Construction Business Development Manager
Location: Hybrid – Portland, Dorset
Salary: From £65,000 + excellent benefits
Industry: Construction / Pre‑Construction / Bids
Contract: Full-time, permanent
We’re partnering with a specialist construction organisation to recruit an experienced Construction Business Development Manager. This is a unique opportunity to join a growing business that delivers complex, design-led, and often international construction projects.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in identifying, shaping, and securing new construction opportunities — taking them from early concept through to contract award and handover into delivery.
The Role
As the Construction Business Development Manager, you will:
- Drive new construction opportunities from lead generation through to tender submission and contract award.
- Manage a robust and transparent opportunity pipeline, tracking the full bid lifecycle.
- Lead end-to-end bid activity across PQQs, RFQs, ITTs and RFPs while coordinating with cross-functional teams.
- Develop compelling tender submissions, capability statements, and client presentations.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as the key point of contact during bid development.
- Identify potential strategic partners and joint ventures to strengthen propositions.
- Represent the organisation at industry events and networking forums.
- Support leadership with growth initiatives, bid prioritisation, and market development.
- Ensure seamless handover of secured bids into project teams and support kick-off stages.
- Champion compliance, documentation accuracy, and continuous improvement in BD processes.
Why This Role Stands Out
- Unique project environments: Work on projects that go far beyond typical construction — often operating in complex, remote, or challenging locations across defence, government, and international development sectors.
- Cross-functional exposure: Collaborate closely with Design, Engineering, Commercial, and Operations teams, gaining broad organisational insight.
- International scope: Opportunities to support bids and programmes across global regions, including donor-funded and FCDO-related work.
- Agile, growing organisation: Influence strategy, processes, and how the business competes and wins work.
What We’re Looking For
Ideally, you will bring:
- Experience in construction business development, pre-construction, or bid coordination.
- Strong understanding of construction procurement and tendering processes.
- Working knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 contracts.
- Some exposure to international development or government-funded programmes.
- Understanding of public sector procurement and compliance.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to assess bid viability, pricing considerations, and risk.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills, able to manage multiple deadlines.
- A collaborative, proactive approach and willingness to travel occasionally.
- Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business or similar (preferred).
Don’t meet every requirement? We know great candidates come from a range of backgrounds — if the role interests you, we encourage you to apply.
What You’ll Get in Return
- Work on high-profile UK and international construction projects.
- Join a collaborative and technically strong team.
- Real exposure to the full project lifecycle — from bid through to delivery.
- Opportunities for career development within a growing business.
Benefits include:
- Salary from £65,000 (higher for exceptional relevant experience)
- 25 days holiday
- Flexible 37.5-hour working week
- Private Medical Insurance (BUPA)
- Life assurance (3.5x salary)
- Pension scheme
- Salary sacrifice schemes (eBike & EV)
- Access to wellbeing platforms
…