Business Development Director

Version 1 has celebrated over 26 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Version 1 has several strategic technology partners including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems and Snowflake. We’re also an award-winning employer reflecting how employees are at the heart of Version 1. 

We’ve been awarded: Innovation Partner of the Year Winner 2023 Oracle EMEA Partner Awards, Global Microsoft Modernising Applications Partner of the Year Award 2023, AWS Collaboration Partner of the Year - EMEA 2023 and Best Workplaces for Women by Great Place To Work in UK and Ireland 2023. 

As a consultancy and service provider, Version 1 is a digital-first environment and we do things differently. We’re focused on our core values; using these we’ve seen significant growth across our practices and our Digital, Data and Cloud team is preparing for the next phase of expansion. This creates new opportunities for driven and skilled individuals to join one of the fastest-growing consultancies globally. 

Role Overview:
The Business Development Director with Pre-Sales is responsible for driving business growth by identifying new opportunities, nurturing client relationships, and working closely with the pre-sales team to create tailored IT solutions. This hybrid role combines business development, sales leadership, and pre-sales solutioning, ensuring seamless collaboration between client needs and technical offerings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Development Strategy:
  • Develop and execute strategic plans to identify new business opportunities in target markets.
  • Build a pipeline of potential clients by researching and targeting organizations that can benefit from IT services.
  • Lead the identification and pursuit of strategic sales opportunities and ensure alignment with company goals.
• Client Relationship Management:
  • Build and maintain long-term relationships with key decision-makers at prospective and existing clients.
  • Engage with clients to understand their business challenges and IT needs, positioning the company’s services as the ideal solution.
  • Foster a consultative approach to build trust and drive engagement with clients throughout the sales cycle.
• Pre-Sales Collaboration:
  • Partner closely with the pre-sales and technical teams to develop customized solutions based on client requirements.
  • Oversee and contribute to the creation of proposals, RFPs, and presentations by ensuring that solutions are technically sound, aligned with business objectives, and competitive.
  • Lead client presentations and demonstrations with pre-sales teams, articulating the business value of IT solutions.
• Sales Leadership:
  • Lead the entire sales process from prospecting through negotiation, closing deals, and contract finalization.
  • Ensure the timely delivery of high-quality sales proposals and presentations.
  • Work with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth project initiation post-sale.
  • Set revenue targets and ensure the sales team meets or exceeds them.
• Market Research & Competitor Analysis:
  • Conduct market analysis to identify industry trends, market demand, and competitive landscapes.
  • Develop a deep understanding of industry verticals and position the company’s IT solutions as key enablers of digital transformation for clients.
• Collaboration with Internal Teams:
  • Work closely with delivery, project management, and operations teams to ensure the seamless execution of sold services.
  • Collaborate with marketing on lead generation initiatives, sales campaigns, and client engagement strategies.
  • Ensure alignment between client needs and internal service delivery capabilities.
• Reporting & Forecasting:
  • Provide regular updates to senior management on business development progress, sales metrics, and pipeline forecasts.
  • Track and manage sales performance, using CRM tools to monitor opportunities and sales activities.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Sales Leadership: Proven experience in managing the full sales cycle in the IT services industry, with a track record of achieving revenue targets.
• Pre-Sales Expertise: Strong technical understanding and ability to collaborate with pre-sales teams to create and present customized IT solutions.
• Client Engagement: Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills with C-level executives and senior decision-makers.
• Solution Selling: Ability to understand client needs and translate them into IT service offerings, including cloud solutions, digital transformation, and managed services.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong business acumen with the ability to create and implement long-term growth strategies.
• Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of IT service offerings such as cloud computing, software development, data analytics, and digital services.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and deal-closing capabilities.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, IT, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• 12+ years of experience in business development, with at least 3 years in a leadership role in IT services.
• Hands-on experience working with pre-sales teams to deliver complex IT solutions.
• Strong knowledge of industry trends and competitive dynamics in the IT services sector.
• Proficiency in CRM tools and sales forecasting.
• IT consulting experience mandate.

Desired Qualifications

• Presales - Bid management experience in the US., meeting clients and being part of orals and contract negotiations.
• Working with US Sales teams in an Onshore/Offshore delivery model
• Experience in developing business and presales activities in a Banking & Financial Services Sector Bids - both in Fixed Price and T&M projects.

At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their well-being, professional growth, and financial stability. 

One of our standout advantages is the ability to work with a hybrid schedule along with business travel, allowing our employees to strike a balance between work and life. We also offer a range of tech-related benefits, including an innovative Tech Scheme to help keep our team members up-to-date with the latest technology. 

We prioritise the health and safety of our employees, providing private medical and life insurance coverage, as well as free eye tests and contributions towards glasses. Our team members can also stay ahead of the curve with incentivized certifications and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat. 

Our employee-designed Profit Share scheme divides a portion of our company's profits each quarter amongst employees. We are dedicated to helping our employees reach their full potential, offering Pathways Career Development Quarterly, a programme designed to support professional growth. 

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