We're hiring:
Business Development Manager.
What we do.
The Institute of AI is the UK's professional body for artificial intelligence. We set the standard of AI practice, work to that standard ourselves, and put it within reach of everyone else. Our work runs across four areas.
- Accreditation
- We accredit AI professionals at four levels, from Student to Fellow, against our own competency framework for what a practitioner should be able to do, and we assess organisations separately against a five-pillar maturity model.
- Practice
- We run an independent practice that advises organisations on adopting AI, from readiness and strategy to governance and policy, and then builds what we recommend, taking AI solutions from proof of concept into production.
- Platforms
- We build software: our own digital platforms and AI systems, which we design, engineer, and operate for anyone to use.
- AI for All
- Our public programme brings AI literacy and enablement to schools, charities, and young people through events, pro bono consultancy, and resources.
There is more to our work than any summary can hold: education platforms and multi-player AI games, regulatory trackers, the UK AI Readiness Charter and plenty more.
If that sounds like work worth doing, come and do it with us.
The role.
When an organisation decides to take AI seriously, we're the partner they call. Your job is to make sure they know we exist before they reach that point.
You'll start conversations with organisations across the UK, understand the challenges they're facing and help them see where AI can genuinely create value. This isn't high-volume outbound or transactional software sales.
You'll own commercial opportunities from first conversation through to close, working independently where appropriate and partnering with the wider commercial and delivery teams on larger, more complex engagements. We care far more about the quality of conversations than the volume of outreach.
Core responsibilities.
Generate new business opportunities across the UK mid-market through thoughtful outbound prospecting, leading with understanding rather than pitching.
Qualify opportunities, shape commercial conversations and guide prospects through the buying journey.
Own commercial opportunities through to close, collaborating with colleagues on larger or more complex engagements where appropriate.
Work closely with engineering and consulting teams to ensure prospects receive credible, practical advice from the outset.
Capture market feedback and turn it into better messaging, positioning and commercial strategy.
What we're looking for.
Demonstrable experience generating and closing your own pipeline through outbound business development.
Evidence of consistently exceeding commercial targets.
Confident engaging senior decision makers and earning credibility quickly.
Able to hold an intelligent commercial conversation about AI, even if you're not an engineer.
Commercial judgement. You know the difference between persistence and pressure, and when to challenge rather than simply agree.
Organised, disciplined and comfortable managing a pipeline independently.
This role is not for you if…
You expect inbound leads to be your primary source of business.
You'd rather follow a script than understand a customer's business.
You measure success by activity rather than commercial outcomes.
You enjoy selling products more than solving problems.
You might be…
A business development manager with a track record of generating and closing business through outbound sales.
A high-performing sales representative or consultant ready to own end-to-end commercial opportunities.
A consultant or account manager who has consistently won their own work.
Someone from a membership, professional body or training organisation selling into the mid-market.
Checks before you start.
Practitioners who apply to us for accreditation must evidence what they claim, and we verify it. Joining the team is no different. Every offer we make is conditional on background checks, which normally include:
- Identity checks
- Right to work in the UK
- Past employment references
- Education and qualification checks
- A DBS check or equivalent
Please note that certain positions may also require more extensive vetting, such as an enhanced DBS check or security clearance.
An equal opportunities employer.
Diversity matters to us at the Institute of AI, and we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome people from all walks of life. If you need any adjustments during the application process, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
What we offer.
A four-day week
32 hours across four days, on 100% of the pay. Not a compressed week, not a pilot, and not something you earn after probation.
A published band
You saw the number before you applied. We never ask what you currently earn, so the number you see is the number we start from.
Where you work
Every role states its location up front. We are remote-first, though some roles need time on site, and the whole team comes together every so often.
Time to stay current
A learning budget, and your CPD hours inside the working week rather than on your weekend.
Accreditation, on us
We cover the assessment fee and the annual fee for the level you are accredited at, and give you time in the week to prepare.
Holiday
28 days, plus bank holidays. Book them when it suits you and switch off properly. Nobody expects you to check in.
Put yourself forward.
Applications are for Members.
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Every role we are hiring for is listed in one place. If this one is not quite it, another might be.