Head of New Business

Since formally launching Chemonics UK in May 2019, we have established a strong and diverse portfolio of UK Aid-funded programmes as well as partnerships with donors including International Development Banks and European bilateral donors. We work with government and development sector counterparts across three continents to deliver programmes in sectors including climate action, education, governance, peacebuilding, stabilisation, social cohesion, and research.

Purpose

The Head of New Business will be responsible for driving the growth and diversification of our client portfolio, with a particular focus on maintaining and expanding our relationship with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This role will be accountable for achieving annual backlog targets, managing a new business team and collaborating with technical practices to achieve these targets.

The Head of New Business will balance external market and stakeholder engagement with the leadership of high-priority proposals, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, competitive bids. This position will sit on the senior leadership team and report directly to the Managing Director.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive new business strategy to achieve annual backlog targets.
• Lead diversification efforts to attract and secure new clients beyond the FCDO.
• Monitor market trends and identify new business opportunities in the international development sector.
• Take a leadership role in deciding and approving which opportunities Chemonics UK responds to.
• Analyses development funding trends and priorities; formulates the largest and most complex strategies, new directions, and techniques to grow the company and improve market share; networks with clients, consultants, and counterparts regarding new business opportunities.

Proposal Leadership

• Lead the development of high-priority proposals, ensuring alignment with client requirements and organisational standards.
• Ensure all proposals are thoroughly reviewed and meet internal quality standards before submission.
• Leads resourcing for proposal opportunities, aligning the needs of the full project portfolio with the capacity and interests of staff within and outside of the BU

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, particularly the FCDO.
• Represent the organisation at industry events, conferences, and meetings to enhance visibility and reputation.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure our proposals address their priorities.
• Proactively identify and develop effective working relationships with new clients, counterparts, potential partners, and stakeholders and continually promotes outstanding client service with corporate office staff and project office teams.

Financial Management

• Backlog target responsibility
• Develop and manage the new business budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Track proposal expenditures and ensure they remain within budget while delivering desired outcomes.
• Report on financial performance and provide insights to senior leadership.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the new business function.
• Implement lessons learned from previous proposals to improve future bid success rates.
• Stay updated on industry best practices and incorporate them into the new business strategy.

Management and Leadership

• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates multiple direct reports, communicating clear performance goals and standards and offering regular performance feedback and prompt resolution of problems conducts performance reviews; promotes staff development through coaching, mentoring, and facilitating professional growth.
• Leads and significantly contributes to corporate initiatives that leverage new revenue streams, realising efficiencies and cost savings.
• Manages and mitigates project and corporate risks, including those that required company-wide policy and practice shifts.
• Leads, implements and/or significantly contributes to corporate initiatives to share knowledge and solutions; builds staff and company capacity.
• Leads documentation and open sharing of best practices and important innovations company-wide, including in the project office; delivers effective oral and written presentations that advance development assistance knowledge and understanding; and communicates in a way that persuades and promotes openness and innovation.
• Promotes and exemplifies Chemonics' values and ethical standards and manages staff to achieve team and development objectives.
• Creates a productive and motivating work environment for staff by promoting cooperation and teamwork across departments, staying abreast of management leadership, and team building strategies and advocating for them within Chemonics.
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviors and leadership consistent with Chemonics' values and leadership competencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Serves in the acting Managing Director capacity, as required; may be delegated specific approvals from the Managing Director.

Person S pecification

• Proven experience in a senior business development role within the international development sector.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful business strategies.
• Strong commercial acumen and budget management experience.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Operates at advanced levels of authority and controls significant activities, budgets, and resources to produce and take responsibility for results.
• Thorough knowledge of Chemonics main clients and their operations and experience cultivating client and partner relationships.
• Leads effective meetings and demonstrated presentation skills.
• Recognised by others as an experienced international development practitioner; contributes consistently to mentoring staff.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, organisational, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising staff assigned to a department or several project teams and new business efforts; demonstrates leadership, versatility, and integrity.
• Willingness to travel and work abroad up to 4 months per year.
• UK work authorisation or ability to obtain it required.

Apply by: Sunday 17th November 2024