Head of Business Development
Salary £ 39,440 - £44,080 (£51,300 to £57,000 fte - depending on skills and experience)
Mix of homeworking and based at offices in Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire
Vacancy listed 07/04/2025
Application deadline 04/05/2025
Details
The Head of Business Development works closely with the CEO and has responsibility for all aspects of the development of BLCF’s business interests including long-term income growth, philanthropy, partnerships, communication and new business initiatives. They will nurture and grow the Foundation’s long-term growth income, secure funding for new initiatives and develop and deliver our CSR and social value work, extending the reach of our services to increase our revenue through the excellent communication of our business and strategic aims. Their duties will include identifying leads, pitching companies, NFP, government offices and local authorities, building and maintaining strong relationships with new and existing businesses and suppliers, whilst responsible for the overall strategic management and programme development of a portfolio of partnerships. They operate as part of the Senior Leadership Team (incl CEO and Head of Impact) they will contribute to strategic development and delivery of the foundations Strategic Plan, vision, and values.

Responsibilities


Work with the CEO and Head of Impact to develop plans and strategies to ensure quality services are delivered that meet organisational objectives and charitable articles to the highest standards. 

As part of the Senior Leadership team, work with, advise, contribute, and respond to the CEO and Head of Impact and the partnership they create to ensure they are deliverable and adequately resourced and costed and deliverable.  

Work with the CEO to set and implement Strategic Plan Delivery Plan targets and objectives and budgets to deliver them. Ensuring information is cascaded to all staff in their area and that staff connect to the Strategic Plan though their own workplans.  

Core Role Delivery


Work with the CEO and under their direction to identify, develop and deliver new partnerships and to increase revenue and business growth that support the Foundations long term sustainability and long-term income targets. Basing new work on evidence of need as identified by the Head of Impact . This includes but not exclusively development of new flowthrough opportunities, endowment partners, legacy, corporates, social value and CSR initiatives and all aspects of business growth.  

Provide support and advise to potential and existing partners about our work and proactively look to address inequality and fairer access to opportunities the Foundation offers. 

Oversees the team and external contractors tasked with effective communication with our corporate and business partners to ensure it is a means to drive partnership and business growth.

Staff & Contract Management


Ensure an appropriate, effective staff, freelance and volunteer structure to deliver the services; recruit and manage staff & volunteers and resources to achieve required service response and quality  

Ensure all staff development and review processes are undertaken including induction, appraisal, and performance, in line with required processes. Resolve performance issues among staff and volunteers engaged in delivering services  

Performance Management


Working under the direction of the CEO develop, agree, and secure agree all partnership agreements and MOU that support the emerging partnerships and ensure they are in line with the Donor Care Plan specifications.  

Working with the CEO and Finance, oversee and monitor all contract and partnership agreement terms with regards to agreed milestones and cashflow of fees and funds; anticipate problem areas and lead as necessary on mitigating action and ensure deliver of agreed targets. 

Work to the Head of Impact to inform monitoring reports as required to ensure clear and transparent delivery of agree contracts.  

Ensure appropriate levels of training are maintained and a good working understanding of the policies and procedures of the Foundation. 
 
Contribute to the Quality Accreditation process to ensure highest standard of the foundation are achieved.  

Relationship Management


Under the direction of the CEO develop and maintain proactive, collaborative and effective strategic relationships with corporate partners, commissioners, contract managers, business partners and funders to maximise the charity’s influence and ability to deliver quality services and grow it income and funding.  
 
Manage the Bedfordshire & Luton Funder Network to maximise opportunities for support, collaboration, and information sharing. 

Representing the Organisation


Maintain an excellent understanding of business and charity sector issues to better inform our work, ensuring information is cascaded to wider members of the team. 

Represent the Foundation at Regional and National events. 
 
Proactively develop and maintain an appropriate network of contacts in the grant making and business sectors. 
 
Represent BLCF positively, working closely with the CEO promoting its current work and future development opportunities.  

