Business Development Manager - Recruitment

Help unlock life-changing employment opportunities for underrepresented young people across London.
Join 20/20 Levels as our Business Development Manager and build the employer partnerships that power social mobility.

At 20/20 Levels, we believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. This role is a unique chance to work at the intersection of business development, recruitment, and social impact, securing paid roles, internships, apprenticeships and career pathways for our alumni.

You’ll engage employers in high-growth sectors, develop long-term partnerships, and position 20/20 Levels as a trusted talent partner for diverse early-career candidates. If you’re commercially driven, relationship-focused, and motivated by creating real change through employment, we’d love to hear from you.

JOB TITLE: Business Development Manager

REPORTS TO: Head of Brand & Commercial

LOCATION: London - hybrid, in the office 2/3 days a week

WORKING HOURS: Full Time – 40 hrs per week

SALARY: £35,000 - £40,000 CONTRACT TYPE: FTC – 1 Year (Option to renew)

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a New Business Development Manager to join the Commercial arm of 20/20 Levels. The purpose of this role is to expand and secure employment opportunities for our alumni by building strong, long-term partnerships with employers across sectors actively recruiting in London.

The postholder will be responsible for identifying hiring demand, engaging employers, and securing paid roles, internships, placements, apprenticeships, and progression opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds. This role is outward-facing, commercially minded, and impact-driven, acting as a bridge between industry needs and our diverse, work-ready talent pipeline.

To be successful in this role you need to demonstrate proven business development/ sales experience either in a recruitment or employer engagement capacity, strong relationship-building skills, and the confidence to open doors, follow warm and cold leads, and represent 20/20 Levels as a trusted talent partner. Due to the nature of the role, flexibility is required, including attendance at evening programme sessions and external networking events.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Partnerships & Employer Engagement

· Identify and engage employers across high-growth and high-demand sectors in London (e.g. professional services, construction and infrastructure, technology, creative industries, hospitality, public sector, and green jobs).

· Develop and maintain strong relationships with employers, corporate partners, and sponsors, acting as a key point of contact for employment and talent opportunities.

· Position 20/20 Levels as a go-to partner for diverse, work-ready early-career talent.

· Secure jobs for alumni including permanent roles, paid internships and placements, apprenticeships, traineeships, and contract opportunities.

· Manage employer accounts, including regular check-ins to review hiring needs, candidate performance, and future opportunities.

· Attend external events and industry forums to promote 20/20 Levels and build new employer relationships.

Business Development & Commercial Partnerships

· Proactively source new employer partners through targeted outreach, networking, and market research.

· Negotiate partnership agreements, MoUs, and preferred supplier relationships.

· Contribute to the organisation’s earned income strategy through employer-paid services where applicable.

· Identify repeat hiring opportunities and long-term talent pipelines.

· Support the development of sector-specific employer strategies aligned to labour market demand.

· This role is funded by the GLA’s Inclusive Talent Brokage Programme. The successful candidate would be required to lead on the reporting of outcomes to the GLA (Greater London Authority).

Alumni Opportunities & Recruitment Matching

· Work closely with Programme and Impact teams to understand alumni profiles, skills, aspirations, and readiness for work.

· Match alumni to suitable live opportunities, ensuring realistic role fit and fair access.

· Support employers to design inclusive recruitment processes that reduce barriers to entry.

· Organise and facilitate employer information sessions and recruitment events for alumni.

· Track candidate progress from opportunity through interview, placement, and retention.

Team Collaboration

· Collaborate with the wider Impact Team to achieve shared employment and partnership targets.

· Work closely with the Programme Team to identify additional support needed to ensure alumni are work-ready.

· Partner with the Marketing and Communications Team to promote job opportunities and employer partnerships across social and digital channels.

· Lead on the preparation, management, and delivery of job fairs linked to programme cohorts.

· Create content and facilitate employment- and talent-focused sessions across 20/20 Levels programmes.

· Attend programme sessions to build rapport with cohorts and introduce the Talent and Employment offering.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

· Maintain accurate records of employer engagement and outcomes using organisational systems (CRM and data platforms).

· Capture and track KPIs including number of employers engaged, opportunities secured, alumni placed, and retention outcomes.

· Compile monthly reports in collaboration with the Impact Team for the CEO and senior leadership.

· Gather insight from alumni on sector interests to inform targeted outreach and business development.

· Contribute data, insights, and case studies for funders, partners, and board reporting.

PERSON SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Essential

· Proven experience in business development and either recruitment, employer engagement, or partnerships.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with employers and senior stakeholders.

· Results-driven with a track record of securing tangible outcomes.

· Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

· High level of IT literacy, including CRM systems and Microsoft/Google tools.

· Passion for social mobility, inclusion, and supporting underrepresented talent into employment.

Desirable

· Strong understanding of London’s labour market and hiring trends.

· Experience working with young people or early-career talent.

· Background in recruitment, workforce development, employability programmes, or social impact.

· Existing employer network within London.

· Experience contributing to earned income or commercial partnerships in a charity or social enterprise.

· Experience supporting candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

HOW TO APPLY?

Please submit your CV and a cover letter.

The cover letter should be no longer than one page of A4 and answer the following questions:

1. What excites you about our cause?

2. What experience do you have in recruitment?

3. What do you think are the barriers for diverse talent accessing employment opportunities and how would you address this?

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this person. The individual will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their manager and the CEO. The individual might be required to, occasionally, work extra hours and information about such extended hours would be communicated to the individual as necessary.