Jennifer Ashe & Son Funeral Directors is looking for a confident, proactive and highly organised Business Development Manager to strengthen our presence within the communities we serve.
The focus of this role is community engagement, relationship building and marketing rather than direct sales. The successful candidate will take responsibility for identifying local opportunities, developing valuable community connections and ensuring that our marketing activity is planned well in advance.
This is a visible and outward-facing position. It will involve making telephone calls, arranging meetings, visiting local organisations and confidently representing the company at community events. It is not solely a desk-based or digital marketing role.
You will build lasting relationships with care homes, community groups, charities, schools, churches, sports clubs and other local organisations. You will also identify suitable events, sponsorships and promotional opportunities that enable Jennifer Ashe & Son to support the local community while increasing awareness of our services.
The successful candidate will also help develop our social media presence across platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The role requires someone who can combine professional relationship building with creative, engaging and sensitive marketing.
Key responsibilities
- Researching upcoming community events and maintaining a forward marketing and events calendar.
- Planning the company’s involvement in events well in advance, including materials, promotion, staffing and practical arrangements.
- Building and maintaining relationships with care homes, community groups, charities, schools, churches, sports clubs and other organisations.
- Making introductory telephone calls, arranging meetings and visiting local organisations in person.
- Identifying suitable sponsorship opportunities, including local teams, events, pitch-side banners and community projects.
- Attending and supporting community events on behalf of Jennifer Ashe & Son.
- Representing the company professionally, warmly and confidently at all times.
- Developing planned social media content for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
- Creating photographs, short videos, written posts and other engaging content.
- Promoting the company’s community involvement through appropriate online and offline marketing.
- Working with colleagues across the business to gather news, stories and content.
- Ensuring all marketing is appropriate for a funeral business and reflects the company’s professional reputation and values.
- Keeping accurate records of contacts, conversations, opportunities, events and agreed follow-up actions.
- Monitoring community engagement and marketing activity and providing regular progress reports to the Customer Relations Director.
- Developing new ideas to increase the company’s visibility across the communities served by our branches.
- Managing several projects and priorities while ensuring agreed actions are completed on time.
About you
We are looking for someone who is:
- Confident speaking to people by telephone and face to face.
- Comfortable introducing themselves and the company to new contacts.
- Able to build genuine, lasting professional relationships.
- Proactive and willing to identify and pursue opportunities independently.
- Highly organised, forward-thinking and able to plan several months ahead.
- A strong communicator with a professional and approachable manner.
- Experienced in using Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for business.
- Comfortable creating social media photographs, videos and written content.
- Confident using a MacBook and everyday digital tools.
- Creative while remaining sensitive to the nature of our profession.
- Reliable, presentable and capable of representing the company without close supervision.
- Willing to work occasional evenings and weekends to support local events.
Experience
Previous experience in business development, community engagement, marketing, events, partnerships or a similar outward-facing role is highly desirable.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate practical experience of developing professional relationships, confidently contacting new organisations and taking responsibility for projects from the initial idea through to successful delivery.
Driving requirements
Regular travel throughout the company’s operating area is an essential part of this role. Applicants must hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to a suitable vehicle with business-use insurance. Business mileage will be reimbursed as will any increase to insurance from personal to business use.
If you are an energetic, confident and organised person who enjoys meeting people, building local relationships and turning ideas into well-planned activity, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Pay: From £30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- Paid volunteer time
Application question(s):
- This is an outward-facing role involving telephone calls, face-to-face meetings and visits to organisations such as care homes and community groups. Are you comfortable carrying out these activities regularly?
- Are you able to work occasional evenings and weekends to attend community events?
- Why does this role appeal to you?
- Please describe your experience of creating content for Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Tell us what you personally created and, where possible, include links to examples of your work
Experience:
- Marketing: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
