Business Development Executive

City of Portsmouth College; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 33,000; Part time

Job summary

An educational institution in Portsmouth is seeking a Business Development Executive to drive apprenticeship and professional opportunities. The role emphasizes building and maintaining relationships with local businesses, providing ongoing support for apprentices and employers, and developing promotional campaigns. Candidates should have experience in sales, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to identifying new business opportunities. A commitment to diversity and safeguarding is also required.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Generous Local Government pension

Access to staff development programmes

Onsite discounts at Hair Salon and Sports Centre

Free parking across campus

Qualifications

• Experience in a sales, account management or business development role, preferably in education.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local businesses.
• Provide support to apprentices and employers throughout the placement.
• Respond promptly to inbound inquiries and nurture leads.

Skills

Sales skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Proactive approach

Industry knowledge

Job description

Job Title

Business Development Executive

Location

North Harbour Campus

Salary

£32,496.89 Full Time Equivalent per annum

Hours of work

37 Hours per week, 52 Weeks per year, Part‑Time, Permanent

About us

At City of Portsmouth College, we aspire to be the employer of choice in the Portsmouth area, with a progressive, supportive, and rewarding workplace culture and one that offers competitive benefits for its staff. By joining us, you will personally be part of the change we are driving and will play a pivotal role in supporting the growth and development of our brilliant students, turning them into future leaders and innovators. Everyone at the College is part of the bigger picture and together, each role makes an impact and in turn a difference to our students learning journey.

We have courses on offer for students of all ages and stages covering A-levels, Apprenticeships, Vocational & Technical courses. We also offer Higher Education, Online learning and Community courses that appeal to the needs of the local community.

What we offer

• Annual Leave: 25 days total and closure for winter shutdown period in line with Hampshire County Council school holidays & statutory bank holidays
• Pension: Generous Local Government pension. Further information can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-services/pensions/local-government
• Learning & Development: Programmes by The Community Adult Education Department
• Staff Development: Access to the College staff development programmes and CPD
• Onsite Discounts: City of Portsmouth College Hair Salon & 50% off at the City of Portsmouth College Sports Centre
• Online Discounts: Unidays, Student Beans, and Totum with a City of Portsmouth College email address
• Parking: Free car parking across all campus sites (apart from Arundel)
• Blue Light Card: providing several discounts for clothing, electrical goods, food and days out, even concert tickets!

About the role

To support the identification and growth of apprenticeship and professional opportunities across the entire College. This includes sourcing new client leads, strengthening relationships with existing clients, and building a robust pipeline of skills and training opportunities that align with the College’s business plan and employer needs.

The role also acts as a “one-stop shop” for businesses, providing comprehensive support with apprenticeships and other employer-related services.

To excel in this role, you will need to be a proactive and have the ability to build and maintain relationships, identify new business opportunities, and closing deals will be crucial. Success in this role will also require the capacity to adapt to a dynamic and competitive market, continuously improve your knowledge of industry trends, and collaborate effectively with the team to drive growth and revenue.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local businesses and employers.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to both apprentices and employers throughout the placement process.
• Contribute to the development of promotional materials and campaigns aimed at employers and apprentices.
• Inbound Calls and Web Inquiries: Respond promptly to inbound inquiries and web leads, providing information and nurturing these leads to drive conversions.
• Develop and maintain employer relationships (existing and new clients) and maximise all opportunities for growth and repeat business.

To be successful in this role

• Experience in a sales, account management/executive or business development role, preferably within the education or apprenticeship sector.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• A proactive and enthusiastic approach to supporting students and employers.
• Knowledge of the local business environment and workforce needs.

Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are central to the work of City of Portsmouth College. This underpins the vision of the College to transform lives through providing exceptional education and training.

The College’s commitment to Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is reflected in the continued successful promotion of these strands through the curriculum, enrichment activities, and the range of direct and indirect student support services.

Pre‑Employment Checks

The City of Portsmouth College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in our college. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and two references.

We reserve the right to close the job advert when we have had successful applications, and it may not run for the full duration of the advert. We do not accept CVs from agencies for these roles.