Director of Business Development

Help shape the future of support for people with a learning disability This is an exciting opportunity to join Mencap at a pivotal moment in our journey and play a leading role in shaping the future of our Personal Support Services. For almost 80 years, Mencap has been at the forefront of supporting people with a learning disability and their families, campaigning for inclusion, challenging inequality and helping to create a society where everyone is valued equally. Today, we are entering a new chapter of ambition. With a new organisational strategy, renewed determination and a clear vision for greater impact, we are looking to grow our reach, strengthen our services and create more opportunities for people with a learning disability to live the lives they choose. As Director of Business Development , you will be central to making that ambition a reality. This role will be home based, with regular national travel involved About the role This is a leadership role with the strategic responsibility for d elivering sustainable growth in Mencap’s Personal Support Services across our existing services models and the expansion of our specialist services including complex needs, forensic pathways, transitions and young adults services . You will lead the development of new business opportunities, while protecting and strengthening our existing services and ensuring we continue to respond proactively to the changing commissioning and funding landscape , inorganic growth and acquisition opportunities. Reporting to the Executive Director of Personal Support (England) , you will lead on business development activity across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, working closely with colleagues across the organisation to identify opportunities, develop partnerships and secure sustainable services that deliver positive outcomes for people with a learning disability. You will build and maintain strong relationships with local and national partners, commissioners, service purchasers and housing providers, positioning Mencap as a trusted and credible partner. You will bring commercial insight, sector expertise and a strong understanding of the commissioning environment to identify opportunities that align with our strategy, values and charitable purpose. A key part of the role will be working collaboratively across Mencap. You will develop close relationships with the Executive Director of Inclusive Communities and Partnerships , ensuring our approach reflects the different needs, priorities and commissioning environments across the nations. You will also play a key role in retaining and reprovisioning existing services, addressing voids and ensuring that our portfolio remains sustainable and responsive to the needs of the people we support. You will demonstrate accountable and inclusive leadership to the business development team to support the delivery of strong performance and achievement of effective outcomes across the team. This is a role for someone who can combine strategic thinking with commercial delivery – someone who can spot opportunities, build trusted relationships, negotiate effectively , an appetite for innovation and who can bring people with them on the journey. About you We are looking for an experienced senior business development or commercial leader who understands the learning disability and social care landscape and is motivated by the opportunity to use their expertise to create meaningful social impact. You will bring: Significant experience in a senior business development, commercial or growth role within health, social care, disability support or a closely related sector , with a strong track record of securing sustainable new business and delivering growth , particularly supporting people with complex needs, forensic pathways, transitions and young adults services . A strong understanding of the learning disability sector , including market trends, commissioning models, funding structures and regulatory environments across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Proven experience of leading complex contract negotiations, competitive tenders and re-tendering processes , from identifying an opportunity through to successful mobilisation. The ability to develop and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with commissioners, service purchasers, local authorities, health partners and other senior stakeholders. Experience of working with housing providers and a good understanding of supported living and accommodation-based services. Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience of budgets, cost control, business cases and assessing the financial and operational viability of opportunities. Excellent leadership and influencing skills, with the credibility and confidence to engage senior stakeholders internally and externally. Exceptional communication and networking skills, with the ability to represent Mencap confidently and build support for our ambitions. The ability to work strategically while maintaining a strong focus on delivery, with the adaptability to operate effectively across different nations, commissioning environments and organisational contexts. Most importantly, you will share Mencap’s commitment to improving the lives of people with a learning disability. You will understand that sustainable growth is not an end in itself – it is a means of creating greater choice, opportunity and impact for the people and communities we support. Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), a generous pension scheme, along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings. For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team! About Mencap Why Mencap? This is a rare opportunity to join one of the UK's most recognised charity brands at a defining point in its journey. Mencap has a proud history, but we are not standing still. We have renewed ambition and a clear opportunity to grow our impact at a time when people with a learning disability continue to face significant inequality and barriers to living the lives they choose. As Director of Business Development, you will have the opportunity to influence that future – developing partnerships, securing sustainable services and helping Mencap reach more people and communities across the UK. This role is part of Mencap’s Strategic Leadership Group, contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation as a whole and role-modelling of our values-led, purpose-driven leadership ethos and ways of working. You will be joining a passionate and committed leadership community where your expertise, ideas and relationships can make a genuine difference. If you are an ambitious and values-led business development leader who wants to use your experience to create positive social impact, we would love to hear from you. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applicants with disabilities to apply for all roles with us. We are an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation and particularly welcome and encourage applications from disabled people and people from all communities, who are currently under-represented within our workforce. #J-18808-Ljbffr