Senior Business Development Manager

Job Description: Senior Business Development Manager

ARNO GB – Retail Design & Manufacturing

1. Role Title

Senior Business Development Manager

2. Role Purpose

The Senior Business Development Manager is responsible for expanding ARNO GB's client base and driving commercial growth within the retail design and manufacturing sector. This role requires a commercially mature, self-motivated individual with a genuine passion for retail, an appreciation for retail design, and the ability to convert cold leads into meaningful, qualified opportunities.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this individual will build pipeline from the ground up, deliver new business revenue, and work closely with both the Account Management team and senior leadership. The role also includes cross-functional collaboration with Design and Marketing, including light support for social media positioning and outreach activities.

3. Key Responsibilities

New Business Generation

· Develop a structured approach to cold outreach and lead generation, building a robust pipeline from scratch.

· Identify, pursue, and convert new client opportunities across retail, FMCG, consumer electronics, luxury, and broader brand-led sectors.

· Leverage HubSpot (advantageous) to manage prospects, track progression, and maintain CRM discipline.

· Lead all stages of the business development lifecycle: prospecting, qualification, capability presentation, proposal creation, negotiation, and closure.

Collaboration & Internal Interfaces

· Work closely with the Account Management team by handing over won business smoothly and ensuring long-term retention and growth potential.

· Collaborate with the Design team to create compelling proposals, bespoke presentations, and concept-led solutions.

· Provide light support to Marketing on messaging, sector insights, case studies, and social media content to enhance outreach and visibility.

· Engage with Operations and Production when scoping feasibility, timelines, and commercial expectations.

Retail, Market & Insight Contribution

· Maintain an active interest in retail environments, emerging material trends, branded space design, consumer behaviour, and in-store marketing evolution.

· Monitor competitive activity, sector opportunities, and market dynamics to inform strategic targeting.

· Provide leadership with clear insights, data-driven recommendations, and commercially relevant observations.

Commercial Strategy & Reporting

· Build and maintain a structured business development plan outlining sectors, targets, outreach mechanisms, and success metrics.

· Produce accurate forecasts and maintain CRM reporting for leadership visibility.

· Ensure all proposals meet ARNO GB's pricing model, commercial objectives, and margin requirements.

4. Required Skills, Experience & Competencies

Professional Experience

· 5–10+ years in business development, commercial sales, or new client acquisition within retail design, POS, shopfitting, experiential, or creative production industries.

· Proven track record of transforming cold leads into revenue-generating accounts.

· Experience supporting or integrating with marketing, design, and account management functions.

· Familiarity with HubSpot or similar CRM systems.

Technical & Commercial Skills

· Strong understanding of retail design, manufacturing processes, materials, and production workflows.

· Ability to craft tailored proposals and commercially strong value propositions.

· Comfortable with light marketing support, including content direction and social media coordination.

· Strong analytical skills, negotiation experience, and structured approach to pipeline development.

Competencies

· Mature, self-starting, and accountable.

· Passionate about retail and brand environments.

· Persuasive communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.

· Strategic thinker with strong organisational discipline.

· Resilient, driven, and commercially astute.

5. KPIs & Success Metrics

· New business revenue and margin contribution.

· Volume and quality of cold leads developed into viable opportunities.

· Lead-to-proposal and proposal-to-close conversion rates.

· Pipeline strength and diversification across target sectors.

· Smooth transition of new accounts into Account Management.

· Marketing/social contributions that strengthen market presence.

6. Ideal Personality Profile

· Enthusiastically engaged with retail and store experience trends.

· Comfortable operating independently and generating momentum from zero.

· Decisive, articulate, and collaborative.

· Confident in representing ARNO GB externally and influencing senior-level stakeholders.

7. Team Integration & Reporting

· Reports to: Managing Director and Head of Sales

· Key interfaces:

· Account Management Team

· Design & Creative

· Marketing and Social Media Support

· Operations & Production

· Works as a commercial engine for the business, feeding qualified opportunities into Account Management for long-term development.

9. Salary & Incentive Structure

· Salary: £50,000 + depending on experience

· Incentives: Commission structure based on new business introduction and revenue thresholds.

· OTE potential: Competitive and scalable with performance

·

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company car
• Company pension
• Life insurance
• Private medical insurance

Work Location: In person