Business Development Manager UK&I

Company Description InnoFund is dedicated to helping organizations succeed by driving innovation across the UK economy. The company challenges traditional approaches to innovation incentives by redefining how innovation is identified, valued, and funded. As R&D and innovation funding specialists, InnoFund supports clients through every stage of the innovation life cycle, from early concept to commercialization. By partnering with clients early, InnoFund enables them to unlock and maximize available funding opportunities. The company’s mission is to accelerate UK innovation to create a better future for clients, the environment, and the wider economy.
Role Description The Business Development Manager UK&I will be responsible for identifying, developing, and closing new business opportunities with organizations seeking R&D and innovation funding support. This full-time, on-site role, based in the Manchester Area, United Kingdom, involves managing the entire sales cycle, from prospecting and qualifying leads to presenting tailored solutions and negotiating contracts. The role includes building and maintaining strong relationships with key decision-makers, collaborating closely with internal R&D and advisory teams to align client needs with InnoFund’s services, and contributing to strategic growth plans for the UK&I region. The Business Development Manager will also prepare proposals, deliver presentations, track pipeline activity, and provide regular performance reporting to leadership.
Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in business development, sales, or account management, ideally within financial services, consulting, or innovation/R&D funding.
• Strong skills in lead generation, opportunity qualification, and pipeline management, with the ability to work to clear revenue and growth targets.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and explain complex concepts clearly.
• Proven relationship-building and client management capabilities, including maintaining long-term partnerships and identifying upsell or cross-sell opportunities.
• Solid commercial acumen, including understanding of UK&I market dynamics, innovation funding landscape, and business drivers for clients.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and contribute to go-to-market strategies and business development initiatives.
• Comfort with using CRM tools, sales productivity software, and basic data analysis to track performance and inform decision-making.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business, finance, economics, or a related field; experience in R&D tax relief, grants, or innovation incentives is an advantage.
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously while working on-site in the Manchester Area.