Business Development Manager

Are you an experienced business development professional with a strong understanding of the UK infrastructure and construction market? This could be your opportunity to join SOCOTEC as a Business Development Manager within our Infrastructure Division, playing a key role in supporting our continued growth across some of the UK's most important infrastructure and construction projects. 

As SOCOTEC grows, so do our teams. We are looking for an ambitious, commercially focused and proactive Business Development Manager to identify, develop and secure new opportunities across our Infrastructure Division. 

SOCOTEC's Infrastructure Division brings together specialist capabilities across Ground Investigation, Foundations Testing, Geotechnical & Structural Monitoring, Structures & Pavements and Construction Materials Testing, providing technical services throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure and construction projects. 

You will be responsible for maintaining and developing relationships with clients and prospective clients across key infrastructure markets, identifying opportunities where SOCOTEC's technical expertise can add value and converting those opportunities into profitable, sustainable revenue. 

The Role 

The overall objective of the role is to grow SOCOTEC's Infrastructure client base and revenue through delivery of an agreed individual sales target, comprising both growth from existing clients and new business development. 

Individual targets will be agreed annually in line with the Infrastructure Division's budget, strategic growth priorities and target markets. 

You will develop and lead a structured business development programme to identify, qualify and close high-quality sales opportunities. A key part of the role will be understanding clients' wider project requirements and identifying opportunities to introduce multiple SOCOTEC Infrastructure services rather than focusing on individual service lines in isolation. 

You will develop profitable revenue through: 

• Building and managing a targeted pipeline of new business opportunities. 
• Developing strategic relationships with major contractors, infrastructure owners, consultants, developers and other key organisations. 
• Identifying upcoming projects, frameworks and investment programmes where SOCOTEC can provide infrastructure services. 
• Converting incoming enquiries and referrals into profitable opportunities. 
• Developing and delivering account and prospect plans for strategically important clients. 
• Leading face-to-face and remote client meetings, presentations and technical-commercial discussions. 
• Identifying opportunities to cross-sell services across the Infrastructure Division and wider SOCOTEC UK business. 
• Working with operational and technical teams to develop compelling client solutions. 
• Supporting major bids, tenders and framework submissions. 
• Attending relevant industry conferences, exhibitions and networking events to generate opportunities and strengthen SOCOTEC's market presence. 
• Maintaining an accurate and appropriately qualified sales pipeline and providing clear forecasting of future revenue. 

SOCOTEC Infrastructure Services 

You will develop sufficient commercial and technical understanding of SOCOTEC's Infrastructure capabilities to identify client requirements and connect clients with the appropriate technical specialists. 

These include but are not limited to: 

• Ground Investigation 
• Geotechnical consultancy and testing 
• Foundation and pile testing 
• Geotechnical and structural monitoring 
• Structural investigations 
• Pavement investigations and testing 
• Highways surveys 
• Construction Materials Testing 
• Specialist infrastructure testing and investigation services 

You will not be expected to act as the technical expert for every service. However, you will be expected to understand our capabilities sufficiently to identify opportunities, understand client challenges and bring the appropriate SOCOTEC technical specialists into the sales process. 

What We Are Looking For 

To be successful as a Business Development Manager – Infrastructure, you should be able to demonstrate: 

• A proven track record of business development and sales growth within infrastructure, civil engineering, construction, engineering consultancy, testing, inspection or a related technical services environment. 
• A strong understanding of the UK construction and infrastructure market. 
• Experience developing relationships with major contractors, consultants, asset owners or infrastructure organisations. 
• A demonstrable ability to build, manage and convert a high-quality sales pipeline. 
• Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of margin, revenue, risk and contractual considerations. 
• The ability to identify client requirements and translate them into commercially viable solutions. 
• Strong networking, relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills. 
• Confidence engaging with senior client stakeholders and decision makers. 
• Experience working collaboratively with technical and operational teams. 
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills. 
• A structured and disciplined approach to CRM, opportunity management and forecasting. 
• Tenacity, resilience and the ability to proactively create opportunities rather than relying solely on inbound enquiries. 
• The ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a wider national sales and operational team. 
• A full UK driving licence. 

The Person 

We are looking for someone who is ambitious, tenacious, resilient and professional, with the confidence to open doors and the commercial discipline to turn relationships into profitable long-term business. 

You will be comfortable developing new relationships from scratch while also recognising the significant opportunity available through SOCOTEC's existing client base. 

Most importantly, you will take a client-led rather than service-led approach: understanding the client's project, challenges and future programme before determining which SOCOTEC capabilities can best support them. 

This is a client-facing role and will involve regular travel throughout the UK, with occasional overnight stays where required.

Why SOCOTEC?

Join a thriving community of over 2,000 industry professionals who are passionate about making a real difference. At SOCOTEC UK, we're not just delivering services - we're shaping the future of testing, inspection, and certification across the nation.

What sets us apart? Our people. We've built our reputation on attracting exceptional talent like you and empowering them to deliver excellence at every turn. Our comprehensive range of TIC services means you'll have the opportunity to work on diverse, challenging projects that truly matter.

In this role, you won't just be another employee - you'll be a key player in our continued success story. Your expertise will directly contribute to our mission of building a safer, more sustainable world, while you grow your career alongside some of the industry's finest professionals.

Your Career, Your Way

Build a traditional career path or explore opportunities across multiple disciplines - all within SOCOTEC. Your choice, your direction.

Work Your Way

Local, national, or global projects. Office-based, remote, or hybrid. We offer the flexibility that empowers you to perform at your best.

Committed to Your Growth

From day one, you'll have access to comprehensive training, mentorship, and development programs. We support every step of your professional journey. #YouGrowWeGrow

Think you've got what it takes to add value to our success? We would love to hear from you and look forward to receiving your application.

Building a safer and more sustainable world is the core mission we set out to achieve at SOCOTEC, it is at the heart of everything that we do. We are committed to acting as a key player in society, investing in innovative solutions to ensure social and environmental concerns are at the forefront of all of our business operations.