Business Development Director UK
Birmingham (Hybrid) | Frequent UK travel
Are you an experienced business development leader who thrives on building long-term strategic relationships and creating acquisition opportunities?
A highly acquisitive, international investment group is seeking a Business Development Director to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering its UK & Ireland growth strategy. With a strong track record of acquiring and supporting specialist businesses, the organisation offers a unique opportunity to influence strategy, lead a high-performing team, and directly impact future acquisitions.
The Opportunity
Reporting into the Head of M&A, you'll take ownership of the business development function across the UK & Ireland, driving pipeline generation, developing strategic partnerships, and leading a talented team focused on identifying and progressing acquisition opportunities.
This is a senior, hands-on leadership role combining:
✅ Strategic planning and execution
✅ Team leadership and development
✅ Relationship-building with founders and business owners
✅ Progression of acquisition opportunities
✅ Collaboration with M&A, legal and commercial stakeholders
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute the UK business development strategy.
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing business development team.
- Build and maintain relationships with founders, shareholders, CEOs and senior executives.
- Develop strong networks with corporate finance advisers, investors and professional intermediaries.
- Ensure a healthy and sustainable acquisition pipeline.
- Identify, qualify and progress acquisition opportunities.
- Use market intelligence, research and CRM insights to optimise business development activity.
- Represent the organisation at industry events, conferences and networking activities.
- Work closely with M&A colleagues on opportunity assessment, valuation discussions and transaction strategy.
About You
We're interested in speaking with commercially minded professionals who combine strategic thinking with strong relationship-building skills.
You'll likely bring:
- Significant experience in Business Development, Corporate Development, M&A Origination, Corporate Finance, Investment, Advisory or a related field.
- Experience developing and implementing growth or origination strategies.
- Proven people leadership experience.
- A track record of building trusted relationships with business owners, founders or senior decision-makers.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen.
- Experience managing complex, long-cycle opportunities.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- A proactive, resilient and entrepreneurial mindset.
What's on Offer?
- Attractive executive-level compensation package.
- Significant influence over UK & Ireland growth strategy.
- Clear career progression within a rapidly expanding international organisation.
- Extensive professional development and leadership training.
- Exposure to a global network of M&A, software and business growth professionals.
- Hybrid working with a Birmingham city-centre base.
Interested?
If you're passionate about relationship-led business development, strategic growth and working within a dynamic acquisitive environment, I'd love to hear from you.
📩 Apply directly via LinkedIn or contact me confidentially for further information.
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At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.
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