Location
Southwest covering – Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire
Salary
£45k - £55k (depending on experience)
£5000 car allowance
Hours
40 hours – Remote with frequent travel
Reporting to
Head of Business Development
About Us
We are a national provider of care and support with a diverse range of residential and supported living services. The people we support have complex needs, they may have autism, learning disabilities, mental health issues or need a specialist nursing service. We believe that with the right support everyone can achieve greater independence and fulfilling lives, as each person we support is at the heart of all services we provide.
About the Role
The Business Development Manager is responsible for supporting the delivery of the Company's growth strategy across residential and supported living services for people with learning disabilities. Covering Dorset, Somerset, Devon and South Hampshire, the role focuses on strengthening existing partnerships, increasing occupancy, and identifying opportunities for strategic expansion into neighbouring counties to support the Company's continued growth.
Reporting to the Head of Business Development, the role focuses on developing referral opportunities, building and maintaining commissioner relationships, supporting occupancy growth, and identifying opportunities for new service developments. The postholder will work closely with operational teams, commissioners, property partners, and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth and the successful conversion of referrals into placements.
The role plays a key part in ensuring growth is aligned with service quality, commercial viability, and person-centred care.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Growth
- Support the delivery of the Company's business development plan and growth objectives.
- Identify opportunities for service expansion, new developments, and increased occupancy.
- Assist in the mobilisation of new services, including residential homes and supported living schemes.
- Conduct market research and gather intelligence on commissioning priorities, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities.
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of growth opportunities across assigned regions.
Referrals & Pipeline Management
- Manage referral enquiries through the assessment and placement process.
- Develop and maintain strong referral pipelines across residential and supported living services.
- Work with operational colleagues to identify suitable placements and service options.
- Monitor referral activity, conversion rates, and occupancy trends.
- Ensure accurate and timely recording of referral and pipeline activity within company systems.
Commissioner & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain positive relationships with local authority commissioners, placement teams, Integrated Care Boards, and other stakeholders.
- Attend commissioner meetings, provider forums, and networking events.
- Act as a professional ambassador for the Company.
- Support commissioner engagement activities and relationship-management plans.
Tenders, Proposals & Service Development
- Support the preparation of tender submissions, presentations, and proposals.
- Assist in the development of business cases and growth opportunities.
- Contribute to service development projects by providing market and commissioner intelligence.
- Work with colleagues to ensure proposals meet commissioner requirements and organisational objectives.
Property & Development Partnerships
- Support the development of relationships with property developers and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs).
- Assist in identifying property opportunities that support growth plans and commissioner demand.
- Participate in discussions relating to potential new developments, property acquisitions, and lease arrangements.
- Support feasibility assessments and information gathering for new service opportunities.
Commercial Awareness
- Support discussions regarding fee rates and placement funding arrangements.
- Ensure referrals are assessed with consideration to service suitability and commercial viability.
- Contribute to business cases and financial assessments for new opportunities.
- Understand local funding arrangements and commissioning models.
Collaboration with Operations
- Work closely with Operational Managing Directors and service leaders to understand capacity and service capability.
- Support the successful transition of new placements into services.
- Ensure effective communication between business development and operational teams.
- Promote a collaborative approach to achieving occupancy and growth targets.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Experience in business development, referrals, commissioning, account management, or occupancy-focused roles within health and social care.
- Knowledge of residential and/or supported living services for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, or complex care requirements.
- Experience building relationships with commissioners, placement teams, or health and social care stakeholders.
- Experience managing opportunities through a pipeline or referral process.
Essential Skills
- Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.
- Strong organisational and time-management abilities.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of social care funding models.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Ability to analyse information and identify growth opportunities.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM/databases.
Desirable
- Experience of supported living and housing partnerships.
- Experience contributing to tenders, proposals, or service development projects.
- Understanding of commissioning frameworks and procurement processes.
- Knowledge of CQC-regulated services and the wider social care sector.
Key Outcomes
Success in the role will be demonstrated by:
- Growth in referral activity across assigned regions.
- Strong referral-to-placement conversion rates.
- Achievement of occupancy targets.
- Positive and productive commissioner relationships.
- Contribution to new service developments and growth opportunities.
- Accurate management and reporting of pipeline activity.
- Effective collaboration with operational and central support teams.
Benefits
- Competitive pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Salary sacrifice annual leave purchase scheme, giving you the flexibility to buy additional annual leave each year.
- Electric Company Car Scheme
- Ongoing investment in your professional development, leadership training and career progression.
- The opportunity to influence strategic decision-making and shape the future of adult social care across Wales.
- Refer a friend scheme we know that you will know fantastic people who will be make a great contribution, you will receive £400 each time a successful referral is made *
- Above and beyond we recognise that our staff teams do amazing things for the people we support and their teams. We award contributions for those who go the extra mile and for good inspection feedback with vouchers for high street shops and other surprises!
- Long service awards we recognize your contribution to the team and celebrate long service
- Employee benefits app stay connected to our community, receive discounts across everyday and luxury shops, access information about learning & development opportunities.
- Cycle to work you can save money and get fit with our salary sacrifice scheme
- Pension we will auto enrol you into our salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Life cover you will be entitled to the death in service benefit.
- Funded qualifications earn whilst you learn! we aim to develop our own talent, giving you the opportunity to develop your career with Swanton *
- Career pathways we invest in our people and offer apprenticeships in Health and Social Care (Level 3). Earn whilst you learn has never been easier
- Swanton Educates we have our own training qualification center which can further support your development
- Trained mental health first aiders available to support you when you need someone to talk to
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) free confidential access to 24hr assistance program for counselling, advice and support
- Employee Voice we hold regular events throughout the year to listen to your feedback about working with us
- subject to eligibility & criteria
