Business Development Manager Healthcare jobs

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving the sustainable growth and commercial success of Care Dorset by identifying new opportunities, strengthening strategic partnerships, and supporting the expansion of high-quality, person-centred services.
The role will work closely with operational managers to maximise occupancy and increase the proportion of self-funding clients across care homes and day opportunities, ensuring a balanced and financially sustainable service model.
Through effective engagement with commissioners, partners, and local communities, the postholder will enhance Care Dorset’s market presence, diversify income streams, and contribute to the delivery of innovative services that meet the evolving needs of people across Dorset and the South West.

Growth & Strategy

• Identify, develop, and deliver sustainable business growth opportunities across Care Dorset services, including residential care, supported living and day opportunities.
• Contribute to the development and execution of Care Dorset’s commercial strategy, aligning with Dorset Council priorities and wider Integrated Care System (ICS) objectives.
• Proactively analyse local market demand, demographic trends, and gaps in provision to inform service expansion and development.

Self-funder growth & Income diversification

• Work closely with Registered Managers and Operational Leads to increase the number and proportion of self-funders across care homes and day opportunity services.
• Support managers to:
• Identify barriers to self-funder growth (e.g., reputation, visibility, pricing, referral pathways) and implement targeted action plans to address them.
• Collaborate with Head of Marketing & Communications enhance Care Dorset’s visibility to self-funders, including digital presence, local campaigns, and community engagement.
• Develop relationships with key influencers in the self-funder market (e.g., families, solicitors, financial advisers, hospital discharge teams).

Tendering, Bids & Contract development

• Lead and coordinate the preparation of high-quality tender submissions, framework applications, and business proposals.
• Work with operational and finance colleagues to ensure bids are commercially viable, deliverable, and aligned with quality standards.
• Maintain a pipeline of upcoming opportunities, including frameworks, block contracts, and spot-purchase arrangements.
• Support negotiation of contract terms to ensure sustainability and positive outcomes.

Service development & Innovation

• In collaboration with operational teams design and implement new or enhanced service models in response to identified needs (e.g., dementia care, reablement, complex care, community day services).
• Lead the mobilisation of new services, ensuring smooth transitions from contract award to operational delivery.
• Encourage innovation that improves outcomes, enhances customer experience, and increases market competitiveness.

Internal collaboration & Support

• Act as a key link between operational, marketing, customer experience and finance teams.
• Provide coaching and guidance to service managers on business development, occupancy management, and customer engagement.
• Foster a culture of commercial awareness and continuous improvement across operational teams.