Business Development Manager - Early Careers (Mat Cover)

About the role

We’re seeking a dynamic relationship builder to foster long-term partnerships with employers across the UK.

An amazing opportunity to be part of a UK charity with a bold social purpose - helping young people and early careers professionals discover more in themselves than they ever thought possible.

We’re looking for a dynamic and motivated individual to grow and develop new long-term partnerships with employers across the UK, focusing on Apprentices, Graduates, and Future Leaders. You’ll be helping businesses invest in the next generation of talent by connecting them with Outward Bound’s experiential learning programmes that accelerate personal growth, resilience, teamwork, and leadership in early careers cohorts.

Your focus will be on building strong relationships, understanding workforce development needs, and positioning Outward Bound as the partner of choice for early talent development.

Occasional evening, weekend, and overnight work will be required as part of the role, including attending client visits, taster sessions, and visits to our Outward Bound Centres.

What you'll be doing

As Business Development Manager, you will:

• Secure mainly new and some key repeat business to meet personal, and team, quarterly and annual targets.
• Lead on developing new partnerships within key industry sectors for Apprentice, Graduate, and Emerging Leader programmes.
• Undertake client learning needs analysis to understand early career development goals and challenges.
• Produce compelling proposals that align Outward Bound programmes with organisational objectives.
• Represent Outward Bound at early careers events, conferences, and employer network sessions.
• Maintain accurate client records via our CRM system and ensure timely follow-up and reporting.
• Liaise with internal delivery and marketing teams to ensure client needs are met and opportunities are maximised.
• Drive new business through research, networking, referrals, and sector insights.
• Contribute ideas to help shape Outward Bound’s early careers strategy and offer to stay relevant in a fast-changing employment landscape.

You’re a great fit if you...

• Excellent communications skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with internal and external professionals.  A strong understanding of the apprenticeship and graduate development programmes, and talent pipelines.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail, able to manage multiple projects and maintain consistent follow-up.
• Confident in presenting to clients, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences (HR, L&D, operational teams, senior leadership).
• Good negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experienced in LinkedIn / LinkedIn Sales Navigator for prospecting and building connections within early careers networks.
• Proficient in Microsoft systems and CRM tools.
• Knowledge of or interest in experiential learning, leadership development, and outdoor education is an advantage.

How to apply

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the young people we support. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value the unique perspectives they bring.

If you are interested, please drop an email with a up to date CV and covering letter (no longer than one side) to Sarah Shutt, [email protected] 

Application deadline: Monday, 27 July 2026.

First round interviews: 6th/7th August 2026, virtually. 

Second round interviews:  Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

If there’s anything about the interview process that worries you or will make it hard for you to demonstrate your skills and competence, please let Sarah know. We’re happy to discuss adjustments to our standard processes so that we can find the best candidate for the job.