Senior Business Development Advisor

Are you a high-performing sales professional looking for your next challenge? Do you thrive on building relationships, opening doors, closing deals and exceeding targets?

East Sussex College Group is looking for an ambitious, commercially focused Senior Business Development Advisor to drive business growth, generate new income streams and develop strategic partnerships across Sussex.

This is not a traditional education sales role. We want someone with a proven sales background who can identify opportunities, nurture relationships and convert conversations into commercial outcomes. Whether your background is in B2B sales, account management, business development, recruitment, training, professional services or another fast-moving commercial environment, we would love to hear from you.

Experience in education, apprenticeships or skills provision is beneficial, but not essential. We are more interested in your ability to sell, influence and build strong commercial relationships.

As a Senior Business Development Advisor, you will play a leading role in growing the College's employer engagement and commercial offer.

Working with senior business leaders across the region, you will identify workforce development needs, develop tailored solutions and secure new opportunities across apprenticeships, commercial training, adult skills programmes, industry placements and other business services.

You’ll manage a portfolio of key accounts while proactively generating new business through networking, referrals, relationship building and strategic account development.

If you’re an energetic, target-driven sales professional who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities and delivering results, we’d love to hear from you.

• Winning new business and generating commercial opportunities
• Building and managing relationships with senior decision-makers
• Developing strategic partnerships across Sussex
• Managing a strong sales pipeline through CRM systems
• Delivering against income and growth targets
• Identifying opportunities for apprenticeships, training and workforce development solutions
• Representing the College at networking events, business forums and employer meetings
• Mentoring and supporting colleagues within the Business Development team
• Working collaboratively with curriculum and operational teams to deliver customer-focused solutions

• Proven in generating new business and exceeding targets
• Experienced in B2B sales, account management or business development
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and business leaders
• A natural relationship builder with excellent communication skills
• Commercially astute and opportunity focused
• Organised, proactive and comfortable managing a busy pipeline
• Resilient, self-motivated and driven to succeed in a fast-paced environment

A competitive FE salary, generous annual leave & pension, access to funded teaching qualifications, apprenticeships and a range of other training courses to support career development, as well as many other benefits.

For any queries or to arrange an appointment to chat informally about the role please email  
Please note we are unable to accept CVs in place of an application under our obligations for Keeping Children Safe in Education.

East Sussex College is a values-driven Further Education college with over 1,300 colleagues and 5,500 students across campuses in Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, and Newhaven. We offer a wide range of programmes including A Levels, T Levels, vocational courses, higher education, and adult learning.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles require enhanced DBS checks and eligibility to work in the UK.

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