Business Development Manager

Open Lens Media CIC

Background

Open Lens Media (OLM) is a Training, Development and Engagement Social Enterprise utilising creative approaches in Media and Digital Technology to provide employability, educational, community engagement, training and consultation services to young people and youth focused agencies.

We specialise in working directly with children, young people, and young adults between the ages of 11-16, 17-24 and 25-35 stemming from disenfranchised and low socio-economic backgrounds. Our aim is to support them in developing essential personal and professional skills that help them transition sustainably into further education, employment, training, or entrepreneurship.

Social Mission

Our social mission is to contribute to building a more equitable society where all young people have equal access to progressive opportunities in education, employment, and training, regardless of their socio-economic status. We are committed to ensuring that every young person is equipped with the skills, confidence, and support they need to fulfil their potential and shape a brighter future.

Role Overview

We are looking for a strategic and driven Business Development Manager to join our team. This is a key leadership role responsible for expanding Open Lens Media’s reach, revenue streams, and partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in income generation, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to translate social impact into tangible business growth.

You will play a vital part in ensuring the sustainability and expansion of our overall organisational growth, youth-centred programmes and accredited courses by identifying new opportunities, securing funding, and cultivating relationships with partners, funders, and commissioners.

Responsibilities:

Business Growth & Strategy Develop and lead the organisation’s business development strategy in alignment with its social mission and strategic goals. Identify and pursue new funding sources, income-generating opportunities, and commissioned work. Develop service proposals and pricing models that reflect the value and impact of OLM’s offerings.

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement Build and manage partnerships with external stakeholders including funders, local authorities, corporate sponsors, education institutions, and community organisations. Represent OLM at events, conferences, and strategic meetings to promote our work and form valuable collaborations. Negotiate and formalise partnership agreements and funding arrangements.

Fundraising & Income Generation Research funding opportunities including tenders, grants, trusts, and sponsorships. Lead on the writing and submission of compelling funding applications and bids. Track and report on funding outcomes and ensure compliance with funder requirements.

Service Promotion & Outreach Collaborate with the marketing team to develop strategies for promoting services and raising OLM’s profile. Support the development of sales materials, digital content, and presentations tailored to potential partners and funders. Maintain a pipeline of prospects and business opportunities using CRM and reporting tools.

Monitoring & Reporting Set income and partnership KPIs and report regularly on progress to the senior leadership team. Analyse business development performance, identifying trends, successes, and areas for improvement. Contribute to impact reports and evaluations that demonstrate the value of OLM’s work to stakeholders.

Person Specification

(Essential)

• Proven experience in business development, income generation, or fundraising within the charity, social enterprise, or youth sector. Strong understanding of the funding landscape, including public sector contracts, grants, and corporate sponsorships. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in writing proposals and funding applications. Demonstrated ability to build, maintain, and manage stakeholder relationships. Strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Self-motivated with excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

(desirable)

• Experience working with or for a youth-focused organisation.
• Existing relationships within the third sector or funding bodies.
• Understanding of social impact measurement and reporting.
• Degree in Business, Marketing, Social Enterprise, or a related discipline.

Business Growth & Strategy

• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering strategic business development or income-generation plans. Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify viable business opportunities aligned with a social mission. Analytical mindset with the ability to assess market trends and apply them to organisational growth.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Proven ability to build and sustain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including funders, corporate partners, and public sector organisations. Confident public speaker and networker, capable of representing the organisation professionally at events and strategic meetings. Skilled in negotiation, partnership management, and relationship development.

Fundraising Expertise

• In-depth knowledge of fundraising strategies, grant application processes, and the ability to identify and pursue funding opportunities. Experience in developing compelling grant proposals and bids that effectively communicate project objectives and outcomes.

Project Planning and Coordination

• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to develop detailed project plans and coordinate activities across diverse teams. Proven ability to manage budgets, track expenses, and ensure efficient resource utilization.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders, including youth participants, community partners, and funders. Clear and concise communication skills to facilitate effective collaboration and keep stakeholders informed.

• excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders, including youth participants, community partners, and funders. Clear and concise communication skills to facilitate effective collaboration and keep stakeholders informed.

Youth Empowerment Focus

• Passion for youth development and a commitment to creating impactful programs that empower and uplift young individuals. Experience in designing and implementing youth-focused initiatives in collaboration with community partners.

Risk Management

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify potential risks and develop effective mitigation strategies. Proactive approach to addressing challenges and ensuring the smooth progression of projects.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ability to establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure project success. Experience conducting evaluations and incorporating feedback for continuous improvement.

Technical Skills

• Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.

How to Apply:

If you believe you are the right person for this role, we encourage you to apply for the position. Please submit the following documents via email to with the email subject line ‘Business Development Manager or Reference OLM/BDM

1. Application form – see attached documents

2. Resume/CV and brief Covering Letter:

Please use these to explain your interest in this role, how your skills and experience align with the responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job description References: Provide contact information for at least two professional references who can speak to your qualifications, character, work experience and or work ethic.

Application deadline: 12 th May 2025 (end of day)