Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager - Children's Social Care

Location: Leeds, LS25 (Hybrid - 2 days per week in the office) Salary: £55,000 + 10% Performance Bonus

An established and growing provider of regulated children's services is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to drive growth across its portfolio of supported accommodation and residential services.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded professional with a strong understanding of children's social care, local authority commissioning, placements, and regulatory frameworks. Working closely with senior operational leaders, you will play a pivotal role in expanding services, increasing occupancy, strengthening commissioner relationships, and supporting strategic growth initiatives.

The Opportunity

Reporting to a senior leadership team member, you will act as a key link between operations, commissioning stakeholders, and business development functions. You will lead placement activity, identify growth opportunities, develop strategic partnerships, and provide valuable market intelligence to support business performance.

The role combines strategic business development, stakeholder engagement, placement management, and performance reporting, making it ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced and purpose-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Development

Partner closely with operational leadership teams to support sustainable service growth and occupancy.

Align business development activity with operational capacity and strategic priorities.

Provide market intelligence, commissioner insights, and regulatory guidance to inform decision-making.

Support regional teams in maximising placement opportunities and responding effectively to local demand.

Placements & Referral Management

Lead and manage a placements function responsible for handling high volumes of referrals.

Oversee the full referral-to-placement process, ensuring effective matching and positive outcomes.

Monitor referral pipelines, placement conversions, and occupancy trends.

Produce regular analysis and recommendations for senior leadership teams.

Market Growth & Opportunity Development

Identify and secure new business opportunities across children's social care and education-related services.

Conduct market and competitor analysis to support strategic planning and service positioning.

Contribute to the development and expansion of existing and new service offerings.

Commissioner & Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain strong relationships with local authority commissioners and key stakeholders.

Promote services through networking, sector forums, strategic meetings, and industry events.

Develop collaborative partnerships that support long-term growth objectives.

Regulatory & Compliance Support

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks and sector developments.

Ensure service growth initiatives and placement activity remain fully compliant.

Provide internal guidance on regulatory requirements and best practice.

Performance Reporting & Analysis

Produce weekly performance reports and management information packs for senior leadership.

Monitor and report on

Referral volumes and conversion rates

Occupancy performance

Placement pipelines

Business development opportunities

Market and competitor activity

Analyse trends, risks, and opportunities, providing actionable recommendations to support strategic decision-making.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have

A minimum of 3 years' experience in business development, commissioning, placements, or strategic leadership within children's social care.

Strong knowledge of supported accommodation and/or residential children's services.

Experience working closely with operational teams to drive growth and improve service performance.

Proven success developing relationships with local authorities, commissioners, and key sector stakeholders.

Experience managing complex referral and placement processes.

Excellent commercial awareness and an ability to identify and convert growth opportunities.

Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting performance data and market intelligence.

Outstanding communication and relationship-building abilities.

Knowledge of commissioning frameworks, procurement processes, and funding pathways within children's services.

A relevant qualification in Social Care, Business, Housing, or a related discipline (desirable).

Package

£55,000 basic salary

10% annual performance bonus

Hybrid working (2 days per week in the Leeds LS25 office)

Opportunity to join a growing organisation with ambitious expansion plans

Collaborative senior leadership environment

Career development and progression opportunities

If you have a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people, combined with the commercial expertise to drive sustainable growth, we would love to hear from you.