Business Development Manager - Apprenticeships

Job Description This is a remote position. LT Selection is proud to be recruiting exclusively on behalf of our client. We believe that everyone we connect with an employer positively impacts the further education, skills, and employment sector. Job Title: Business Development Manager – Apprenticeships & Skills (Employer Engagement) Location: Hybrid (home-based with 1 day per week in Coventry – Wednesdays) Salary: £30,000 – £40,000 (depending on experience) Commission: Per enrolment (details below) Contract: Full-time, permanent Reports to: Head of Business Development / Commercial Director About the Organisation Our client is an established training provider delivering apprenticeships and funded skills programmes, with a strong reputation for learner outcomes, employer partnerships, and professional, modern marketing collateral that supports the sales process. They are now building a high-performing employer engagement team and are open to recruiting strong sales professionals from outside the apprenticeship sector (recruitment, education recruitment, professional services sales, L&D/HR solutions, marketing solutions, etc.). The Role This is a pure employer engagement / business development position focused on generating apprenticeship starts by engaging employers, identifying skills needs, and converting opportunities into agreed learner enrolments. You will operate as a “hunter” (new business) with clear targets and structured support, while working closely with internal teams who manage the enrolment and compliance process. This role suits someone who can win commitment quickly, follow up relentlessly, and build a strong pipeline through purposeful outreach and high-quality conversations. Key Responsibilities New Business Development (Hunter Focus) • Identify, engage, and win new employer partners across targeted sectors (including professional services and business functions) • Secure employer commitment and convert conversations into apprenticeship enrolments • Build and manage a consistent pipeline of qualified opportunities, using a structured approach to outreach and follow-up • Conduct effective discovery conversations to understand workforce needs and identify the best-fit apprenticeship solutions • Attend events and employer forums where appropriate to generate leads and build visibility Account Growth and Relationship Management (Farmer Mindset Where Needed) • Re-engage existing and lapsed employers to maximise starts and widen programme uptake • Expand relationships beyond “one learner” by uncovering broader workforce opportunities • Maintain professional, responsive communication and ensure employers feel well-supported and valued CRM, Data and Sales Process Discipline • Maintain accurate CRM records, segmentation, and notes to support reporting and nurture activity • Work with the wider team to support cleaner data, consistent processes, and proactive pipeline management • Provide regular updates on activity, pipeline, conversion rates and starts Collaboration and Continuous Improvement • Work closely with marketing, enrolment and delivery teams to ensure a smooth employer journey from enquiry to start • Contribute to improving team onboarding, scripts, templates, and sales playbooks • Take part in structured onboarding (academy-style) to learn the apprenticeship sector knowledge required to succeed Commission and Performance Structure (Summary) • Commission is paid per enrolment, with enhanced rates for new business starts • Commission is only paid when monthly targets are achieved (e.g., if target is 5 and you deliver 5, commission applies; if you deliver 4, commission does not apply) • Ongoing expectation, once established, is typically 15 starts per month (ramped up during the initial months) • Additional bonuses may apply for quarterly and year-to-date target achievement Essential Requirements • Proven experience in a target-driven sales, business development, or employer engagement role • Strong ability to generate opportunities, handle objections, close, and follow-up consistently • Confidence engaging senior stakeholders (HR, L&D, Operations, Directors) • Strong organisation and CRM discipline (accurate notes, segmented pipeline, activity tracking) • A proactive mindset with resilience, tenacity and personal accountability • Willingness to work hybrid, attending Coventry office every Wednesday Desirable Requirements • Background in recruitment (especially education recruitment) or consultative B2B solutions sales • Experience selling to HR/L&D stakeholders (training, learning solutions, talent, workforce development) • Knowledge of apprenticeships, funded training, or employability programmes (not essential – can be trained) • Experience attending employer events and converting warm leads into starts What You’ll Get • A sales role with a genuinely positive product and strong employer interest • A structured “academy-style” onboarding approach to learn the apprenticeship offer quickly • Modern marketing collateral and internal support that makes selling easier (not just “laptop and a target”) • Hybrid working with a consistent weekly team day in Coventry • Clear performance measures, commission structure, and progression opportunities as the team grows How to Apply Click I;m interested Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment to this role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. You must have the right to work in the UK. Any offer of employment may be subject to additional pre-employment checks in line with safer recruitment and organisational policy.