Salary £46,142 - £51,356 per annum | Fixed Term 2 year contract | Full Time 37 hours per week | Preston/Hybrid
Help shape the future of school food across Lancashire
Every day, Lancashire County Council's Schools Catering Service provides high-quality meals to thousands of children across the county. As one of the largest school catering operations in the country, we have a strong reputation, an established customer base and ambitious plans for future growth.
We're now looking for a commercially minded Business Development Manager to help lead the next phase of that journey.
This is a rare opportunity to combine commercial success with genuine public impact. You'll play a key role in helping more schools, academies and Multi-Academy Trusts access a trusted, high-quality catering service that supports children's health, wellbeing and achievement.
About the Role
This is much more than a traditional business development post.
You'll be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, supporting customer retention and helping to drive sustainable income growth across the Schools Catering Service.
Collaborating closely with senior leaders, schools, academies and trusts, you'll help shape our commercial approach, influence future growth plans and ensure Lancashire remains a provider of choice in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Driving business growth and market development.
- Identifying and converting new business opportunities.
- Building relationships with schools, academies and trusts.
- Leading bids, tenders and commercial proposals.
- Supporting customer retention and contract renewals.
- Managing and developing marketing activity.
- Using market intelligence and customer insight to inform future growth.
About You
We're looking for someone who can demonstrate a track record of delivering business growth, developing strong customer relationships and identifying commercial opportunities.
You may come from catering, facilities management, hospitality, education services, business services or another commercially focused environment. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, influence decision-makers and deliver results.
You will be:
- Commercially aware and growth focused.
- An excellent communicator and relationship builder.
- Comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders.
- Experienced in developing opportunities and winning new business.
- Enthusiastic about delivering excellent customer outcomes.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview consisting of:
- A short presentation exercise based on a business growth scenario provided in advance.
- A competency-based interview exploring experience, commercial awareness, stakeholder management and strategic thinking.
- An opportunity to discuss your approach to growing and developing the service.
Join us and help shape the future growth of one of Lancashire's most successful traded services.
Closing Date: 14 August 2026
Interview Date: We intend to hold interviews on 19th and 20th August at County Hall, Preston. However, we recognise that the recruitment period may coincide with planned holiday arrangements. Where possible, we will seek to offer flexibility around interview dates for shortlisted candidates who have pre-booked leave.
Why join us?
By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you've always wanted.
In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:
- A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
- A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which increases with length of service. You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
- Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup, allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
- Access to fantastic development and career opportunities.
Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role.
You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. In certain circumstances consideration may be given to applicants who, as a consequence of a disability, are unable to drive
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.