First Travel Solutions are currently looking to recruit a Business Development Manager (Bids & Proposals) to join our Business Development team on a full time permanent basis.

The successful candidate will develop strong relationships with potential clients and be seen as the "go to" person, responsible for sales and market development in their specialist sector and the wider customer base. They will need to influence strategy, identify resource requirements and set priorities to maintain focus on commercial development and client expansion.

As well as primary responsibility for identified market sectors the role will also support the business development and wider commercial team with the bids and proposals process including bid writing and tender management.

This is a remote role which requires frequent UK travel.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Work with the Head of Business Development to deliver enhancement of revenue, profit, market share, client development for both existing and new business, with a proactive focus on value-added products and services.
• Ensure that the sales target is achieved by a mixture of proactive and reactive business development.
• Focus on new lead generation within their specialist sector and support for the whole of FTS.
• Deliver relevant research activities to identify new business opportunities including the review of tender portals.
• Provide full sales management with commercial opportunities, leading on proposals and in development of business opportunities.
• Undertake networking activity to ensure that the Brand and Service Portfolio is maintained and increased in the marketplace.
• Ensure that communication is optimised both internally and externally to ensure that the benefits of services are effectively communicated.
• Build links with relevant trade / professional organisations, ensuring ROI of membership fees or exhibitions.
• Engage in marketing support as required to develop and implement local or national campaigns.
• Scope out and manage associated marketing costs and budgets as required.
• Full sales reporting of lead development and sales activity required on a period basis using CRM and FTS internal reporting systems.
• To be flexible in the duties you carry out, which may vary from time to time depending on the needs of the business and your team.
• Ensure that any proposed new business is discussed within the business to identify any resource or operational impact is assessed. Any work secured mobilised through programme delivery team and briefed out to the rest of the business i.e. operations team, client accounts teams etc.

Skills/Experience

• Business Development/Sales Manager for a transport, FM or outsourcing contract services provider
• Strong track record of identifying opportunities and building fully qualified pipelines
• Able to demonstrate relevant experience of the sector in a sales related post.
• A proven track record of lead generation resulting in new sales delivery with high profile B2B clients and corporations.
• Use of networking, to build contacts and sales leads.
• Knowledge of PAX transport industry desirable.
• Extensive experience of building and managing strong formal tender responses and bid content writing.
• Ability to construct high quality targeted sales proposals in various media
• Must be comfortable and confident in a client facing position, able to align with and understand clients' requirements.
• Basic understanding of business Profit and Loss statements ideal.
• Tenacious and resilient, with the capability to remain calm and work effectively under pressure
• Highly customer orientated, with good commercial focus.
• Highly developed presentation skills and ability to interact effectively all levels.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate several activities simultaneously.
• Considers the customer at the heart of everything they do and supports and nurtures an environment of innovation and creativity.

Salary - Circa £50,000, plus a bonus of up to 15% cash based on business and personal performance

Benefits

• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Flexible working

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.