Job Description

Overview:Oxford Policy Management seeks to appoint a Business Development Director on a permanent basis. The position will be located in our Oxford office.We are an international development consultancy working to improve lives through sustainable policy change in low- and middle-income countries. Our vision is for fair public policy that benefits both people and the planet.Through our global network of offices, we work in partnership with national stakeholders and decision makers to research, design, implement and evaluate impactful public policy. We draw on our local and international sector experts to provide the very best evidence-based support. We deliver projects with expert knowledge and experience, and can be relied upon for excellence in all aspects of project delivery. We work collaboratively, with ambition, to help deliver impactful public policy that will bring about lasting change.In a changing development landscape, we have built a strong reputation as a trusted and collaborative partner in developing policy and reform that delivers positive outcomes. Our analytical rigour, technical excellence, and market-leading innovation enables us to address some of the worlds most complex problems.Global economic and political shifts are changing the role of foreign aid for many recipient countries. xe2x80x98Localisation in a mix of guises is becoming a more powerful driver of our work building on our long-standing investment in OPM offices across the countries where we work; two-thirds of our payroll is now outside the UK. In addition, we are developing new, strategic approaches in the way we develop and strengthen our consultancy business, both including, and going beyond, the traditional ODA-funded model.We are in an exciting transition phase: from rebuilding conventional capability to win and deliver ODA-funded work towards a future with an operating platform that leverages established capability to deliver innovative projects and client services, for a mix of funders internationally.Position Summary:The Business Development Director role provides an exciting opportunity for a commercially focused leader to drive further success in our business development and sales, in support of the delivery of our strategy for growth, and further diversification of our client base. The position works closely with the key counterparts on the Senior Management Team (SMT) to craft and deliver shared strategic objectives, to work with ambition, create positive impact, and to make a difference.Leading our business development and communications functions, the Business Development Director ensures that our investments in building business development and project acquisition capabilities sustain appropriate returns, with understanding of our evolving market position and shifts in our competitor landscape. They are responsible for further advancing our ability to establish and maintain mutually rewarding client relationships, including in relation to new funders, particularly key Foundation clients.The Business Development Director provides support and strategic leadership to the globally dispersed teams reporting to them, further strengthening capabilities for successful business development through effective workforce planning aligned to business objectives, requirements, and company standards. They ensure that business development targets are met or exceeded and that strategies to enhance the companys brand, reputation and recognition are successfully implemented.As OPMs Business Development Director you will:

• Work closely with the CEO and SMT colleagues to develop and implement market engagement and business development strategies that align with overall business objectives.

• Steward the systematic application of industry best practice in business development and bidding, including standardised processes, gates, and tools.

• Take responsibility for the priority pipeline of opportunities, driving strategic bid decision-making and overall division business development processes in line with OPM strategy and budget.

• Enable increased market intelligence capability; including collating information on industry trends, innovations, relationships and partnerships as they emerge.

• Ensure business development activities are locally informed by sharp insight on market conditions and appropriately supported through leverage of our global resources.

• Deliver regular analytics for the SMT and Board on new business opportunities, the pipeline of opportunities, and business acquisition performance.

• Lead on major client acquisition and bidding activity.

• Participate in proposal reviews and lessons learned debriefs identifying improvement opportunities for future proposals.

• Develop pricing and contract negotiation strategies to optimise profitability and ensure that commercial agreements align with our long-term objectives.

• Enhance commercial acumen across business development functions; work with relevant finance business partners to support broader commercial understanding to achieve strong commercial bids.

• Regularly review returns on investment in OPMs positioning for key client markets.

• Steward the development and implementation of strategies that enhance our company's brand and recognition within the market.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to business development, client growth and diversification, and bidding activities.

• Grow our network of partners, technical experts, and external consultants to support teaming strategies and, key personnel recruitment.
• Lead with respect, humility and accountability; foster an environment of continuous learning, development and professional growth throughout the business and for teams under direct management.

Key Qualifications / Experience / Skills / Behaviours:Qualifications

• Bachelors degree with an Advanced Degree (e.g., Masters or PhD), or equivalent, relevant professional experience.

Knowledge and experience

• Excellent leadership skills with proven experience in building, developing, and leading a high-performing business development function.

• A track record of successfully achieving revenue targets, and identifying and pursuing strategic opportunities, within technical consulting or professional services organisations.

• In-depth knowledge of market dynamics and trends within international development.

• Highly developed commercial acumen, demonstrated by a strong track-record in increasing profitability through business development activities.

• Strategic thinker experienced in aligning operational activities with broader business goals, in particular OPMs purpose to have a positive impact on public policy.

• Experience in working with project management and technical advisors, as well as experience in establishing networks and partnerships to support teaming strategies and key personnel recruitment.

• Expertise in the development of BD strategies for ODA funders, including FCDO, USAID, DFAT, EU and/or other donors; articulating theories of change, developing results frameworks, and constructing programme strategy and activities.

Skills & Behaviours

• A confident and visible leader who inspires colleagues and clients with care and passion for their work, leading by example.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively with a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders.

• Self-motivated and results- oriented, able to set high standards for commercial performance.

• Exceptional communication skills with authority to a wide range of audiences. Able to explain complex business and technical concepts to audiences in an approachable way to influence and drive adaption.

• Able to build trusted, productive relationships internally and externally. Works collaboratively and effectively with others to achieve common goals within immediate and wider teams, as well as across external networks, clients, and funders.

• Balances multiple priorities by effective planning and delegating whilst retaining accountability to deliver to deadlines.

• Aligns to OPMs vales: we are ambitious, we have positive impact and together we make a difference.

Our Offer:

• We enable colleagues capacity to grow professionally through enhanced learning resources, opportunities to work cross functionally, and space to engage with a range of internal and external industry events.
• Our non-hierarchical culture values support, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and a rich diversity of perspectives.
• We provide an exceptionally generous annual leave entitlement and a hybrid working model to encourage and enable healthy work/life balance.
• Wellbeing resources including a global Employee Assistance Programme and access to the UnMind app.
• Competitive salary and contributory pension scheme.

We are strengthened by the diversity of colleagues across our global business and are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace for all.Our recruitment practices reflect our ambition to make the international development sector more inclusive and firm belief that our work delivers the best outcomes when we actively include a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Application:If you share our vision for fair public policy that benefits both people and planet, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application through our careers site by the advertised closing date.Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role and candidates must have a pre-existing right to work in the UK for their application to be considered.Oxford Policy Management is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the business. Should you require adjustments to make the application process more accessible please inform us through completing or scan the QR code below.

Oxford Policy Management Limited