Business Development Manager x2

About The Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Dean Baker, Head of Business Development (SME), at  Are you ready for a new challenge and to help transform UK manufacturing?

WMG has an opportunity for a Business Development Manager to raise external awareness of industrial engagement opportunities within Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), working with organisations to help de-risk and accelerate innovation and growth in the UK, and enabling businesses to access a range of the latest innovations across manufacturing & materials, digital manufacturing, transport electrification and business transformation.

• Be responsible for all aspects of business development with multiple stakeholders, as well as the management and delivery of agreed objectives, multi-sector across a diversity of research teams.
• Work with SMEs to identify key aspects for productivity and efficiency improvements, including identifying suitable funding routes and direct contract engagement to deliver the technologies, knowledge, and people skills to help SMEs maximise opportunity, innovation, and growth for WMG and UK plc.

The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of business development and/or key account management within a manufacturing environment.

They will have strong competence in understanding how each of the different innovation and technology programs within WMG can apply to each individual client, and they will feel comfortable engaging with stakeholders on both technical and commercial discussions across the engineering and manufacturing sector.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate success in either securing new business or working on strategic accounts to improve growth and understanding the market competitiveness in an organisation.

The candidate should have a clear strategic approach and capability to understand where priorities should be focused, and be fully committed to act as a trusted ambassador for WMG.

The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) is the largest department at the University of Warwick, with over 800 staff and nearly 3,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in management, technology, and applied engineering.

We are globally recognised for our world-class research, innovative industry partnerships, and teaching excellence, and we are proud holders of the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Institutional Silver Award
.

Find out more about the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre.

Find out more about the Energy Innovation Centre.

Find out more about our range of undergraduate and apprenticeship degrees here.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK
. Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent
.

Find out more about us at

• World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025
• Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE:
Monday 9th February 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV Should Include

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your Cover Letter Should Explain

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

• Interview Date:
  To be confirmed
• Start Date:
  
  01 March 2026

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal () will be considered.

We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

The University of Warwick is committed to…