Business Development Manager - FTC (12 Months)

WSET exists to empower people and support the drinks industry from producer to consumer. As the world's leading provider of qualifications in wines, spirits, beer and sake, we deliver more than 140,000 exams each year to candidates in over 70 countries through our global network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs).

As a truly international organisation, we are proud to have colleagues based across the UK, Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA. Together, we are committed to delivering world-class education that inspires confidence, develops expertise and creates opportunities across the global drinks industry.

Our people are at the heart of our success. We foster a welcoming, collaborative and inclusive culture where curiosity is encouraged, innovation is embraced and everyone is empowered to thrive. We value individuals who lead with empathy, strive for better and are passionate about delivering exceptional experiences for our learners, partners and colleagues.

We recognise that the best candidates do not always meet every requirement listed in a job description. If you have transferable skills, a growth mindset and a genuine passion for learning and education, we encourage you to apply. We value potential, adaptability and a commitment to excellence alongside direct experience.

The UK is one of WSET's largest and most strategically important markets, making this an exciting opportunity to play a key role in our continued growth.

As Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for growing and strengthening WSET's presence across the UK. You will build and develop relationships with existing Course Providers, identify and onboard new partners, maximise access to funding opportunities and represent WSET across the hospitality, education and wider drinks industry.

Acting as a trusted partner to a portfolio of Course Providers, you will help them grow their provision, enhance learner engagement and maximise the value of their relationship with WSET. Alongside managing key accounts, you will identify new commercial opportunities, develop strategic partnerships and contribute to delivering WSET's wider organisational objectives.

This is a varied and outward-facing role that combines relationship management, business development and strategic thinking. Success will come from understanding the needs of our partners, identifying opportunities for growth and working collaboratively across WSET to deliver positive outcomes for learners, Course Providers and the organisation.

Key responsibilities

Account Management

• Act as the primary account manager for a portfolio of UK Course Providers.

• Build strong, trusted partnerships that encourage long-term engagement and growth.

• Conduct regular business reviews with providers, identifying opportunities to increase candidate numbers, qualification uptake and market reach.

• Support Course Providers with operational, commercial and strategic enquiries.

• Encourage adoption of new WSET products, qualifications, systems and digital initiatives.

• Gather market feedback to ensure Course Provider needs are effectively communicated internally.

New Business Development

• Identify, research and engage prospective Course Providers in priority sectors and regions.

• Guide potential Course Providers through the approval process and support successful onboarding.

• Develop relationships with organisations that could benefit from becoming Partners or WSET for Business customers.

• Create and maintain a pipeline of new opportunities, tracking progress and outcomes.

• Work collaboratively with Marketing, Product and School teams to convert opportunities into sustainable partnerships.

• Monitor, identify and apply for UK-based grants, bursaries and funding schemes that would benefit WSET and our partners

• Explore partnerships with trusts, educational bodies, charities and industry organisations that can expand access to WSET qualifications

Market engagement and insight

• Build WSET's visibility and reputation within the UK drinks, HORECA and education sectors.

• Deliver presentations, webinars, workshops and panel contributions as required.

• Develop relationships with key industry stakeholders, employers, associations and influencers.

• Provide market insight to help develop and deliver the UK market strategy

• Represent WSET at trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, networking events and industry meetings.

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and the drinks industry landscape

• Produce regular reports on APP Course Provider engagement, business development and growth activities and other UK and global opportunities

• Use data and insight to recommend actions that drive sustainable growth and ensure that WSET continues to support the industry in the most effective, relevant and impactful way

Person Specification

Essential experience

• Proven business development and account management experience within the drinks industry in the UK

• Experience managing external stakeholder relationships and delivering commercial strategy

• Strong networking and relationship-building skills

• Strong data analysis and strategic planning skills

• Proven track record in building and delivering presentations

• WSET Level 3 Award in Wine

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with grant applications, bursaries or funding bodies

• Knowledge of the UK education landscape

• Experience of delivering masterclasses

• WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits, Sake and/or Beer

Personal attributes

• Commercially minded and results focused

• Self-motivated and able to work independently

• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills who can build strong relationships

• Collaborative and able to work across multiple teams remotely and in-person

• Curious and able to challenge decisions effectively

• Passionate about the role education plays in developing careers and raising standards across the industry

• Proactive and entrepreneurial, with the ability to identify opportunities and act on them

• Takes ownership and accountability, working independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues and stakeholders

• Tenacious and resilient

Comfortable presenting and working on MS Teams/Zoom

Salary

Working pattern: We are open to both full-time and part-time applications. For part-time appointments, salary will be pro-rated based on the agreed working hours.

UK Benefits
Annual Leave - 27 days pa + public holidays, increases with service; ability to buy/sell 5 days

Pension (Generous options available after three months)

Health insurance (after three months):

Vitality scheme - post probation - Access to virtual GP appointments, Rewards include Caffe Nero drinks, Cinema Tickets, Apple Watch, Cash Back on Waitrose shopping, 75% off at Champneys, 6 month subscription with HeadSpace, Discounted Weight Watchers membership and gyms, Smoking Cessation day worth £300 and half price health screens

Eye voucher scheme

Food and drink in the office

Nespresso coffee makers and a range of other drinks, fruit, cereals, soups

Season ticket loan scheme

EAP

24/7 confidential help and support from trained counsellors and advisors

Death in service

4x annual salary paid to nominees with associated bereavement support for family

Enhanced family friendly leave and pay

Cycle2Work scheme

Development - WSET's in-house training and qualifications in Wines, Spirits, Sake and Beer as well as other professional development opportunities

DISCLAIMER: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned, at any time.  

Any offer of employment, and your ongoing employment, is conditional upon the successful completion of a background check conducted by an independent third party.

Please note that if you currently work for one of WSET's Approved Programme Providers (APPs), either as an employee or on a self-employed basis, you may not be eligible to apply for this role depending on the nature of your current position and future career plans. If this applies to you, we encourage you to contact the hiring manager before applying to discuss your eligibility.