Business Development Lead

In Europe, we work closely with our customers to deliver custom-made and specialized services across International Organizations, Space, Immigration, and Defence. We provide tailored services for various public sector bodies including European Institutions, the Belgian and German Defence, the European Space Agency, and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Our expertise spans IT services, Facility Management, Space Research, and Operations.

We’re looking for a Business Development Lead, to reinforce the team in our Brussels office

As an International Organisations Business Development Lead you will be responsible for:

• Contribute to the leadership of the Business Development (BD) team and provide direction to the BD function for the International Organisations market in line with the business sector vision, goals and strategies.
• Create and implement a BD International Organisations (IO) strategy in line with Europe and Group strategy for high growth and margin improvement.
• Own the delivery of the IO market sales targets to ensure successful implementation of the business plan, secure contract wins and revenue growth.
• Deliver on our commitments to provide high quality services that create sustainable value for our customers, employees and shareholders.
• Ensure that all business opportunities are properly qualified and reviewed in order to maximise opportunity, profitability and manage/control business and financial risk.
• The role is responsible for the delivery of the IO market’s sales targets and successful management of IO bid opportunities in Europe. To lead the delivery of Serco's growth strategy in this market. Deliver an ambitious growth plan containing opportunity for new business and account growth.
• The role reports directly to the Managing Director of International Organisations & Special projects. There is currently one direct report, however this may expand as the success of the segment grows.

Winning Good Business:

• To contribute as a member of the business unit’s senior management team in the formation of the business’ strategies and plans.
• To put in place robust strategies and plans for the IO business stream, aligned to Serco Group and divisional strategies, that will deliver the objectives of the Business Unit in IO.
• To deliver profitable contract wins and success for a large investment opportunity pipeline.
• Maximise opportunities for growth in current and new capabilities.
• To develop and maintain a network of relationships with customers, potential customers in the sector, partners and stakeholders to develop the credibility of Serco.
• To represent and promote the ‘Serco Way’ to customers, stakeholders, the community and the public, fostering a partnership approach to relationships.
• To provide leadership to a matrix team of key internal stakeholders, such that all understand and adopt the strategy and plans and are motivated to achieve their objectives in a timely and professional manner.
• To develop a deep understanding of the needs of the IO sector across a range of areas to ensure that Serco can develop winning propositions that will delight the customer. In particular to develop “upstream” opportunities and shape opportunities before they reach tender stage to maximise Serco’s ability to win.
• To ensure that the winning contracts are optimally structured, reviewed, managed and operated according to the bid, ensuring stakeholders are fully engaged.
• To ensure that all bids are financially viable and that the best financial model is adopted throughout the bid process in order to achieve profit and cash targets meeting corporate and legal requirements.
• To lead and engage in the development of a network of senior relationships with customers, potential customers, partners and stakeholders in order to anticipate and meet customer’s existing and future needs and enhance Serco’s reputation.
• Develop innovative products and services that can be integrated with others from across the business to meet the needs of our chosen and emerging market.

A Place People are Proud to Work:

• To coordinate at a European level the IO teams in countries. Ensure they share the company’s strategic objectives and that they have clear plan to implement it in country. Support potential recruitment in coordination with the local management.
• Where necessary, support to recruit, professionally manage and develop outstanding BD employees and to ensure the business opportunities are staffed with talented motivated people who play to their strengths to meet the business needs and are motivated to improve the business.
• Understand, own and be a passionate and proactive role model for our Governing Principles and ensure that they are fully embedded throughout the business stream.
• In return, we offer a friendly, supportive and professional environment that respects your work/life balance and ultimately contributes to the delivery of public services in Europe and around the world.

