This is a senior maternity cover position, offering the opportunity to step into a strategically important role with responsibility for maintaining commercial momentum, strengthening Local Authority relationships, supporting occupancy performance and ensuring the Business Development function continues to have a clear and credible voice at senior leadership level.
The successful person will play a key role in supporting sustainable growth across specialist homes and schools, ensuring referral activity remains values-led, needs-led and focused on achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and adults.
The Role
As Head of Business Development, you will provide senior leadership to the Business Development team while working closely with Operations, Registered Managers, Headteachers, Finance and external Local Authority partners.
You will be responsible for maintaining and developing commissioning relationships, managing referral pipelines, supporting occupancy targets, overseeing contract and framework activity, and ensuring commercial insight and market intelligence inform strategic decision-making.
This role would suit someone with strong experience across health, social care and/or specialist education, particularly where they have worked closely with Local Authority commissioners, referral pathways, frameworks, contracts and occupancy-led growth.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and line manage the Business Development team, ensuring clarity, pace and accountability throughout the maternity cover period.
* Represent the Business Development function at Senior Management Team level, using commercial insight, market intelligence and commissioning knowledge to support strategic decision-making.
* Build, maintain and strengthen relationships with Local Authority commissioners and key external stakeholders.
* Develop and manage a sustainable pipeline of appropriate referrals and consultations across specialist homes and schools.
* Work closely with Operations, Registered Managers and Headteachers to support occupancy targets and ensure referrals are appropriately matched to service capacity, provision and individual need.
* Oversee CRM usage, referral tracking, KPI reporting, market analysis and performance management.
* Support fee negotiations, contract discussions, framework participation, tender submissions and ongoing contractual compliance.
* Act as a key link between Local Authority partners, Operations and Finance to ensure placements are appropriately commissioned, contracted and billed.
* Represent the organisation externally at provider forums, conferences, partnership meetings and sector events.
* Uphold and promote the organisation’s values, reputation and market position.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a commercially astute, values-driven senior professional with experience in business development, commissioning, referrals or commercial leadership within a complex care, social care, education or health setting.
The successful candidate will bring:
* Senior-level experience within business development, commissioning, referral management or commercial roles.
* Strong knowledge of Local Authority commissioning, referral pathways, frameworks and contract negotiations.
* Experience working within complex, multi-site care, education or health environments.
* Proven ability to manage referral pipelines and support occupancy or growth targets.
* Strong relationship-building, influencing, negotiation and partnership skills.
* Confidence operating at senior level and contributing to strategic decision-making.
* Experience working closely with operational teams to ensure appropriate placements and sustainable outcomes.
* Strong communication, presentation, reporting, organisation and IT skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
* A professional, resilient and discreet approach when handling sensitive or confidential information.
Experience working with Local Authorities, specialist children’s services, SEND education, residential care, adult social care, complex needs, mental health or therapeutic provision would be highly advantageous.
Package & Benefits
* Salary of £60,000 – £68,000 per annum, depending on experience.
* 12-month fixed-term contract, with an estimated start date of 1st August 2026 and end date of 1st August 2027.
* Hybrid working arrangement based from the organisation’s central office in North Wales, with regular travel required.
* Enhanced annual leave, enhanced family leave, Cycle to Work scheme, Blue Light Card savings, Employee Assistance Programme, free eye care vouchers and internal development opportunities.
Working Pattern
Full-time, 40 hours per week.
This role is based from the organisation’s central office in North Wales on a hybrid basis, with regular travel required for internal meetings, Local Authority engagement, provider forums and sector events.
How to Apply
To apply for this Head of Business Development position, please send your CV to Greys Specialist Recruitment for immediate consideration.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced business development, commissioning or referrals leader to step into a senior interim role where commercial insight directly supports meaningful outcomes across specialist care and education services.
The core role requirements are Local Authority relationships, referral pipeline management, occupancy, frameworks, contract negotiations and leadership of the Business Development team
Salary description
£60000.00 - £70000.00 per year