Business Development Manager Review

As a Business Development Manager my primary focus is to drive revenue growth, pursuing strategic opportunities that align with our services and value proposition to create a sales pipeline to enable sustainable growth. I have recently completed my Bid and Proposal Co-ordinator apprenticeship. This apprenticeship standard aligns perfectly to Business Development and I am involved in all aspects of the bid lifecycle in my daily job role and I have applied the knowledge and skills attained during my apprenticeship with successful outcomes.

My apprenticeship journey has helped me improve my personal development skills, including communication, collaboration, planning and preparation to name a few. These skills have helped me stand out from the crowd and I have led on various workstreams working with key stakeholders across the business. I was also invited to participate in a cross divisional bid team workshop and had the opportunity to speak about the knowledge and skills gained during my apprenticeship, reflecting on current practice and benchmarking against best practice. I have also made recommendations and improvements to our processes

As a more mature apprentice, the apprenticeship programme has given me a new passion for learning. I have particularly enjoyed carrying our research and completing assignments, developing my knowledge, skills and behaviours away from the day job and them being able to apply these and make positive changes to my own working practices and influencing change in the wider organisation.

My employer is very supportive with off the job training days planned in advance, a learning mentor and full support of my line manager, both who attend my review meetings. I am able to attend the masterclasses provided by the training provider and I have the opportunities to put these theories into practice.

Pearson have a dedicated team responsible for the apprenticeship programme and I have a programme manager, support from my line manager and a learning mentor. I am always able to complete my off the job training with additional time if required. I am also studying towards my Functional Skills Level 2 and have additional time for this. My employer is really open to me putting into practice new processes and solutions which are having a real benefit to the business.

I have a monthly masterclass by an industry led tutor and any assignments are quickly uploaded into an e portfolio system for completion before the following masterclass. I have a nominated skills coach with monthly 121's and quarterly reviews with my line manager and mentor. I also have a dedicated Functional Skills tutor with planned classroom sessions and web based skills building software.

The knowledge, skills and behaviours I have developed during my apprenticeship have had a positive impact on me as an individual, helping me improve my personal development skills and bringing benefits to the wider business. I have been able to put into practice in my day job what I have learnt plus I have had the opportunity to be part of various workstreams where I have been able to make a positive contribution to wider business decisions.

After a successful internal application I was selected as a Pearson Apprentice Ambassador, representing Pearson and championing apprenticeships both internally and externally. This was a great opportunity for me to have a learner voice to be able to share my experiences and for others to learn from them, not just other apprentices within the business but also external stakeholders to drive improvement and to raise awareness to increase the uptake of apprenticeships and the benefits an apprentice can bring to employers. I have done this by attending various events such as work fairs and conferences. Pearson encourage apprentices to nominate for various awards and I am a regional winner of the advanced apprentice of the year award 2022 and I was shortlisted for the National Apprenticeship Awards.

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On a day to day basis it's an enjoyable place to work with great support and great people across many functional teams. Pearson are committed to developing their people to provide opportunities for progression. It is also a great place to work and employees are well looked after, they hold investors in people Gold, confirmed by Stonewall in the Top 100 LGBTQ UK employers a Disability Confident committed employer, and committed to the Race Charter. They also have an excellent benefits package, pension scheme and well being support network.

Pearson expect hard work and results but they also give a lot back. Look for the opportunities and be prepared to work hard and you will be able to progress your career whilst enjoying some of the best benefits around in a workplace that meets the different needs of a diverse workforce. If you are looking for a career and not just a job Pearson are a great choice of employer.