Senior (digital) Business Development Manager - Communications Agency

The purpose of the role is to secure high quality new business briefs for new stakeholder engagement projects from our blue-chip clients and target prospects including corporate and B2B websites, employee intranets and employee engagement campaigns, impact narratives and campaigns, and social and SEO strategy work.

You will have the opportunity to work with colleagues from the operating businesses within the Positive Change Group on joint business development and marketing activities.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of talented, friendly, and diverse people driven by common values, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the world of business.

By joining us you will be working on a hybrid model (min 3 days a week in the office) and have a wonderful opportunity to explore our picturesque offices in Bishops Park, Putney Bridge

Come join us!

Black Sun Global

Across the globe, there is a powerful movement demanding that businesses focus on purpose, sustainability, and wider value creation. It has never been more important for organisations to build and maintain trust with their key audiences. And that’s where Black Sun come in – we are a partner to some of the biggest brands and businesses worldwide – helping them to build enduring relationships with their stakeholders and spark positive change through better engagement and inspiring communications.

We define, articulate and shape the corporate story, bringing it to life across different channels and content formats. Our team is made up of over 150 talented specialists working across the UK, Europe, South Africa and Asia – analytical thinkers, forward-looking creatives, digital experts and inspiring change makers!

For more than twenty years, we have won many awards and recognition for our work – but great work doesn’t happen by magic. Join Black Sun and you will become part of a, diverse, and inclusive community – a team of passionate and skilful people who will expand your horizon, energise your talents and ignite that spark of magic within you.

Beyond what you would expect; a competitive salary, great benefits and hybrid working – we will support you in developing the skills and expertise to fast track your career. You will have the opportunity to make a difference every day, shaping the future of communications and creating positive change – and most importantly, to have fun along the way.

The Positive Change Group

Black Sun is the founding agency at the centre of The Positive Change Group. The Positive Change Group is a truly international stakeholder advisory and engagement collective of like-minded specialist agencies with a shared ambition to help bold and visionary businesses Spark Positive Change – to make a deeper impact on society, shape more ethical practices, build inclusive communities and deliver more sustainable performance.
The Group currently consists of four pre-eminent agencies:  Black Sun Global, People-Made, Stratton Craig and GoCo. Each agency brings together deep expertise on different aspects of stakeholder advisory and engagement – including brand culture, strategic communications, reporting, ESG advisory, analytics and creative storytelling. Current clients within the Group include major international firms, such as AstraZeneca, Burberry, Diageo, Meta, Olam, Virgin Atlantic and Vodafone.

With headquarters in London, Singapore, and offices worldwide, the group is transforming the way companies engage with their customers, employees, investors, and communities worldwide. As business increasingly recognises that long-term success is dependent on the support and advocacy of their stakeholders – the Positive Change Group is helping their clients to inspire trust, build more positive relations and create sustainable value for the people that matter most to them

As Senior Business Development Manager your role will encompass the responsibilities below:

E-marketing campaigns

• In conjunction with the marketing, advisory and client  teams plan targeted email and sales campaigns to support our marketing activities and generate new business enquiries from clients and prospects
• Responsible for working with the marketing team to develop compelling content for the email campaigns
• Building the targeted contact lists with our Salesforce database for each email campaigns
• Following up on all new enquiries in timely and effective manner
• Producing the campaign performance reports

Webinars and Black Sun events

• Manage the invitation process for all Black Sun events ensuring that agreed invitees are invited and, where possible encouraged to attend events.

• In conjunction with the marketing, advisory and client  teams participate in the planning and organisation of Black Sun events and on the day trouble shoot where necessary and ensure that everything goes according to plan.

• Attend and network at events and seminars on an ongoing basis

• Following up on all new enquiries in timely and effective manner

Prospecting and database management

• On a timely basis, contact target companies to identify key decision makers responsible for stakeholder engagement projects
• Implement timely contact programmes to target prospects to and secure credentials meetings or inclusion in pitch processes.
• Follow up on tactical opportunities, including website enquiries in order to ascertain needs and try to secure a meeting or follow up presentation
• Nurture and maintain on-going relationships with prospects via telephone or ad hoc mailings.
• Keep Salesforce Database up to date in a timely and and ensure accuracy of target lists. accurate manner Monitor and follow up with on target contacts who change roles
• Work with the marketing team and wider business to prepare all supporting sales collateral that you will require

New business meetings, pitches and new business presentations

• Work closely with the assigned Director and pitch team to ensure the sales process runs smoothly, the teams are well prepared and potential clients have fantastic and seamless experience throughout
• Source all necessary background reference material necessary to aid preparation for the new business meetings and proposals
• Prepare detailed briefs outlining contact history and opportunity requirements, and brief presentation teams on meeting requirements and your insights and thoughts about how we could win the pitch
• Manage all aspects of the meeting logistics including confirmations, presentation equipment, setting up and transportation, supporting the pitch team as required
• When required prepare first drafts of new business proposals, presentations and RFPs and participate in new business presentations

Market knowledge and industry events

• Keep abreast of industry trends and developments and competitor activity, which may be relevant to our business and our target markets
• When appropriate attend external industry events and award ceremonies to further your knowledge and provide networking opportunities

Project and Commercial management

• Follow all company project and commercial work practices and process
• Prepare regular budget reconciliations and monitor expenditure against agreed budgets.
• Work with the marketing team to assess the impact of our spend against sale different activities to understand the ROI

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A proven track record in new business development for digital marketing, campaigns and wider digital communications solutions.

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, and share our values.

• A proven track record in new business development in the investor/stakeholder or digital agency world, and delivering new business opportunities (including digital).

• Proven experience in implementing highly targeted new business campaigns

• Highly entrepreneurial self-starter, who can use their own initiative to identify opportunities

• Excellent written skills are essential.

• Fully conversant with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Personal qualities required :

• Strong ‘can do’ attitude motivated by a desire to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem

• Passionate about creating inspiring work.

• Ambition to self-improve and excel..

• Ability to multitask and work effectively under pressure.

• Ability to blend commercial awareness with passion and creative flair.

• Energetic and keen to meet the challenges of contributing to a dynamic, highly entrepreneurial environment.

• Ability to work closely with other departments and senior managers to achieve commercial and creative objectives.

• A great sense of humour and fun!!

Interview process

Initial chat with talent acquisition manager
1st Interview (teams) with hiring manager
2nd interview (f2f) with hiring director and hiring manager (and CEO tbc)

Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary based on skills and experience, as an employee at Black Sun, you will have access to a range of great benefits and perks, including:

• 25 days holiday per year with ‘bonus’ days for long service
• Bonus scheme
• Personal development opportunities
• Group life assurance
• Group personal pension plan
• Employee assistance programme
• Hybrid working (3 days a week in the office)

Here at Black Sun, we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We foster a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best work and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.

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