Business Development Manager (Apprenticeships) – SME

Business Development Manager – SME

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Location: Remote (UK), with travel to London at least six times a year (travel expenses reimbursed)
Salary: £35,000–£45,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Commission: Uncapped commission, payable once the monthly target is achieved
Start Date: January 2027

Closing Date: Monday 23rd November 2026

(We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage early applications.)

Join KnowledgeBrief

KnowledgeBrief is an apprenticeship and training provider helping people and organisations build the skills they need across business management. Our expertise spans leadership and management, digital, and business and professional services. Through apprenticeships, professional qualifications, workshops and coaching, we connect learning to real work, helping people make better decisions, lead change and improve organisational performance.

Our vision is a future where every organisation can turn learning into measurable performance through confident people, modern leadership and practical capability. We bring together specialist expertise, our own learning technology and personalised support to help people apply what they learn and make a meaningful difference in their roles.

We are guided by our values of being inspirational, innovative and authentic, with relationships at the heart of how we work. Joining KnowledgeBrief means being part of a team that values the joy of learning and cares about the impact we create for our learners, clients and each other.

About the Role

You will develop apprenticeship partnerships with small and medium-sized employers, taking a consultative approach to understanding their people, skills and business priorities. Through thoughtful questions and informed conversations, you will help clients identify where our programmes can make a meaningful difference, building trust from the first conversation and developing partnerships that can grow over time.

Reporting to the SME Sales Manager, you will work closely with sales colleagues, Marketing and Client Partnerships to turn new opportunities into long-term employer relationships and successful learner starts.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and research prospective employers, using market insight to prioritise opportunities and build a strong pipeline.
• Generate new business through proactive telephone calls, email, LinkedIn, networking and collaboration with Marketing.
• Build relationships with business owners, managing directors and HR or L&D leads, working with the relevant decision-makers to identify apprenticeship opportunities for individuals and teams.
• Lead purposeful discovery conversations, asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully before recommending programmes and demonstrating KBPro in the context of each employer’s needs.
• Prepare tailored proposals that connect learning to clients’ priorities, helping them make informed decisions and progressing suitable opportunities through to agreed learner starts.
• Build trusted relationships with employers, taking time to understand their challenges and ambitions and identifying opportunities for further learning as their needs develop.
• Partner with clients and internal colleagues to agree realistic expectations, ensure appropriate programme fit and support a smooth handover and successful learner outcomes.
• Represent KnowledgeBrief authentically, being clear about what we can offer and honest when a programme may not be the right fit.
• Meet agreed monthly apprenticeship start targets, maintain accurate CRM records and provide clear pipeline updates and forecasts.

Requirements

Essential

• Experience using a consultative sales approach to understand client needs, recommend appropriate solutions and achieve commercial results, including generating your own opportunities and meeting targets.
• Experience engaging senior decision-makers and managing consultative sales opportunities, including those involving multiple stakeholders.
• Confident communication and presentation skills, with the ability to ask thoughtful questions and explain the value of a learning solution.
• Strong research, organisation and CRM skills, with the ability to manage a pipeline and follow through on commitments.
• The self-motivation and resilience to work effectively remotely while contributing to a collaborative sales team.

Desirable

• Experience selling apprenticeships, training or learning solutions to small and medium-sized employers.
• An understanding of apprenticeship funding for SMEs and how employers use apprenticeships to support workforce development.

Interpersonal Fit

We’re looking for someone who

• Acts with authenticity and care, building trust through honest conversations and following through on commitments
• Brings curiosity about clients’ organisations and a belief in the value and joy of learning
• Listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions and challenges assumptions constructively
• Takes ownership of commercial results while exercising judgement about what is right for clients and learners
• Works collaboratively with clients and colleagues to develop practical solutions and lasting partnerships

Benefits

At KnowledgeBrief, we are committed to creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and able to grow.

• 5.6 weeks’ annual leave
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Dedicated monthly CPD days on successful completion of probation
• Two weeks’ paid time off over Christmas and New Year on successful completion of probation
• Company sick pay on successful completion of probation
• Opportunities to contribute to cross-team projects and organisational growth
• A remote-first environment with opportunities to connect in person

Our Commitment to Safer Recruitment and Inclusion

KnowledgeBrief is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners, and all colleagues are expected to share this commitment.

Offers of employment are subject to pre-employment checks, including right to work, references, and DBS checks where appropriate.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

Application Process

• Submit your CV through the platform where you found this advert
• Initial screening with the People & Culture Team
• Interview stage(s) with the hiring team
• Final decision and feedback

We aim to keep the process timely, transparent, and respectful of your experience.

Ready to Apply?

If this opportunity aligns with your experience and aspirations, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and we will be in touch.

The Hiring Team

KnowledgeBrief

Salary: £35,000–£45,000 per annum, dependent on experience