship management skills are essential for building loyalty and fostering long-term partnerships, while strategic thinking aligns business activities with organizational goals.

Financial acumen supports profitable decision-making, and project management ensures effective coordination of multiple initiatives. Clear communication is crucial for presenting complex product information and analyses, while collaboration with marketing, PR, and other departments enhances coordinated growth efforts. Adaptability to industry changes and resilience in overcoming challenges further strengthen the officer's capacity to drive SFJ Awards' growth and success in a competitive market.

What does the daily work look like?

The daily work of the Business Development Officer at SFJ Awards involves a blend of strategic planning, client engagement, and data-driven decision-making. The officer typically starts by reviewing and analysing market trends and customer data to identify new business opportunities or areas to deepen existing client relationships. A significant part of the day involves communication whether it's reaching out to potential clients, following up with current customers to increase product uptake, or collaborating with the marketing team to implement promotional campaigns and customer engagement strategies.

The officer may also conduct competitor analysis, interpreting data from various sources to assess how SFJ Awards' products perform in comparison to others. This analysis is used to inform recommendations for new product developments or adjustments to current offerings.

The role often requires preparing proposals and costed solutions for clients, attending meetings with internal teams to align strategies, or engaging in sales-oriented discussions with clients. Additionally, the officer participates in regular team updates, where they share insights, discuss sales targets, and strategise around upcoming engagement events like conferences or client meetings.

Throughout the day, the officer manages multiple tasks, balancing deadlines and priorities, which requires strong organisational skills. They also document client feedback and insights from interactions, using this information to suggest improvements or new initiatives. The dynamic and varied nature of this role keeps each day unique, with a focus on driving business growth and fostering strong customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively monitoring, researching and reporting on market trends to identify potential new customers and emerging opportunities.
• Influencing existing customers to increase and expand their uptake of existing SFJ Awards products.
• Working closely with the marketing function to implement SFJ Awards' marketing and customer engagement plans.
• Working independently and in collaboration with others to deliver annual growth in market share and revenues.
• Regularly interrogating published data sources to inform market and competitor analysis, the comparative assessment of product performance and the identification of market trends and opportunities.
• Generating accurate and appropriate analyses and reports to support the acquisition of new customers, the establishment of beneficial relationships with partner organisations, and ongoing improvement in the commercial performance of products and services.

Please include your CV when applying with a Cover letter explaining why you would be suitable for this role.

You can apply through our website.

This job requires some days in the office. Please consider if you are willing to relocate before applying.

Please only apply if you currently have a valid right to work in the UK.

• Generous annual leave entitlement up to a maximum of 28 days, plus public holidays and a potential Christmas closure.
• Flexible working - 50% working from home with a dress for your day approach.
• Staggered start and finish time.
• We provide enhanced leave, bereavement, carers, maternity, paternity and sickness leave.
• Health and wellbeing benefits, access to our mental health first aiders, a confidential employee assistance programme, free eye tests and payment for an annual flu jab.
• Enhanced pension scheme, with a contribution matching up to a combined 12%, along with death in service coverage at three times annual salary.
• Flexible employee benefits, portal including a cycle to work scheme.
• Buy annual leave scheme.
• Organisational development days and departmental training budgets.
• Payroll giving, this is a tax-free way to donate to any charity, good cause or place of worship.

The Workforce Development Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone.

If your experience differs a little from what is outlined in the job description, or you are missing a desired qualification, yet you think you can bring value to this role, please apply, we would like to hear more about you.

We strongly encourage people of all gender, religion, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

If you need any reasonable adjustments at any point, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to advise on your preferred pronouns, for example she/her, he/him, they/them etc.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Business Development
• Industries
• Non-profit Organizations