Business development manager jobs in Nottingham
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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.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Women’s Work is a National Award Winning Charity founded in 2003. We aim to deliver a holistic, person centred support service to vulnerable and disadvantaged women with complex health and social needs. We do this by ensuring they can access support, education and information to raise self-esteem and confidence, empowering them to make positive life choices resulting in improved health and wellbeing.
We are seeking a talented, motivated and highly organised Business Development Manager to join our Senior Management Team and play a key role in supporting the organisation’s growth, sustainability and financial resilience.
The Role
This is predominantly an office-based role working closely with the Finance Manager and under the guidance of the CEO, with a strong focus on:
- Bid writing, tender submissions, commissioning applications and grant funding
- Identifying, securing and managing new funding opportunities
- Supporting financial planning, allocation to funded projects
- Fundraising and promoting the charity in the local community
You will lead on the development and continuation of the project-specific funding, ensuring bids and applications align with Women’s Work’s strategic objectives and future expansion plans.
Working collaboratively with the Finance Manager, you will review funding streams, develop robust applications and contribute to the effective financial management of funded activities. You will liaise with businesses, statutory bodies, organisations, community groups and charities to identify and secure new income opportunities, partnerships and sponsorships.
Key Responsibilities
- Research, identify and secure new funding opportunities, grants and tenders
- Lead and co-ordinate high-quality bid writing, commissioning and tender submissions
- Support the Finance Manager with funding reviews, budgets and financial monitoring
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with funders, partners and stakeholders
- Contribute to organisational planning, sustainability and income diversification
- Ensure funding requirements, reporting and compliance are met
- Event planning/identify and co-ordinate fundraising opportunities
About You
The successful applicant will be self-motivated, detail-focused and high organized, with strong project management and communication skills. You will be able to work collaboratively while also managing competing priorities independently.
You will also be able to demonstrate:
- Proven experience in bid writing, tenders and/or commissioning
- A track record of pro-active business development, ideally within the charity or voluntary sector
- Strong relationship-building skills across multiple sectors
- Empathy and a clear commitment to Women’s Work values, aims and objectives
Additional Information
An Enhanced DBS check will be required.
Ref: BDM
Please apply as soon as you are able to, as applications will close early if the right applicant is found.
