Business Development Manager Commercial

Simpson Associates transforms raw data into actionable insights that drive positive change.

Our Microsoft data expertise, our specialist sector knowledge, plus our innovative and trusted advice and guidance are just some of the reasons clients choose to work with us.

Our mission is to help purpose-led organisations from within the public and private sectors to harness data as a lever for change and enable them to realise business value more quickly. We provide the full range of services to support organisations on their data transformation journey. From advisory support and data strategy, to developing Data & AI solutions, right through to providing a range of managed services.

We are a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Cloud & AI Platforms and Security, holding Specialisations in AI Platform on Microsoft Azure, Build AI Apps on Microsoft Azure, Analytics on Microsoft Azure and Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure. Previously, Cloud & AI platforms were individual pillars for Data & AI, Digital & App innovation and Infrastructure.

But it's not just about the badges. We are proud to be recognised as the winner of the 2024 Microsoft Community Response Partner of the Year award, reflecting our dedication to using technology for positive change. We are also a Databricks partner, and an IBM Gold Partner, specialising in Cognos Analytics and Planning Analytics.

With offices in York and Sheffield, and a team based throughout the UK – we champion creativity, innovation and collaboration in the workplace.

The Role

As Business Development Manager for our Commercial sector, you will lead new business development across private sector organisations, building Simpson Associates’ commercial presence and pipeline within your chosen vertical or area of strength.

This is a true new business role. You will identify and build relationships with senior decision-makers, open new doors, create meaningful conversations and develop substantial opportunities from the ground up. The role is intentionally open to candidates with strong commercial sales experience across a range of sectors, rather than being limited to one fixed vertical.

We are especially interested in candidates with a proven track record in areas such as Insurance, Financial Services or Retail, although strong candidates from other commercial markets such as legal, manufacturing or other data-rich sectors should also be considered where the track record is strong.

You will bring a strong understanding of how data, analytics, data governance, data quality and AI solutions can help organisations solve meaningful business challenges. You do not need to be the technical expert in the room, but you will need the credibility and commercial awareness to understand customer challenges, shape early conversations and bring in Simpson Associates’ technical and pre-sales specialists at the right time.

This role is best suited to someone who can bring market knowledge, an established network and a strong track record of selling substantial data or technology-led solutions. We are looking for someone ready-made, who can hit the ground running, build a commercial book largely from scratch and contribute quickly to Simpson Associates’ growth ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, build and own relationships with key decision-makers and influencers within commercial organisations, particularly within your chosen vertical or area of expertise.
• Proactively generate new business opportunities from a standing start, building a strong commercial pipeline rather than inheriting an established account base.
• Develop and manage a pipeline of substantial opportunities, with a focus on multi-year engagements and enterprise-scale deals rather than a high volume of smaller wins.
• Use your sector knowledge and network to identify where Simpson Associates can add value through data transformation, analytics, data governance, data quality, AI and managed services.
• Work closely with technical, pre-sales, delivery and marketing colleagues to shape credible, outcome-led propositions for customers.
• Bring in technical and pre-sales specialists at the right stage of each opportunity, ensuring customers receive expert input and Simpson Associates is positioned as a trusted, delivery-capable partner.
• Lead new customer conversations, discovery sessions and commercial follow-up activity, ensuring opportunities are well qualified and progressed effectively.
• Build and maintain accurate pipeline records using CRM and internal sales processes, ensuring opportunity data, next steps and forecasts are current.
• Represent Simpson Associates at relevant industry, partner and customer events to build brand awareness, credibility and new relationships.
• Provide market intelligence into the business, including customer priorities, competitor activity, commercial trends and potential new vertical opportunities.
• Collaborate with Microsoft, Databricks, IBM and other partner ecosystems where relevant to open routes to market and strengthen customer opportunities.
• Work towards an individual new business revenue target, with commission paid monthly on delivered revenue.

Skills & Attributes Required

• Proven experience in a new business sales, business development, account director or commercial sales role within data, analytics, AI, technology, consultancy or professional services.
• A demonstrable track record of selling substantial solutions into commercial organisations, ideally including six or seven-figure deals.
• Experience building a new territory, vertical, sector or account base from scratch.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to understand customer challenges and translate them into meaningful data-led opportunities.
• A genuine understanding of data, analytics, data governance, data quality and AI solutions, with the ability to have credible early-stage customer conversations.
• Established relationships within one or more commercial verticals, with the ability to access and influence senior decision-makers.
• A strong hunter mentality, with the confidence, resilience and motivation to open doors and create opportunities where no existing relationship exists.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the credibility to engage stakeholders at senior and executive level.
• Strong pipeline management skills, including the ability to qualify opportunities, prioritise effort and forecast accurately.
• Comfortable working collaboratively with technical and pre-sales colleagues to shape solutions and progress opportunities.
• Self-motivated, proactive and financially driven, with a strong focus on achieving and exceeding revenue targets.
• Comfortable operating in a growing, ambitious business where priorities can evolve and opportunities need to be created, not just managed.

Advantageous Qualifications and Skills

• Experience selling data transformation, analytics, data governance, data quality, AI, cloud, managed services or consultancy-led solutions.
• Experience selling into Insurance, Financial Services, Retail or another data-rich commercial vertical.
• Existing relationships within the Microsoft, Databricks, IBM or wider systems integrator/partner ecosystem.
• Experience working in a consultancy, data services provider, systems integrator, SaaS business or Microsoft partner environment.
• Strong understanding of how commercial organisations use data to improve decision-making, efficiency, customer experience, compliance or operational performance.
• Experience contributing to proposals, presentations, commercial negotiations and complex sales cycles.
• Previous sales performance in data, analytics or related technology/consultancy solutions is essential.

Due to the nature of our work, successful candidates will be required to obtain relevant security clearance.

Simpson Associates reserves the right to close the advert at anytime.