Interim Business Development Director

Together with our client we are looking for an Interim Business Development Director

Please note: this opportunity is available as a fixed-term contract for the period of one year or return of the role-holder, whichever is the earlier.

About the role:

As a Business Development Director, you will change leaders who change the world by leading our Flagship Pod of Open Programmes. In this strategic role, you will drive the growth, innovation, and success of a portfolio of flagship General Management and Leadership Open programmes. By providing leadership to the pod, managing a team that includes a Sales and Business Development Manager and a Senior Programme Manager, you will foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that achieves ambitious participant, revenue, and quality targets.

Main responsibilities:

Business development:

· Act as the primary point of contact for prospective participants on assigned programmes, engaging in active sales techniques to guide them through the 'prospect to applicant' cycle. This will involve personalised interactions via phone, email, and proactive outbound sales activity. Local and international travel may be required to meet potential participants, attend events, and target companies aligned with strategic goals.

· Ensure that assigned programmes meet or exceed participant, revenue, and profit targets by monitoring the sales pipeline, and strategically planning marketing and business development activities to drive registrations.

· Collaborate with the Marketing and Business Development teams to identify opportunities, understand market trends and competitors, and refine programme offerings. Contribute to the creation and execution of campaigns, including email outreach, newsletters, promotional materials, and event planning.

· Plan and execute promotional events for flagship programmes, working with faculty and colleagues to showcase the distinctiveness of the offerings and attract high-quality participants.

· Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure the programmes in the Flagship Pod are effectively represented online, devising compelling and innovative ways to highlight the Cambridge-distinctiveness of the portfolio.

Programme and portfolio management:

· Work with the Director of Open Programmes and the Open Learning Designer to explore and roll-out potential new Open Programmes which would sit within the Flagship pod. This may include global locations, ensuring due diligence, creating a viable business model, and overseeing development, logistics, and delivery.

· Lead programme improvements by collaborating with faculty, the Open Learning Designer, and the Strategic Change Lead to implement excellence initiatives and enhance participant satisfaction.

· Work with the Open Learning Designer to ensure the overall design and flow of programmes in the Flagship pod are aligned with excellence criteria.

Internal and external relationship management:

· Develop trusted advisor relationships with client stakeholders, gaining a deep understanding of their context and requirements to ensure programmes deliver exceptional value.

· Liaise with faculty throughout the programme life cycle, agreeing on delivery dates, sharing sales progress, and providing insight into participant profiles.

· Work with the Director of Open Programmes to roll out flagship programme reunions, designing innovative curricula to strengthen alumni relationships and foster long-term engagement.

· Stay informed on industry trends, market changes, and key players in relevant sectors to anticipate client needs and inform programme offerings.

· Maintain relationships with alumni of key programmes and develop potential future business.

· Collaborate closely with the programme management team to ensure smooth delivery and maintain strong internal relationships.

People management and leadership:

· Lead the Flagship Pod, taking responsibility for programmes in the pod meeting or exceeding targets. Provide clear direction, mentoring, and line management for the Business Development Manager and Senior Programme Manager. Foster a collaborative, high-performance environment and support the professional growth of team members.

· Translate the strategy for the Open business into objectives for the Flagship Pod and its members. Monitor progress, provide regular feedback, and conduct annual appraisals.

· Ensure quality improvement initiatives are implemented across all Flagship pod programmes, maintaining high standards and achieving consistent excellence.

Administration and reporting:

· Maintain oversight of programmes to ensure that required administrative tasks are completed by the team.

· Update and maintain participant and client information in the CRM system, ensuring accuracy and compliance with data protection regulations.

· Implement risk management strategies to mitigate potential issues and ensure smooth programme delivery.

· Ensure compliance with financial regulations and maintain accurate financial records in line with organisational policies.

· Utilise IT systems effectively for data management, reporting, and process efficiency.

About you:

Our ideal candidate should have the following qualities, skills and attributes.

· A degree, a postgraduate degree, MBA or equivalent experience.

· Substantial business development experience including interfacing with customers in consultative selling and working with senior human resources representatives.

· Broad understanding of business planning and selling skills, programme development and presentation competencies; cross cultural sensitivity, ability to respond quickly and flexibly to changing situations.

· Strong negotiation skills and in-depth experience of customer relationship management.

· Excellent writing, presentation, and project management skills with first-class attention to detail.

· Demonstrated understanding of challenges faced at executive levels of an organisation and demonstrated evidence of business awareness.

· Ability to work under pressure, be decisive during difficult situations/negotiations, and pay attention to detail while still keeping track of larger strategic perspective.

· Highly motivated, articulate, flexible, organised and team-oriented.

· Availability to travel internationally.

Interested? Apply now with your CV and we will be in touch

INDCMB