Welplan Business Development Manager

WE ARE

Welplan, a wholly owned subsidiary of BESA, provides specialist employee benefits for the construction, building engineering services, infrastructure and nuclear sectors. With more than 65 years’ experience, Welplan helps employers protect and support their workforce through practical benefit arrangements including death-in-service cover, accident and sickness protection, disability support and weekly sick pay.

Welplan supports employers by making employee protection straightforward to administer, with flexible schemes that can be tailored to industry agreements, site-specific requirements and the needs of different workforces. Its services help businesses demonstrate commitment to employee wellbeing, strengthen recruitment and retention, and provide workers and their families with financial support when it is needed most. Want to find out more? Visit: www.welplan.co.uk

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Business Development Manager will be responsible for identifying, securing and developing new business opportunities for the Company’s employee benefits platform and associated services, with a particular focus on organisations operating within the construction and infrastructure sectors.

The role requires an individual with significant industry experience who understands the unique employment structures, National Agreements and Site Agreements that govern workforce engagement across major construction projects. The successful candidate will build relationships with key stakeholders, negotiate commercial agreements, and ensure a smooth transition of newly won clients to the Operations team for implementation and ongoing service delivery.

This is a strategic and commercially focused role with responsibility for revenue growth, market intelligence, client relationship management and management reporting.

We welcome applications from both full-time and part-time candidates. Full-time hours are 35 per week, and for part-time applicants we envisage a minimum of three days per week, but are happy to discuss flexibility. This role can be undertaken on a hybrid basis from our Penrith or London office, or remotely.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development & Opportunity Identification

• Identify and develop new business opportunities for the employee benefits platform across construction, engineering, infrastructure and related sectors.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective clients.
• Research market trends, projects and workforce developments to identify potential opportunities.
• Develop and execute business development plans aligned to business growth objectives.
• Attend industry events, conferences and networking opportunities to generate leads and increase market visibility.

Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain relationships with senior decision-makers, HR leaders, project directors, industrial relations teams and trade union representatives.
• Develop trusted advisor relationships with prospective clients.
• Understand client requirements and demonstrate how employee benefits solutions can support workforce engagement, retention and wellbeing objectives.
• Maintain regular contact with key prospects and stakeholders throughout the sales lifecycle.
• Development of Welplan’s Nuclear Programme offer. This will leverage relationships within the Civil Works Alliance, the MEH Alliance and Site Operations.

Commercial Negotiation & Deal Management

• Lead commercial discussions and contract negotiations with prospective clients.
• Prepare proposals, presentations and business cases.
• Manage opportunities through the sales pipeline to successful conclusion.
• Ensure all commercial arrangements meet organisational objectives and governance requirements.

Client Handover & Implementation Support

• Facilitate a structured handover of new clients to the Client Services team.
• Ensure all client requirements, commitments and implementation considerations are fully documented.
• Support the implementation phase where required to ensure a positive client experience.
• Maintain engagement with key accounts during the transition period.

Market Intelligence

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of industry developments, workforce practices and employee benefits trends.
• Monitor competitor activity and identify emerging opportunities.
• Provide insight and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.

Management Reporting

• Produce regular pipeline, ac…