Company Description
Kantar Advisory Partners (KAP) is a strategic growth partner dedicated to scaling climate innovation globally. Working with startups, corporates, governments, and investors across the UK, Middle East, and Africa, KAP empowers climate-focused ventures to achieve real-world impact through tailored strategies in growth, market expansion, partnerships, and visibility.
About the Role
Kantar Advisory Partners is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth initiatives across our sustainability and cleantech portfolio. This role combines strategic business development, client relationship management, project coordination, and partnership development within the innovation and energy sectors.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Client Management
- Lead business development activities including investor outreach, partnership development, and customer acquisition for portfolio companies
- Manage multiple client projects simultaneously, serving as primary point of contact for key accounts
- Conduct market research to identify target markets, customers, and strategic opportunities for cleantech clients
- Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders including water utility companies, universities, investors, government bodies, and industry partners
- Develop and execute outreach strategies to sponsors, partners, hotels, and investors across various sectors
Tender & Grant Management
- Identify and monitor tender opportunities through Proactis, UK Government websites, and council platforms
- Coordinate and write tender applications including scope analysis, document organization, Gantt charts, and team coordination
- Research and identify relevant grants and funding opportunities through Innovate UK and government websites
- Build consortiums for funding applications, including outreach to universities and industry partners
Project Coordination & Management
- Coordinate project activities including timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communications
- Organize and manage events, including venue selection, speaker coordination, sponsorship packages, and attendee registration
- Maintain CRM systems (HubSpot) and project management tools to track pipelines, contacts, and opportunities
- Prepare project plans, review contracts and letters of intent, and manage multi-party negotiations
- Coordinate with external consultants, working groups, and partners on deliverables and timelines
Strategic Support & Content Development
- Develop and refine pitch decks, marketing brochures, and presentation materials for clients
- Conduct competitive analysis and create comparison matrices to identify market positioning
- Contribute to reports, proposals, and strategic documents for clients and partners
- Monitor industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities through media organizations and platforms like PitchBook
Relationship Building & Networking
- Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and networking sessions
- Establish and nurture relationships with key decision-makers in target sectors
- Facilitate introductions and coordinate meetings between clients and potential partners/investors
- Follow up persistently on leads and opportunities, maintaining professional communication throughout long sales cycles
Required Qualifications
- 2-3 years of proven experience in business development, sales, or client relationship management
- Strong understanding of sustainability, cleantech, or energy innovation sectors
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to prepare professional documents and presentations
- Experience with CRM systems (HubSpot preferred) and project management tools
- Strong research and analytical skills with ability to identify market opportunities
- Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with water utility companies, universities, or research institutions
- Knowledge of UK government funding mechanisms (Innovate UK, tender processes)
- Experience in venture capital or investor relations within cleantech/sustainability sectors
- Event management experience, particularly for industry conferences and networking events
- Familiarity with technologies in biofuels, hydrogen, water treatment, or sustainable infrastructure
- Existing network within the UK sustainability and cleantech ecosystem
Key Skills & Competencies
Business Development: Investor outreach, partnership development, market research, lead generation, pipeline management.
Project Management: Multi-stakeholder coordination, timeline management, contract review, event organization, budget coordination.
Communication & Writing: Pitch deck development, tender writing, professional correspondence, presentation skills, report writing.
Technical Skills: HubSpot CRM, Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, research databases, online meeting platforms.
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