Business Development Manager

  • The British Society for Rheumatology
  • Aug 06, 2025
Full time I.T. & Communications Management

Job Description

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Manages: Business Development Executive
Salary range: £38,251 £47,940 per annum, depending on experience
Location: London EC4Y 8EE (Hybrid)
Contract: Permanent, full-time (31.5 hours over 5 days)

Job Purpose

Our Business Development Manager is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on creating and improving relationships, expanding a product portfolio, and working across an organisation to drive impact. This role has a wide remit which covers our existing products as well as identifying new income streams.

You ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a business development plan that maximises income streams, supports improvements in patient care, and strengthens our partnerships across the healthcare system. You ll support tenders and contract negotiations, fostering relationships that secure funding for key BSR initiatives whilst offering tailored customer service and account management to our partners.

You ll manage a business development administrator, who will focus on delivering contractual obligations in a timely manner. You ll coach and develop them to build confidence in account management and sales. This role requires a creative, impact-oriented leader who excels in both strategic thinking and hands-on execution.

Please note: This role may require travel, overnight stays and weekend work, for example at our conferences.

Main Responsibilties

Business Development Strategy

  • Alongside the COO, develop and execute a business development strategy for BSR that secures financially sustainable funding streams that support our drive to improve patient care
  • Lead on market research, product development and product lifecycle management
  • Support the Senior Management Team and Heads of Department to expand and improve our product portfolios to keep partners engaged in supporting our diverse membership

Relationship building and management

  • Lead relationship management with sponsors, partners and collaborators to provide exceptional and consistent account management
  • Liaise with and support internal teams with delivery to sponsors, partners and collaborators
  • Enable internal sharing of insight and intelligence about trends and movements with industry partners
  • Foster new strategic partnerships and relationships with UK and international organisations
  • Open up new funding opportunities that support BSR s strategic aims and activities

Team Leadership and Development

  • Lead and develop the Business Development Executive
  • Support teams across the business to meet ambitious financial targets
  • With the COO and Director of Marketing, Education and Events, manage our compliance with the ABPI pharmaceutical industry code and provide regular advice/training for colleagues
  • Alongside the COO, provide support to colleagues on tender and contract processes

Finances and Impact

  • Oversee BSR income streams, working closely with the finance team to ensure efficient financial process and cash flow
  • Manage the sales pipeline, ensuring financial trackers are up to date
  • Analyse data to ensure the business development strategy is effective, ambitious and realistic
  • Provide regular reports to the Senior Management

Person Specification

  1. Experience in business development, sales or fundraising
  2. Experience of pipeline tracking/projection/modelling
  3. Understanding of market research and product development
  4. Track record in account management and achieving financial targets
  5. Experience of best practice in tenders and contracts
  6. Ability to analyse data to harness insight and drive engagement
  7. Outstanding interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills
  8. Ability to coach staff to reach their potential
  9. Confident decision maker
  10. Commitment to our values


Timetable

The closing date for applications is Sunday 24 August 2025
Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing Monday 1 September 2025.

The selection process will include a first-round panel interview. Shortlisted candidates (top two) will then be invited to a second-stage interview.

Equity, Inclusion and Diversity statement

BSR is committed to encouraging inclusion, equity, and diversity in our workforce. We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our staff team. We try to reduce as many barriers as we can for those with a disability. We know that everyone is an individual, so please always tell us what we can do to support you.

We welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including those from minoritised communities, and those with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.