Business Development Manager

Cidori; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading apprenticeship provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive apprenticeship sales and employer engagement across priority sectors. You will develop strong employer partnerships, generate apprenticeship starts, and support employers in utilising funding options for workforce development. The role involves promoting the full apprenticeship portfolio, maintaining strong relationships with employers, and engaging with job centres and community organisations to drive successful placement outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in apprenticeship sales or employer-led training.
• Strong understanding of Levy and non-Levy apprenticeship funding.
• Ability to analyze performance data and make informed decisions.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new apprenticeship employers across targeted sectors.
• Generate and convert apprenticeship opportunities into confirmed starts.
• Promote the apprenticeship portfolio and represent the company at events.

Skills

Apprenticeship sales

Consultative sales skills

Building employer relationships

Commercial awareness

Strong administration skills

Strong IT capabilities

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving apprenticeship sales, employer engagement, and apprenticeship starts across priority sectors. The role focuses on developing strong employer partnerships, generating apprenticeship starts, and supporting employers to understand and effectively utilise Levy and non-Levy apprenticeship funding to meet their workforce development needs.

The Business Development Manager will also be responsible for a small number of ASF programmes across the North West including candidate referrals, and maximising positive destination outcomes for learners, building strong employer relationships and strategic referral partnerships. This includes proactively engaging with job centres, community organisations, employers and training partners to generate high quality referrals and job outcomes.

Working closely with curriculum, delivery, IAG, and operations teams, the post holder will ensure a high-quality employer and learner journey from initial engagement through to enrolment, retention, and successful completion.

Promoting ASF, Apprenticeships, and commercial training, and supporting employers to understand and utilise available funding and workforce development solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proactively identify, engage, and secure new apprenticeship employers across targeted sectors.
• Generate, manage, and convert apprenticeship opportunities and vacancies into confirmed starts.
• Sell Levy and non-Levy apprenticeship solutions, advising employers on funding rules, co-investment, and workforce planning.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with SME and Levy-paying employers.
• Act as the main commercial contact for apprenticeship employers, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and repeat business.
• Promote the full Cidori apprenticeship portfolio, including progression routes and additional standards.
• Represent Cidori at employer events, sector forums, networking events, and careers activities.
• Actively promote Cidori’s apprenticeship offer via LinkedIn, sharing case studies and employer success stories.
• Proactively engage with DWP, job centres, community hubs and employer networks to source referrals.
• Deliver high quality IAG to ensure learners join the right programme.
• Secure employer commitments for learner placements through job or apprenticeship vacancies.
• Work closely with IAG, admissions, tutors, and delivery teams to ensure smooth onboarding of apprentices.
• Maintain accurate employer and opportunity records within CRM systems.
• Provide timely reports on apprenticeship pipeline, starts, and revenue performance.
• Identify new apprenticeship standards, sectors, and partnership opportunities.
• Attend all development days, meetings, and training as directed.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Proven track record in apprenticeship sales or employer-led training provision.
• Strong understanding of Levy and non-Levy apprenticeship funding.
• Excellent commercial awareness and consultative sales skills.
• Ability to build relationships with employers at all levels.
• Strong administration, planning, organisation, and communication skills.
• Confident and effective team player.
• Strong IT and CRM capability.
• Ability to analyse performance data and make informed decisions.