Head of Business Development

Job Title -  Head of Business Development

Location - Nationwide

Reporting - Deputy Chief Executive Officer

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 Head of Business Development is responsible for delivering the Company’s growth strategy across residential and supported living services for people with learning disabilities.

Reporting to the Deputy CEO, the role focuses on generating and converting referrals, developing strong commissioner relationships, and supporting the development of new services. With a strong focus on building relationship with external property developers and registered social landlords. The postholder will play a key role in ensuring sustainable occupancy, identifying growth opportunities, and contributing to the Company’s expansion plans.

The role works closely with operational leaders to ensure that growth is aligned with service quality, financial sustainability, and person-centred care.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth

• Deliver the Company’s business development plan in line with strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities for new services, service expansion, and geographic growth.
• Support the mobilisation of new services, including residential homes and supported living schemes.
• Contribute to market analysis, identifying trends, gaps, and opportunities within the sector.

Referrals & Pipeline Management

• Lead the management of the referrals pipeline across residential and supported living services.
• Ensure timely assessment, tracking, and conversion of referrals into placements.
• Work closely with operational teams to match individuals to appropriate services.
• Monitor occupancy levels and take proactive action to maintain sustainability.

Commissioner & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, commissioners, and health partners.
• Act as a key point of contact for placement teams and commissioning bodies.
• Represent the Company at meetings, forums, and partnership events.
• Maintain awareness of commissioning priorities and funding frameworks.

Tenders, Proposals & Service Development

• Lead and support the preparation of tender submissions, proposals, and presentations.
• Work with senior leadership to develop business cases for new services.
• Support the design of service models to meet commissioner needs and market demand.

Property & Development Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external property developers and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to support the growth of supported living and residential services.
• Identify and progress opportunities for new service developments through property partnerships, including new builds, property conversions, and lease arrangements.
• Work collaboratively with property partners to align development opportunities with commissioner demand and Company strategy.
• Support site identification, feasibility assessment, and pipeline development for new services.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (operations, finance, and leadership) to ensure property opportunities are operationally suitable and financially viable.
• Contribute to negotiations and partnership discussions relating to property agreements, alongside senior leadership where required.

Commercial Awareness

• Support pricing discussions and ensure placements are commercially viable.
• Contribute to financial modelling and business cases for new opportunities.
• Ensure alignment between referrals, service delivery, and financial sustainability.

Collaboration with Operations

• Work closely with Operational Managing Directors and service leaders to align referrals with capacity and capability.
• Support the successful mobilisation of new placements and services.
• Ensure a smooth transition from referral to service delivery.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and support Business Development Managers in line with Swanton values, promoting the Company’s PRIDE Ethos and behavioural framework.
• Promote a positive Company culture aligned with the Swanton’s PRIDE Ethos.

• Set clear targets for referrals, conversions, and occupancy.
• Promote a high-performance, responsive, and collaborative team culture.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Experience in business development, referrals, or commissioning within adult social care.
• Knowledge of residential and/or supported living services for people with learning disabilities.
• Experience working with local authority commissioners and placement teams.
• Proven ability to manage referrals and contribute to occupancy growth.

Essential Skills

• Relationship management and stakeholder engagement
• Strong organisational and pipeline management skills
• Commercial awareness and understanding of funding models
• Communication and influencing skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across operational and central teams

Desirable

• Experience leading tenders or contributing to service development projects
• Experience managing or mentoring team members
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks in social care

Key Outcomes

Success in the role will be demonstrated by:

• Strong and consistent referral pipelines
• High conversion rates from referral to placement
• Positive relationships with commissioners and partners
• Contribution to new service development and growth