Head of Business Development

Atkins Search are currently working in partnership with a reputable main contractor to recruit a Head of Business Development based across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Staffordshire regions.

Our client is a well-established, financially resilient, family-owned construction partner with a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality projects across the UK. Operating across multiple regions throughout the UK, they deliver projects up to £30 million in value across both public and private sector markets.

Their culture is built around collaboration, continuous improvement, sustainability and delivering meaningful social value. As part of their continued growth strategy, they are looking to appoint a Head of Business Development to lead regional growth, strengthen client relationships, and develop a sustainable pipeline of profitable work.

Our client is a privately owned contractor with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality projects across sectors including residential, healthcare, education, commercial and public sector developments.

Why Join?

• Established Reputation: A long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality projects across the UK.
• Diverse Portfolio: Delivering projects ranging from £1M to £30M across both public and private sector clients.
• Growth-Focused Business: Strong regional leadership team with ambitious growth plans across the Midlands and North.
• People-First Culture: A collaborative environment that encourages professional development and long-term career progression.
• Regional Focus: Projects and clients primarily located throughout the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Staffordshire regions.

As Head of Business Development, you will lead the regional business development strategy, driving sustainable and profitable growth across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Staffordshire regions.

This is a strategic leadership position that combines high-level market planning with hands-on client engagement. Working closely with regional leadership, pre-construction, commercial and operational teams, you will identify, develop and secure opportunities through frameworks, negotiated work and competitive tender routes.

You will play a key role in shaping the regional pipeline, building long-term client relationships and positioning the business to secure projects that align with its strengths, values and delivery capabilities.

• Develop and implement the regional business development strategy across priority sectors, clients and project types.
• Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of future opportunities aligned with turnover, margin and growth objectives.
• Identify and engage with opportunities through frameworks, negotiated routes and open-market tenders.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of market conditions, investment plans, planning activity, frameworks and competitor activity.
• Build trusted relationships with public and private sector clients, developers, consultants and key decision-makers.
• Develop strategic account plans for priority clients to maximise business opportunities.
• Engage with clients early in the procurement process to understand project drivers and provide value-led solutions.
• Lead opportunity qualification and go/no-go decision-making processes.
• Support pre-construction and bid teams by contributing to win strategies and client engagement plans.
• Maintain robust CRM data, pipeline reporting and forecasting accuracy.
• Represent the business across industry events, networking opportunities and stakeholder engagements.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and support to business development colleagues whilst promoting a one-team approach across the wider business.

The successful Head of Business Development will be an experienced construction business development professional with a proven track record of securing profitable work within a main contracting environment.

You will be a commercially astute leader who can operate strategically whilst remaining close to clients and live opportunities.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Demonstrable success in business development within a main contractor or wider construction environment.
• Strong understanding of public and private sector procurement routes.
• Experience developing opportunities through frameworks, negotiated work and competitive tendering.
• Broad sector knowledge across areas such as education, healthcare, residential, commercial and public sector construction.
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to assess opportunity fit, risk, margin and deliverability.
• Established network of client, consultant and industry relationships.
• Strong communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience collaborating with operational, commercial, design and pre-construction teams.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence business direction and growth plans.
• Ability to travel regularly across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Staffordshire regions.

As the Head of Business Development, you will be joining an established regional contractor with ambitious growth plans and a strong reputation within the construction market.

You will be given the platform to shape regional growth strategy whilst working alongside an experienced leadership team.

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Company car or car allowance
• Company bonus incentive scheme
• Excellent working environment and culture
• Long-term career progression opportunities
• Opportunity to influence regional growth and strategy
• Join a reputable, financially secure and privately owned business with a strong future pipeline

Atkins Search acts as an employment agency for the Built Environment including but not limited to Construction, Consultancy, Residential and Infrastructure sectors. By submitting your CV, you consent to Atkins Search processing your personal data in line with our Privacy Policy. At Atkins Search, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone throughout the recruitment process. Please note that any salary or benefits listed are indicative only and subject to suitability of skills and experience