Business Development Manager - Research Management

Business Development Manager - Research Management

United Kingdom

Job Details

Job Type: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Reports into: Head of Product

Working style: Hybrid - A blend of working from home and your nominated hub office. We have hubs located in London, Bristol, Manchester and Oxford.

Salary: £51,000 per annum (negotiable based on experience) + comprehensive benefits package

Closing Date: 27th July

About the role

This is a newly created role, offering a unique opportunity to join at a pivotal stage and help shape the future growth and long term sustainability of Jisc's research and library services portfolio.

Reporting to the Head of Product, the Business Development Manager will drive sales growth and build strategic partnerships across key international markets, with a particular focus on North America and Europe. You'll play a critical role in expanding the reach and adoption of Jisc's services across academic and adjacent sectors.

You'll take a consultative approach to sales, understanding complex customer needs and positioning solutions that deliver real value. Managing your own pipeline, you'll be confident working across a diverse product portfolio-leading demonstrations, responding to stakeholder requirements and closing opportunities.

Key responsibilities

• Growing and nurturing strategic partnerships, while identifying new opportunities in emerging markets
• Developing and delivering a targeted sales plan, underpinned by market insight and clear prioritisation
• Achieving commercial targets and supporting the long term sustainability of the portfolio
• Collaborating closely with product, marketing and international partners to align activity and maximise impact
• Adapting your approach to different regions, recognising local market dynamics and sector challenges
• Act as a strong voice of the customer-bringing market insight back into the organisation to inform product development and influence future direction

What you'll be doing

• Proactively identify and develop new markets while growing existing sales across Jisc's research and library services portfolio
• Build and strengthen relationships with international sales partners, while identifying and onboarding new partners to support expansion
• Develop a deep understanding of the challenges facing higher education institutions, libraries and research offices-particularly in areas such as collections management, research outputs and institutional knowledge systems
• Represent Jisc at key industry events, conferences and networks, with national and international travel as required
• Deliver engaging webinars, presentations and product demonstrations to customers, prospects and partners
• Establish and maintain effective partner support processes, including reporting and performance tracking
• Collaborate closely with product teams to identify market trends, user needs and opportunities for portfolio innovation
• Act as a strong advocate for customers and partners, ensuring their perspectives shape product development and roadmap priorities

Requirements & qualifications

• Proven experience in B2B technology sales, covering both new business development and account management
• Strong track record of closing new business and managing opportunities through a structured sales pipeline
• Experience generating leads and developing opportunities from prospect through to conversion
• Demonstrated success working with international stakeholders across different markets and regions
• Understanding of the research lifecycle, scholarly communications or library systems
• Experience working with data, analytics or research management solutions
• Previous people management or team leadership experience
• Familiarity with or similar CRM systems
• Highly organised, self motivated and able to manage priorities effectively
• Comfortable working towards and exceeding sales targets
• Confident using and engaging with technology products and solutions
• Proven ability to work effectively within a remote or distributed team
• Strong consultative sales approach, focused on understanding customer needs
• Skilled in account and relationship management, building long term partnerships
• Confident presenter, able to engage and inspire a range of audiences
• Ability to deliver compelling live demonstrations of technology products
• Capable of leading and delivering projects from planning through to execution
• Effective use of CRM systems to manage pipeline and customer interactions
• Demonstrable track record of consistently exceeding commercial targets
• Formal sales training (e.g. Miller Heiman, SPIN, or similar methodologies)

Benefits

• Flexible work pattern, which can adapt to suit your schedules and personal commitments
• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) that includes three closure days over Christmas
• Buy up to an additional 5 days leave during the flexible benefits window
• A range of wellbeing lifestyle benefits including company paid health care cash plan, mental health first aiders and support
• A company culture of continuous learning with access to thousands of LinkedIn Learning courses, and lots of resources and opportunities to support your development
• Financial well being support including access to preferential loan and savings plans, mortgage advice, will writing tools and support and resources to help you make the most of your money
• A wide range of discounts and cashback from retailers and big name high street stores
• Family friendly policies including enhanced parental, maternity and paternity and co parental leave as well as opportunity for career breaks
• Support your volunteering with up to 3 days volunteer leave

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Jisc believes our people make all the difference in cultivating an inclusive culture that welcomes ideas, encourages innovation, and values belonging.

We work hard to create an equitable experience for our candidates and workforce which embraces all aspects of their identity including race and ethnicity, religion and belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, trans identities, age, class, disability, neurodivergence, or veteran status.

Employment type and sponsorship

Jisc has an active sponsor licence to recruit on a Skilled Worker Visa basis. Candidates requiring sponsorship should determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant Home Office criteria. Jisc does not offer any financial reimbursement towards applicant costs such as re location, Skilled Worker Visa and dependant costs or the immigration health charge.