Business Development Manager

Reporting to: Fieldwork Director, then after approx. 6 months transitioning to Commercial Lead

Responsible for: n/a

Are you a driven and strategic thinker with a passion for building strong client relationships and identifying new business opportunities? In this newly created role, we are looking for a results-oriented Business Development Manager to drive growth and expand our client base. You will be at the forefront of our success, shaping the future of our business through innovative sales strategies and a deep understanding of client needs.

Acumen Fieldwork is a trusted leader in the market research industry, connecting businesses with real consumer, B2B, and healthcare insights. With a reputation for excellence, innovation, and a client-centric approach, we collaborate with leading brands, agencies, and researchers to provide reliable data that drives impactful decision-making. Our expertise spans qualitative, quantitative, online and healthcare research involving medical professionals, patients, and pharmaceutical studies. Whether gathering insights from consumers, business leaders, or healthcare experts, we ensure high-quality recruitment and project management to deliver meaningful and actionable results.

Our team is committed to providing innovative fieldwork solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients. Whether working on large-scale quantitative studies, in-depth qualitative research, or complex healthcare projects, we apply the same level of professionalism and precision to every study. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and love the challenge of developing partnerships that make an impact, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

Business Development and Sales

• Identify, target, and secure new clients in the UK market research industry, with a focus on healthcare, B2B, B2C and social research
• Develop and deliver sales plans to achieve revenue targets in line with internal sales targets and client mix in conjunction with capacity
• Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline
• Build relationships with new clients, gauging their needs and developing proposal to address these needs
• Pitching services to new clients
• Identify opportunities for growth in existing and emerging markets
• Work alongside the project delivery teams to ensure we are bringing in the best value work

Client Onboarding and Relationship Handover

• Ensure a seamless and efficient client onboarding process, setting clear expectations and ensuring smooth transition into the project teams
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure all necessary project details are communicated effectively
• Once project is commissioned, facilitate a structured handover to the fieldwork teams to maintain high success levels on projects

Tenders

• Monitor and identify relevant market research tenders
• Working with Commercial Team to manage tender process from start to finish, including pre-qualification, tender preparation, submission, and post-submission activities
• Develop comprehensive tender proposals that effectively address client needs, showcase the company’s capabilities, and differentiate us from competitors
• Work with internal teams to gather the necessary information and ensure compliance with tender requirements
• Manage the tender submission timeline, ensuring all deadlines are met and submissions are of the highest quality
• Track tender outcomes and analyse feedback to continuously improve the tender process and increase win rates
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in tendering organisations to enhance the company’s reputation and access to future opportunities

Research Focus

• Attending conferences and events to build relationships with industry partners and stay up to date with new trends
• Have a strong understanding of our services, the competition in the industry and positioning
• Stay informed on regulations and ethical considerations specific to healthcare and social research

What you need to have:

1. Proven track record in business development and sales, ideally within market research

2. Strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies

3. Experience in identifying and responding to market research tenders

4. Excellent communication, negotiation and presentations skills

5. Ability to work independently and as part of a team

6. Strong organisational and time management skills

7. Knowledge of industry regulations

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

• Commission pay

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Referral programme
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Salford M3 5DF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: BDM0325