Business development manager jobs in Exeter, devon
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Together for Short Lives is looking for a driven and creative Business Development Manager to develop and secure high‑value corporate partnerships that will help transform the lives of seriously ill children and their families. You’ll lead our business development strategy, build a strong pipeline of opportunities, and develop lasting relationships with prospective and existing supporters.
If you’re collaborative, tenacious and passionate about making a real impact in children’s palliative care, we’d love to hear from you.
Full‑time 1 year FTC | Hybrid (UK‑wide with travel to our Bristol Office) | £42,000
Purpose of role
The Business Development Manager will lead our efforts to secure high-profile, high-value partnerships with corporate organisations that will generate vital income for children's palliative care. Securing new partnerships and growing our income requires exceptional collaboration skills; a driven, tenacious and resourceful nature; innovation and creativity; and a passionate determination to make a difference to the lives of children and families across the UK.
The main objectives are as follows:
- Secure new corporate partnerships raising funds to support Together for Short Lives’ direct work, and our National Fundraising Scheme (raising funds on behalf of the UK’s children’s hospices).
- Develop and deliver a business development strategy, including prospect research, managing a robust pipeline of opportunities, and developing a diverse range of business development products.
- Manage and develop relationships with a portfolio of individual contacts and organisations, including prospective and existing supporters.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We exist to ensure every seriously ill child and their family gets the high-quality children’s palliative and end of life care
Thank you!
At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone should be able to live a fulfilling life, regardless of how severely mental illness affects them. Our services are growing — and so is our ambition. That’s why we’re looking for a passionate and skilled Business Development Manager to help us shape the future of our charity and the support we provide.
About the role
As our Business Development Manager, you’ll play a key role in sustaining and expanding the services that make a real difference to people severely affected by mental illness. You’ll bring teams together, write with clarity and purpose, and lead the end‑to‑end bid development process — ensuring we continue to deliver high‑quality, impactful support where it’s needed most.
You’ll champion collaboration, draw on the expertise of colleagues across the charity, and craft compelling, evidence‑based proposals that reflect who we are and what we stand for. From early development to final submission, you’ll help us win and retain contracts that directly improve lives.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading the end‑to‑end development of bids, retenders, and proposals in line with internal quality standards.
- Working collaboratively with teams across Rethink Mental Illness, building strong relationships and creating connected ways of working.
- Supporting and managing Bid Development Officers.
- Contributing to regional business development plans and helping shape sustainable, innovative service models.
- Writing high‑quality, insightful submissions that articulate our strengths, capabilities, and lived‑experience approach.
- Developing early-stage budget models and working with Finance and HR to finalise financials ahead of submission.
- Generating insight through data, evidence, and internal expertise to create winning proposals.
- Researching competitors and identifying what makes Rethink Mental Illness stand out.
- Supporting successful bids through structured handovers and mobilisation.
- Contributing to continuous improvement through feedback, learning, and maintaining our Bid Library.
What you’ll bring
Essential
- A strong track record of writing successful competitive bids or proposals.
- Excellent writing, critical thinking, and communication skills.
- The ability to interpret complex tender documents and understand commissioner expectations.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to unite diverse teams.
- Knowledge of commissioning, current legislation, and best practice in mental health and social care.
- Experience constructing budgets and modelling service assumptions.
- Strong organisational and project‑management abilities, with flexibility to meet deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and excellent general IT skills.
- A values‑driven approach consistent with Rethink Mental Illness’ ethos.
Desirable
- Experience working within mental health, health, or social care sectors.
- Lived or professional experience related to mental health and wellbeing.
Why Rethink Mental Illness?
When you join us, you’re not just taking on a role — you’re becoming part of a movement.
A movement committed to improving the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through high‑quality services, innovation, and compassionate support.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive team where your growth and wellbeing matter, and where your work has a clear, direct impact.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
We’re Rethink Mental Illness and no matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.