Business Development Executive (Digital PR & SEO)

📌 Core Information 🔹 Job Title: Business Development Executive (Digital PR & SEO) 🔹 Company: JBH 🔹 Location: Manchester, United Kingdom 🔹 Job Type: Full-Time 🔹 Category: Sales 🔹 Date Posted: 20 May 2025 🔹 Experience Level: 5+ years 🔹 Remote Status: On-site 🚀 Job Overview Key aspects of this role include: - Generating and qualifying leads for SEO and digital PR services - Managing early-stage sales activities and coordinating client meetings - Collaborating with internal teams to ensure smooth transitions from sales to delivery - Representing JBH at industry events and networking opportunities - Continuously improving and refining JBH's business development approach ASSUMPTION: This role is ideal for a motivated sales professional with experience in recruitment, SaaS, media, or other B2B industries, looking to transition into the digital marketing sector. 📋 Key Responsibilities ✅ Generate and qualify leads by identifying new business opportunities across SEO and digital PR, using a mix of outbound research and inbound engagement. ✅ Manage early stage sales activity, including responding to inbound enquiries, conducting discovery calls, and coordinating timely follow ups. ✅ Research and map target industries, companies, and key stakeholders, ensuring outreach is relevant, informed, and value-led. ✅ Coordinate client meetings by preparing tailored proposals, briefing internal stakeholders, and ensuring follow through on agreed next steps. ✅ Promote JBH’s services through compelling, consultative conversations, understanding client needs and aligning our offering to their goals. ✅ Maintain and manage CRM activity (e.g., HubSpot), ensuring the pipeline is accurately tracked with up-to-date notes, statuses, and contact records. ✅ Work collaboratively with SEO, PR, and marketing teams to ensure consistent messaging and smooth handovers from sales to delivery. ✅ Track and report on sales performance metrics, including pipeline health, conversion rates, deal values, and velocity. ✅ Support the creation and improvement of sales enablement materials, including proposal templates, pitch decks, and case study resources. ✅ Ensure contracts are compliant with legal guidelines and internal standards. ✅ Represent JBH at industry events and networking opportunities to raise brand awareness and open new opportunities. ✅ Manage CRM tools (e.g. HubSpot) to track all pipeline activity, from first contact through to close and onboarding. ✅ Collaborate with internal delivery teams to ensure a smooth handover from pitch to onboarding. ✅ Stay informed on competitor activity, digital marketing trends, and sales enablement technologies. ✅ Continuously improve and refine JBH’s business development approach based on feedback, results, and market shifts. ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong focus on lead generation, sales activity management, and client relationship building, with a growth mindset and ability to learn quickly. 🎯 Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience Experience: 5+ years of experience in a sales or business development role (ideally in an agency or digital environment) Required Skills: - Basic knowledge of digital PR, SEO, or content marketing services - Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed KPIs and conversion targets - Excellent verbal and written communication - Confident in prospecting, handling objections, and relationship-building - Familiar with CRM systems (e.g., HubSpot, Pipedrive) and proposal processes - Highly organized and motivated, with a growth mindset - Able to learn quickly and take feedback constructively Preferred Skills: - Experience in the digital marketing sector - Knowledge of the Manchester business landscape - Familiarity with the specific industries JBH serves 💰 Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: £28,000 - £34,000 / year (Based on experience and market rates for sales roles in Manchester) Benefits: - Opportunity to be part of a fast-growing, young agency - Training opportunities to support you at every stage of your career - 25 days holiday plus bank holidays - Award-winning employee assistance programme - Fully serviced workspace in the heart of Ancoats with perks - Enhanced maternity and paternity leave - Half-day Fridays – start the weekend early! - Birthday’s off - Macbook - Pension - Bike2work scheme Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility for industry events and networking opportunities ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on market rates for sales roles in Manchester, with consideration for the experience required for this position. 📌 Applicant Insights 🔍 Company Context Industry: Digital PR and Communications Services Company Size: 11-50 employees Founded: 2013 Company Description: JBH is a performance-driven digital PR and SEO agency with offices in Manchester and London, working with consumer brands all over the world to support them with their organic search objectives. The agency is best known for its data-driven digital PR campaigns that not only position clients as experts within their industry but also earn relevant and highly authoritative coverage and links. JBH doesn't just build links; its performance strategies fuse digital PR with on-page and technical SEO activity, earning links to ‘money’ pages and having visible and commercial impact on keyword rankings and traffic. Company Specialties: - Digital PR - Link building - Marketing - Public Relations (PR) - Search engine optimization (SEO) - Content marketing Company Website: jbh.co.uk ASSUMPTION: JBH's focus on performance-driven digital PR and SEO sets it apart in the industry, offering applicants a unique opportunity to grow within a specialized agency. 📊 Role Analysis Career Level: Mid-level sales role with potential for growth and career progression Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Sales Manager and works closely with the SEO, PR, and marketing teams. Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with flexible hours for industry events and networking opportunities Growth Opportunities: - Contributing to building the sales department from the ground up - Learning and developing skills in digital PR and SEO - Opportunities for career progression within the sales department or other areas of the agency ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for a motivated sales professional to grow within a specialized agency and contribute to its ongoing success. 