Business Development Manager

Are you a commercially driven Business Development Manager with an engineering background and a passion for turning technical expertise into meaningful commercial success?

Do you thrive on building relationships, spotting opportunities others miss, and owning the full journey from first conversation through to deal closure?

Looking for a role where you’ll have real influence, autonomy, and the chance to shape growth within an innovative, forward-thinking engineering and software business?

Gillespie Recruitment are delighted to be working with a highly respected, Newcastle-based engineering and software specialist, as they look to appoint an experienced Business Development Manager to support the next phase of their growth.

This is a rare opportunity to join a technically brilliant, values-driven organisation operating at the forefront of offshore wind and engineering innovation.

As Business Development Manager, you’ll sit within a small but high-impact Commercial Team, working closely with senior leadership to identify, develop, and close revenue-generating opportunities.

You’ll take ownership of sales across subscription-based engineering software, bespoke consultancy services, and collaborative R&D and innovation projects. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and will suit someone who enjoys having responsibility, influence, and variety.

You’ll be trusted to use your initiative, contribute ideas, and help shape both commercial strategy and market positioning, while working collaboratively with technical, marketing, and leadership teams.

You’ll also build a deep understanding of the offshore wind value chain, industry challenges, and market trends, using that insight to prioritise and pursue the most valuable opportunities – both in the UK and globally.

• Identifying, developing, and closing sales opportunities across software subscriptions, consultancy, and innovation projects
• Building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with clients and industry stakeholders
• Owning proposals from concept through to submission and contract agreement
• Advising on pricing, commercial structures, and payment terms to balance client needs and profitability
• Working closely with senior leadership during contract negotiation, including identifying when legal input is required
• Managing and maintaining accurate CRM records to track pipelines, key accounts, and opportunities
• Using market insight, customer feedback, and industry trends to inform commercial strategy and product development
• Representing the business at conferences, webinars, and industry events, including presentations and panel discussions
• Supporting marketing activity, including campaigns, proposals, thought-leadership content, and sector positioning
• Identifying new markets, sectors, products, and services to drive long-term growth
• Where required, supporting delivery of consultancy or R&D projects using relevant technical expertise

Essential:

• Proven Business Development or commercial experience within a SaaS or time-based consultancy environment
• Strong engineering background with expertise relevant to offshore wind or complex engineering systems
• Commercially astute with a demonstrable track record of closing deals and meeting revenue targets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to engage both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong relationship-builder with a broad, relevant industry network
• Confident negotiator with experience of contracts, pricing structures, and IP considerations
• Analytical, strategic, and evidence-driven in decision-making
• Able to lead, influence, and bring colleagues along with a shared plan
• Comfortable working in a small, growing organisation where roles can evolve

Desirable:

• Experience securing innovation or research funding
• HubSpot or similar CRM experience
• Understanding of model-based engineering principles
• Additional language skills relevant to international offshore wind markets
• Postgraduate qualification

• Professional, approachable, and confident with a wide range of stakeholders
• Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-focused
• Comfortable working independently while contributing fully to a team environment
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Committed to continuous learning and self-development
• Able to quickly grasp complex engineering topics and communicate them clearly
• Aligned with values of integrity, trust, fairness, and excellence

• Salary between £35,000 – £50,000, depending on experience
• Newcastle-based role with national and international exposure
• Genuine autonomy and influence within a growing business
• Supportive, collaborative, and intellectually stimulating environment
• Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of offshore wind and engineering innovation