Interim Head of Business Development

Location: Hybrid, London and home-working, with regular UK travel

Salary: Competitive

The organisation is the chartered body for the landscape profession. It is an educational charity that promotes the art and science of landscape practice. Their aim, through the work of its chartered members, is to ‘protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the public benefit’. The LI provides a professional home for all landscape practitioners and our members get involved with small to very large projects within the private, public and third sectors.

The Role

As Interim Head of Business Development, you’ll be the driving force behind the organisation’s external engagement and growth activities. This is a pivotal role for a confident person who can work independently with a keen focus to drive membership development, diversify income streams, engage with commercial stakeholders, increase revenue, and expand sponsorship and other commercial activity. You will develop, deliver and implement a robust strategy and action plan that you will follow to increase the organisation’s reach and representation in the sector, engaging with key audiences and building meaningful relationships that lead to growth.

This is a stand-alone membership senior business development role that requires the holder to directly deliver agreed income and targets. The person will need to be self-sufficient with tenacity and a talented individual with a strong proven track record of personally achieving challenging targets.

At the heart of this role is the opportunity to galvanise a wide range of stakeholders around the organisation’s purpose, champion the voice of their members, and personally deliver high-impact strategies that grow both their reach and sector representation.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new large sponsorship opportunities, while maintaining and enhancing existing relationships handing appropriate established partners to the Membership and commercial officer.
• Identify and deliver new income opportunities by exploring various revenue streams such as grants, partnerships, and events.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive strategies to grow and retain membership.
• Analyse membership and other related data to identify trends and develop and agree opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and personally deliver business plans and models that ensure a balanced and sustainable revenue model, reducing dependency on any single source.
• Focus on the proposition by understanding the products
• Achieve growth revenue from the existing suite of LI products making appropriate suggestions where appropriate to improve revenue
• Develop and implement comprehensive revenue, including generation plans, using innovative initiatives, partnerships, and business development activities to increase revenue.
• Develop and monitor financial performance and adjust strategies as needed to achieve the stretching revenue goals.
• Responsible for the achievement of revenue goals
• Build strong relationships with commercial stakeholders, including potential sponsors, partners, and other related businesses. 
• Develop and deliver attractive sponsorship packages and proposals that align with the organisation’s goals and initiatives.
• Explore, establish and secure other commercial arrangements, evaluating the commercial potential of new ideas and negotiate terms that benefit the organisation.
• Implement and maintain good practices and procedures, harnessing the CRM to its full potential.
• Collaborate with the Director of Membership and Professional Standards to align efforts with member needs and engagement.
• Any reasonable request by line manager

Skills and Qualifications

• Educated to degree level (preferable)
• MS Offices Systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Proven track record in a senior commercial role, preferably within a professional body or similar membership organisation.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in increasing revenue and growing membership.
• Experience or knowledge of the built and natural environment is desirable
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing decision makers and corporate partners.
• Ability to create your own CRM via spreadsheets to record and retain record
• Innovative mindset with the ability to identify and capitalise on new opportunities.
• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills.
• Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
• A confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity through teamwork.
• Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable organisation, please do not hesitate to apply.

Contact information

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