Business Development Manager
WM TrainsBusiness Development Manager
Application Deadline: 29 June 2026 Department: Commercial Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time Location: Head Office - Birmingham Reporting To: Sophie Gardner Compensation: Up to £65,000 depending on experience
About the role
The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building and nurturing client relationships, and driving revenue growth across our London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway routes. This role blends strategic planning with hands-on execution, requiring strong analytical skills, impeccable attention to detail, and the ability to confidently review and interpret commercial contracts. The ideal candidate is proactive, target-driven, and skilled at turning prospects into long-term partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver business development plans in partnership with the Senior Sales & Marketing Manager to achieve ancillary revenue targets
- Identify, research and pursue new opportunities across our routes, brands and markets
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of leads, converting prospects into sustainable client relationships
- Conduct market and competitor analysis to inform strategy and decision-making
- Lead client meetings, presentations and negotiations, tailoring solutions to meet client needs
- Manage the full sales cycle, working closely with a third-party supplier from initial engagement through to contract close
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, ensuring high levels of satisfaction, retention and repeat business
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to deliver against contractual commitments
- Represent the business at industry events, exhibitions and networking opportunities
- Review contracts, NDAs and commercial agreements, identifying risks and ensuring compliance with company standards
- Track performance through KPIs and pipeline metrics, maintaining accurate CRM records and providing forecasts and insights to senior stakeholders
- Work flexibly to meet client needs, deadlines and business priorities, including travel as required
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Demonstrated experience in sales, business development, or a similar commercial role
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities effectively
- Confident in leading negotiations and managing complex commercial conversations
- Comfortable reviewing commercial contracts, with an understanding of key legal and business terms
- Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
- Experience in people management and/or managing third-party agencies is essential
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, including the ability to create and maintain trackers, reports, and engaging client presentations
Commitment
To ensure continuity and an effective delivery of service, successful candidates will be required to commit to a minimum 14-month period in role after achieving competence. This also includes existing colleagues who move by internal promotions and transfers. This time allows our future colleagues to support personal career development by allowing time to build strong knowledge and expertise.
Benefits
- A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK
- Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents
- 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents
- 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network
- A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household
- Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing
- Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles
- A retail discount portal – offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants
About WM Trains
WM Trains Limited, trading as West Midlands Trains, is a state-owned British train operating company. It runs commuter, local and regional services in the West Midlands region under the West Midlands Railway brand, and longer-distance services on the West Coast Main Line between London and the North West under the London Northwestern Railway brand.
Interested in this role?
Apply now to join WM Trains.