Executing Brilliantly:

• Work with other divisions and countries to identify and deliver cross-selling opportunities that benefit Serco as a whole.
• Implement and adhere to Serco’s agreed common processes and systems to maximise value for Serco and the customer.
• To ensure the bids produced ensure our customers receive ethical delivery, effective service and great value.
• Ensure the business delivers a level of service and value that enhances the Serco brand and fosters the development of long-term partnering relationships.
• Identify opportunities to satisfy customer requirements through inter-operability throughout our organisation.

Profitable & Sustainable:

• To deliver the business sector sales target.
• To ensure a business development strategy is in place and deliver the growth aspirations of the contracts in line with the commitment to the Business sector and divisional targets.
• To ensure effective financial management is in place to deliver the sales target within budget.

Essential technical and professional skills, knowledge and qualifications:

Knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge of IOs, government and quasi-government procurement processes.
• Deep knowledge of the various sales mechanisms available to Government to take an opportunity to market (ITT, Competitive Dialogue, Negotiated Procedure, etc).
• Excellent knowledge of how to use company governance processes to translate potential sales opportunities into successfully run and profitable operations.
• Deep knowledge of international organisations, the way they procure and work.
• Excellent understanding of service business.

Skills:

• Excellent relationship building and stakeholder management skills, at very senior levels within government, and partner/subcontractors.
• Top performer, Highly impactful, articulate, with the ability to influence at all levels and with evidence of building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external customers and key business stakeholders.
• Knowledge/experience of key current and potential stakeholders in the market.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to assimilate information quickly and communicate key messages simply and effectively to the business to aid decision making.
• Sound strategic thinker with Entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to operate with a hands-on, pragmatic approach when required.
• Strongly values led individual with excellent judgement and decision-making skills.
• Self-aware yet highly resilient individual capable of challenging and being challenged.
• Commercially astute and financially aware with proven strategy development and execution capability.
• Extensive experience of successful leadership of marketing, sales, BD and human capital.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills to include interpersonal, written, staff level and executive level business briefings.
• Strongly values led individual with excellent judgement and decision-making skills.
• Self-motivated and self-aware yet highly resilient individual capable of challenging and being challenged.

Experience:

• Evidence of developing, and executing, a clear strategy for account management which results in increased profitable market share.
• Recent and relevant experience of working with key accounts and customers across the international public sector.
• Strong track record of developing effective collaborations and partnerships and building consensus in cross-cultural and cross-functional environments.
• Successful experience in the IO sector.
• Experience in the field of service business would be well regarded.
• Experience of proactively engaging customers to improve relationships for the long-term and continue to drive value.
• Experience of leading and motivating teams (especially matrix management teams).

Additional / special features of the role:

• The role might require some travel across Europe.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with other regions to call on Serco’s global expertise; at times this may require additional travel, globally.

About Serco Group

Serco is a leading provider of public services. Our customers are governments or others operating in the public sector. We gain scale, expertise and diversification by operating internationally across five sectors and four geographies: Defence, Space, Justice & Immigration, Transport, Health and Citizen Services, delivered in UK & Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. More information can be found at Serco | Europe.

Why Should You Join Serco?

• Contribute to innovative projects in the public services sector, and making a difference.
• Your contributions are valued and recognized, with opportunities for professional/personal growth.
• Be part of a company passionate about diversity and inclusion.
• Enjoy a friendly and professional environment that respects your work-life balance.

We are diverse and inclusive organisation

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential and we are committed to supporting the needs of all our colleagues. It’s a mix of people from different backgrounds, experiences and opinion that keeps our culture strong and vibrant.

We believe in equity so we strongly encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their abilities in an interview. We also welcome a conversation about any adjustments that would make the interview process more accessible for you. Wherever possible we are open to discussions around flexible working and we operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas.

In the UK we are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader in the government’s scheme and hold the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard; in Belgium we are partner of Diversicom and member of Charter der Vielfalt in Germany.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to The Serco Europe Recruitment Team.

Important

Any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing documents to verify your identity and employment eligibility, as required by law.

Please contact the recruitment team if needed.

• Job Category IT Professionals (All types)