Provide proactive support to the CEO with other initiatives, where required 

Experience 


Significant and demonstrable experience of partnership working and income generation and growth with a wide range of businesses, funders, Trusts, Local Authorities and the VCSE   

Clear understanding of the wider voluntary and charity sector (D).  

Experience of working on delivery and negotiation of complex contracts and partnership agreements and range of successful funding applications to local and national funding initiatives.  
 
Considerable experience of developing business initiatives to drive successful organisations in line with Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) priorities. 
 
Experience in management and delivery of excellent communication campaigns, tools and teams (D) 
 
Understanding of need in the Bedfordshire County (D) 

Skills & Abilities 


Excellent personnel and communication skills and able to work effectively within a team and with external partners and business contacts. 

Excellent skill in processing information accurately and write succinct reports and agreements that’s show clear strategic alignments between partners and BLCF.  

Excellent networking skills able to establish good interpersonal relationships, rapport, and credibility with a wide range of people including business leaders, local and national government officials, Trustees, advisors, donors and wider stakeholders.  

A self-starter, able to act on own initiative and to organise, plan and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines.  

Demonstratable ability to work effectively under pressure and to demonstrate a professional approach in any situation.  

Fully computer literate including Word, Excel, Power Point and use of databases.  

Excellent knowledge of marketing communication and messaging methods and approaches to meet needs of target audiences.

Equality Issues


Able to demonstrate how diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) can be made integral to their work and its delivery.  
 
Some knowledge and understanding of equality issues and legislation relating to the charity sector.

Personal Attributes


Committed to excellent communication and the provision of high-quality services to a relevant range of partners.  

Ambitious, energetic and with an outward focus with a strong business mindset and experienced network of contacts. 

Highly motivated, with an enthusiasm and determination to build the resources available to grow the financial sustainability of BLCF through excellent business and income growth.  

Strong commitment to the philanthropic values of the Community Foundation 

Education & Training


Educated to degree level or equivalent or with work and personal relevant experience  

Other Requirements


Able to work evenings and weekends as necessary. 

Ability to access and work across all the county of Bedfordshire or other geographical areas as dictated by our funding streams, when necessary. To ensure we meet the business and operational requirements of the organisation. 

Current driving license and access to a vehicle or transport 
Benefits

25 days holiday per annum (fte) - rising 1 day to year after first 2 yrs to a max 28 days. Plus addition to public holidays

Notes

Dimensions of the role:

Contract is for 29Hrs a week

Day to day management of the following roles:

- Marcomms Officer
- Office Administrator
- Freelance Contracts (Marketing, IT, Others as required)
- Relevant volunteers and interns as directed by CEO as and when required

Working Environment:

Based at current business office at Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire but working flexible from home and on locations across the county as required.

Equalities:

The postholder will ensure that policies, procedures and activities for service delivery are revised and/or implemented in a way that supports equality for all. These activities should also reflect BLCF's commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) within the sector and in its work to support the communities of Bedfordshire & Luton as an equitable funder.

NB: This job description reflects the requirements of BLCF as of April 2025. The role and duties of the post are subject to change in line with the future development of BLCF. BLCF reserves the right to make such changes as are necessary and any changes required will be discussed with the post holder as appropriate.

We will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Act (2010) to enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post.

The post holder will ensure that BLCF's policies are reflected in all aspects of his/her work, those relating to:

(i) Equal Opportunities

(ii) Health and Safety

(iii) Data Protection Act (1984 & 1998)

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Karen Perkins, CEO at karen.perkins@blcf.org.uk or 01525 306690

To apply, please complete our application form AND submit a covering letter outlining your relevant skills and experience, explaining why you are the ideal candidate for the role.

Interviews will be taking place Thursday 15th May 2025.

Attached documents
Title File
Application Form - BLCF BLCF_Application_Form.doc
Job Description - Head of Business Development BLCF Job_Description_-_Head_of_Business_Development.pdf
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