Overview
Oxford Policy Management seeks to appoint a Business Development Director on a permanent basis. The position will be located in our Oxford office.
We are an international development consultancy working to improve lives through sustainable policy change in low- and middle-income countries. Our vision is for fair public policy that benefits both people and the planet.
Through our global network of offices, we work in partnership with national stakeholders and decision makers to research, design, implement and evaluate impactful public policy. We draw on our local and international sector experts to provide the very best evidence-based support. We deliver projects with expert knowledge and experience, and can be relied upon for excellence in all aspects of project delivery.
In a changing development landscape, we have built a strong reputation as a trusted and collaborative partner in developing policy and reform that delivers positive outcomes. Our analytical rigour, technical excellence, and market-leading innovation enables us to address some of the world’s most complex problems.
Position Summary
The Business Development Director role provides an exciting opportunity for a commercially focused leader to drive further success in our business development and sales, in support of the delivery of our strategy for growth, and further diversification of our client base. The position works closely with the key counterparts on the Senior Management Team (SMT) to craft and deliver shared strategic objectives.
Leading our business development and communications functions, the Business Development Director ensures that our investments in building business development and project acquisition capabilities sustain appropriate returns, with understanding of our evolving market position and shifts in our competitor landscape. They are responsible for further advancing our ability to establish and maintain mutually rewarding client relationships, including in relation to new funders, particularly key Foundation clients.
As OPM’s Business Development Director you will:
* Work closely with the CEO and SMT colleagues to develop and implement market engagement and business development strategies that align with overall business objectives.
* Steward the systematic application of industry best practice in business development and bidding.
* Take responsibility for the priority pipeline of opportunities, driving strategic bid decision-making.
* Enable increased market intelligence capability; including collating information on industry trends.
* Ensure business development activities are locally informed by sharp insight on market conditions.
* Deliver regular analytics for the SMT and Board on new business opportunities.
* Lead on major client acquisition and bidding activity.
* Participate in proposal reviews and lessons learned debriefs.
* Develop pricing and contract negotiation strategies to optimise profitability.
* Enhance commercial acumen across business development functions.
* Regularly review returns on investment in OPM’s positioning for key client markets.
* Steward the development and implementation of strategies that enhance our company's brand.
* Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to business development.
* Grow our network of partners, technical experts, and external consultants.
* Lead with respect, humility and accountability; foster an environment of continuous learning.
Key Qualifications / Experience / Skills / Behaviours
Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree with an Advanced Degree (e.g., Masters or PhD), or equivalent, relevant professional experience.
Knowledge and experience
* Excellent leadership skills with proven experience in building, developing, and leading a high-performing business development function.
* A track record of successfully achieving revenue targets within technical consulting or professional services organisations.
* In-depth knowledge of market dynamics and trends within international development.
* Highly developed commercial acumen, demonstrated by a strong track record in increasing profitability.
* Strategic thinker – experienced in aligning operational activities with broader business goals.
* Experience in working with project management and technical advisors, as well as establishing networks to support teaming strategies.
* Expertise in the development of BD strategies for ODA funders.
Skills & Behaviours
* A confident and visible leader who inspires colleagues and clients.
* Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively with diverse audiences.
* Self-motivated and results-oriented, able to set high standards for commercial performance.
* Exceptional communication skills with authority to a wide range of audiences.
* Able to build trusted, productive relationships internally and externally.
* Balances multiple priorities by effective planning and delegating whilst retaining accountability.
* Aligns to OPM’s values: we are ambitious, we have positive impact and together we make a difference.
Our Offer
* We enable colleagues’ capacity to grow professionally through enhanced learning resources.
* Our non-hierarchical culture values support, collaboration, and a rich diversity of perspectives.
* We provide an exceptionally generous annual leave entitlement and a hybrid working model.
* Wellbeing resources including a global Employee Assistance Programme.
* Competitive salary and contributory pension scheme.
Application
If you share our vision for fair public policy that benefits both people and planet, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application through our careers’ site by the advertised closing date.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role and candidates must have a pre-existing right to work in the UK for their application to be considered.
Oxford Policy Management is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the business.
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