Business Development Manager in Oxford

Pets at Home Group Plc is the UK’s leading pet care business; our commitment is to make sure pets and their owners get the very best advice, products and care. Pet products are available online or from our 453 stores, many of which also have vet practices and grooming salons. The Vet Group operates a UK leading small animal veterinary business, with 440 First Opinion practices located both in our stores and in standalone locations, as well as four Specialist Referral centres.  We are based in beautiful offices next to the Retail Outlet and Steam Museum in Swindon.

We are recruiting for a Business Development Manager. We welcome applications from those looking to work remotely but please note that our Support Office is located in Swindon and you may be required to travel to the office on a regular basis.

As a Business Development Manager you will be responsible for helping to co-ordinate, shape and deliver a programme of business development strategic initiatives across the Veterinary business within the wider Pets at Home family.

The overall purpose of the role is to deliver both innovative and optimising solutions which will continually improve the performance and efficiency with which our vet practices operate and enable our vet Partners to grow and develop their respective businesses. These may include initiatives such as business process improvements, technology based solutions, the introduction of additional commercial services, delivery mechanisms or general enhancements to customer offer which our Vet practices provide.

The candidate will work across departments and aligned stakeholders to co-ordinate delivery of initiatives and be responsible for all aspects of implementation including research, planning, stakeholder management, communication, delivery governance and management information for evaluation.

The initiatives will cover a wide range of business building activity so the candidate will develop a detailed understanding of the whole business in the course of their work.

Additionally the candidate will be expected to assist in external research and to explore the wider marketplace to identify new commercial opportunities and relevant innovation which would benefit the business.

Key Responsibilities;

• Conduct research within the veterinary and adjacent markets on new innovation, suppliers and business solutions which become available and present summary information to the business to evaluate commercial and integration potential
• Maintain tracking on competitor services, activity and offering both amongst online service providers and other physical practice operators – evaluate opportunities
• Create strong personal networks of identified stakeholders both with group colleagues and key external influencers, to be informed and also able to influence through these networks as appropriate.
• Engage with support teams, field based colleagues, practice teams and vet partners to gain understanding from their perspective in seeking and evaluating opportunities.
• Evaluate and measure perceived future opportunities for review by the Executive
• Identify and assemble relevant stakeholder group to collaborate on initiative delivery
• Create clear governance and principals for the delivery of the initiative
• Ensure that all decisions are taken in conjunction with the appropriate steering co and executive as appropriate
• Manage the delivery of the initiative within the agreed timeframe and within the agreed cost/resource constraints.
• Ensure that the progress and status of initiatives is well communicated at agreed intervals with clear updates as to challenges, road blocks or decisions required.
• Ensure full documentation is maintained to support the working and delivery of the initiative to ensure full awareness and understanding for present and future stakeholders.
• Champion the delivery of each initiative on behalf of the business and ensure that the launch of initiative is positively communicated to all the right audiences in a professional and engaging style.

Skills Required;

• Knowledge of the veterinary sector
• Experience in evaluating and presenting business opportunities
• Experience in managing a direct team and also influencing stakeholders
• Understanding of general business principles and finances
• Experience of project management and specific budget responsibility
• Working in a cross-department role co-ordinating activity
• Able to demonstrate own initiative and take accountability for agreed deliverables
• Versatility in approach and ability to grasp concepts quickly

The Benefits:

• Competitive salary plus bonus
• 36 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), rising to 38 days after two years
• Birthday Leave - 1 day extra leave to celebrate your Birthday!
• The option to buy extra holidays
• An extra days holiday when you become a new pet parent (Dog/Cat/Horse)
• Pension Scheme
• Colleague Discount- 20% discount for you (plus one family member). This can be used in Pets at Home Stores, Groom Rooms, Companion Care Veterinary Services, and Pet Plan Insurance!
• “Treats” benefits- an online range of offers and discounts which are available exclusively to Pets at Home Colleagues
• Life assurance
• Contributory Private Health Care
• Charity Leave- You are entitled to have one paid day’s leave each year to work for your favourite animal related charity.
• Celebrating Special Celebrations? You’ll get 1 extra week off and a gift to celebrate your wedding or civil partnership, and a gift from us if you are expecting or adopting a baby!
• Free Car Parking
• Free Gym
• Colleague of the Month Awards
• Cycle to Work Scheme