Job Description

Business Development Manager

Application Deadline: 3 December 2026

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Marketing & Business Development

Compensation: £45,000 / year

Description

We are recruiting a Business Development Manager to drive engagement with public sector funding routes and develop strategic partnerships for our Flourish service. You’ll identify opportunities to grow our services, maximise contracting opportunities and strengthen Priory’s position as a provider of choice.

Working closely with Priory’s Bid, Operational and Service Development teams, you’ll help shape future services in line with the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and government priorities for drug and alcohol services. You’ll play a key role in developing collaborative pathways that support patients to return home or transition into community-based services.

This role would suit someone who has experience working with a prime provider or delivery partner within a collaborative contract would be beneficial, as would experience across sectors such as healthcare, local government, education, public sector outsourcing or the charity and voluntary sector.

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.

Please note, internally this role is knwon as Service Development Manager and this is what the contractual job title will be.

What you'll be doing

You’ll build relationships with commissioners, public sector organisations and delivery partners to identify opportunities for Flourish, develop new referral pathways and support sustainable service growth.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing relationships with local authorities, regional and national government, charities, prime providers and other partner organisations.
• Identifying framework contracts, tender opportunities and collaborative partnerships to support service growth and secure new funding.
• Monitoring referral activity and Average Daily Census (ADC) performance, identifying opportunities to improve service utilisation.
• Representing Flourish at local, regional and national meetings, sharing market intelligence and emerging opportunities with internal teams.
• Researching commissioning priorities, local needs and funding changes to inform service development plans.
• Working with the Marketing team to promote Flourish services and increase awareness of our pathways.
• Collaborating with colleagues across Operations, Finance, HR, Estates and Service Development to maximise opportunities for growth.
• Building effective links between external partners and operational teams to support high-quality service delivery and the development of pathways across Priory.

What you'll bring to the role

You’ll be a commercially minded and proactive business development professional, confident building relationships, identifying opportunities and turning them into tangible results. You’ll understand the importance of effective partnerships in delivering high-quality services and be motivated to support the growth of Flourish.

You’ll also bring:

• Experience of consultative and transactional sales, with the ability to grow existing services and develop new business opportunities.
• Experience of building relationships with a range of stakeholders, including commissioners, partner organisations and senior decision-makers.
• An understanding of partnership working, direct contracting, framework agreements and collaborative service delivery.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to identify opportunities that support sustainable growth and financial performance.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders and represent Flourish externally.
• The ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to support high-quality service delivery.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and deliver against agreed objectives.
• A proactive, adaptable approach to problem-solving, with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently in challenging situations.

Experience working with a prime provider or delivery partner within a collaborative contract would be beneficial, as would experience across sectors such as healthcare, local government, education, public sector outsourcing or the charity and voluntary sector.

What we will give you in return

We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.

• Car Allowance £4,200
• 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays + additional day’s leave for your Birthday!
• Annual leave entitlement increases based on length of service: 27 days after 5 years’ service and 30 days after 10 years’ service
• Length of service recognition awards – every 5 years
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Initial Disclosure Check Cost covered, if applicable to role
• ‘My Possible Self’ App and health-related benefits
• Online discounts and cashback rewards – Priory Perks
• Smart Technology scheme (qualifying period)
• Cycle to work scheme (qualifying period)
• Smart Holidays (qualifying period)
• Gym Flex (qualifying period)
• Healthcare Cash Plan – Simply Health Scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• ‘Cash for Colleagues’ – Employee referral scheme
• Access to development opportunities
• Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
• Leadership & management development
• Parental Leave Gift

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the full job description attached prior to making an application.

Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.