🌍 Location & Work Environment Office Type: Fully serviced workspace in the heart of Ancoats, Manchester, with perks such as free coffee, fruit, and regular social events. Office Location(s): - One Silk Street, Colony, Manchester, England M4 6LZ, GB - 210 Euston Road, London, England NW1 2DA, GB Geographic Context: - Manchester is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving digital and tech industry. - Ancoats is a trendy, up-and-coming neighborhood known for its independent shops, restaurants, and creative spaces. - The office is conveniently located near public transportation, with easy access to buses, trams, and trains. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility for industry events and networking opportunities ASSUMPTION: The office environment at JBH fosters collaboration, creativity, and growth, with a strong focus on employee well-being and work-life balance. 💼 Interview & Application Insights Typical Process: 1. Online application and resume screening 2. Phone or video screening with the HR team 3. In-person or video interview with the Sales Manager and a member of the SEO or PR team 4. Final interview with the CEO or a senior member of the leadership team Key Assessment Areas: - Sales experience and track record - Knowledge of digital PR and SEO - Communication and relationship-building skills - Problem-solving and objection-handling abilities - Cultural fit and alignment with JBH's values Application Tips: - Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience, relevant skills, and enthusiasm for digital marketing. - Research JBH's clients, services, and industry to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the agency. - Prepare examples of successful sales strategies, lead generation techniques, and client relationship-building experiences. ATS Keywords: Sales, business development, lead generation, digital PR, SEO, CRM, prospecting, objection handling, relationship building, client management, sales metrics, sales enablement, market research, proposal development, team collaboration, sales performance tracking ASSUMPTION: The application process at JBH is designed to assess candidates' sales skills, industry knowledge, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for both the applicant and the agency. 🛠️ Tools & Technologies - HubSpot (CRM and sales enablement platform) - Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs) - Sales enablement technologies (e.g., sales intelligence tools, sales automation platforms) ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with HubSpot and other sales enablement technologies is preferred but not required, as training will be provided. 👔 Cultural Fit Considerations Company Values: - Performance-driven - Collaborative - Creative - Passionate - Ambitious Work Style: - Fast-paced and dynamic - Results-oriented - Team-focused - Open and transparent - Continuous learning and improvement Self-Assessment Questions: 1. How do you align with JBH's company values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles? 2. How comfortable are you working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a strong focus on results and continuous improvement? 3. How do you approach learning and adapting to new tools, technologies, and industry trends? ASSUMPTION: Applicants who share JBH's values and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment are most likely to succeed in this role. ⚠️ Potential Challenges - Managing a high volume of leads and maintaining a strong pipeline - Balancing sales activities with client relationship-building and account management - Keeping up with industry trends and competitor activity in a fast-paced environment - Contributing to the growth and development of the sales department while maintaining high sales performance ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to a sales role in a growing agency and can be overcome with strong organizational skills, a growth mindset, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. 📈 Similar Roles Comparison - Sales Development Representative (SDR): Focuses primarily on lead qualification and appointment setting, with less emphasis on client relationship-building and account management. - Business Development Manager (BDM): Typically has more experience and focuses on larger, more complex accounts, with a higher level of strategic decision-making. - Account Executive: Primarily responsible for managing existing client relationships and driving revenue growth within those accounts, with less focus on new business development. ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of lead generation, sales activity management, and client relationship-building, making it an ideal fit for a motivated sales professional looking to grow within a specialized agency. 📝 Sample Projects - Developing and executing a targeted lead generation campaign for a specific industry or client vertical - Conducting market research to identify new business opportunities and trends in the digital PR and SEO landscape - Creating and refining sales enablement materials, such as proposal templates, pitch decks, and case study resources - Collaborating with internal teams to develop and implement strategic sales plans for key accounts ASSUMPTION: These projects are designed to showcase the applicant's sales skills, industry knowledge, and ability to work collaboratively with internal teams to drive results. ❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview 1. How does JBH support the growth and development of its sales team members? 2. Can you describe the typical career path for a successful sales professional at JBH? 3. How does JBH measure the success of its sales team, and how are performance metrics tracked and reported? 4. What opportunities are there for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the sales, SEO, and PR teams? 5. How does JBH approach continuous improvement and innovation in its sales strategies and processes? ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into JBH's sales culture, performance metrics, and opportunities for growth and collaboration. 📌 Next Steps for Applicants To apply for this position: - Submit your application through this link: Apply Now - Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience, relevant skills, and enthusiasm for digital marketing. - Prepare examples of successful sales strategies, lead generation techniques, and client relationship-building experiences. - Research JBH's clients, services, and industry to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the agency. - Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role. ⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.