Business Development & Marketing Manager – Childcare Group

Business Development & Marketing Manager – Childcare Group

Location: London E7 Salary: £36,000–£51,000 per annum, depending on experience and expertise Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday Contract: Permanent, full-time Working arrangement: Predominantly site-based Visa sponsorship: Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available to a suitably qualified candidate

Shape the Growth of an Expanding Childcare Group

Sahan Preschool & Day Nursery, operating as part of an established and growing childcare group, is seeking an accomplished Business Development & Marketing Manager to lead our commercial growth, marketing strategy, occupancy development and customer engagement programmes.

This is a strategic and delivery-focused position for an experienced professional who can convert marketing activity into measurable commercial results.

Working closely with the Nursery Directors and senior management team, you will strengthen our market position, increase nursery occupancy, improve enquiry conversion, develop community partnerships and support the continued expansion of the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Growth and Occupancy

Develop and implement commercial strategies to increase occupancy, revenue and sustainable organisational growth.

Take ownership of the parent enquiry journey, from initial lead generation through to nursery registration and enrolment.

Monitor enquiries, visits, conversion rates, occupancy, customer retention and parent feedback.

Identify underperforming areas and implement targeted improvement plans.

Support the commercial planning and market positioning of existing and future childcare settings.

Develop effective customer relationship management processes to improve conversion and long-term parent retention.

Marketing and Brand Development

Develop and deliver an integrated marketing plan across digital and offline channels.

Coordinate social media, website content, email marketing, local advertising and promotional campaigns.

Manage or support search engine optimisation, paid digital advertising and lead-generation campaigns.

Maintain a consistent, professional and compelling brand identity across all locations and communication channels.

Produce engaging content that communicates the organisation’s educational values, service quality and distinctive strengths.

Monitor campaign effectiveness, cost per lead, conversion rates and return on marketing investment.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Build productive relationships with schools, community organisations, local businesses, family services and other relevant stakeholders.

Plan and coordinate nursery open days, promotional events, parent-engagement activities and community outreach programmes.

Identify partnership and referral opportunities that strengthen the organisation’s reputation and generate new enquiries.

Represent the childcare group professionally at local events, meetings and external engagements.

Market Intelligence and Reporting

Conduct competitor research covering childcare provision, pricing, service models, local demographics and market demand.

Identify emerging customer expectations, commercial risks and potential growth opportunities.

Prepare clear monthly reports for the Nursery Directors covering occupancy, lead generation, conversion performance, campaign results and customer feedback.

Maintain accurate marketing, enquiry and commercial performance records.

Use data and management information to recommend practical, evidence-based improvements.

Leadership and Collaboration

Work closely with Nursery Directors, Nursery Managers and administrative teams to deliver group-wide commercial objectives.

Support nursery teams in maintaining excellent parent communication and customer-service standards.

Coordinate external marketing agencies, suppliers and professional partners where required.

Promote a commercially focused, professional and customer-centred culture throughout the organisation.

About You

The successful candidate will be commercially astute, analytical, persuasive and capable of combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

You should have:

Relevant experience in business development, commercial management or marketing management.

Demonstrable success in increasing revenue, customer acquisition, occupancy, membership or service uptake.

Experience managing multichannel marketing campaigns and measuring their commercial impact.

Strong knowledge of digital marketing, social media, website management, email marketing and lead generation.

Experience using customer relationship management systems, spreadsheets, analytics platforms or performance dashboards.

Strong market research, competitor analysis, and reporting capabilities.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The confidence to engage with parents, senior leaders, community organisations and external partners.

Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage several projects and priorities simultaneously.

A degree or equivalent professional qualification or experience in marketing, business, communications, management or a related discipline.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:

Experience/Knowledge of working within childcare, education, healthcare, hospitality or another regulated service sector.

Knowledge of the London childcare market and early-years customer journey.

What We Offer

A competitive salary of £36,000–£51,000, based on experience and expertise.

A senior role with direct access to the organisation’s Directors.

The opportunity to influence the growth strategy of an expanding childcare group.

Professional development and career-progression opportunities.

Workplace pension.

A supportive, ambitious and purpose-led working environment.

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available, subject to candidate eligibility and all applicable Home Office requirements.

Visa Sponsorship

Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Sponsorship is not automatic or guaranteed. Any sponsorship offer will be subject to:

The candidate meets the relevant immigration requirements.

The position and salary satisfy the applicable Skilled Worker rules.

Successful completion of the organisation’s recruitment and compliance procedures.

Availability and approval of the appropriate Certificate of Sponsorship.

Safeguarding

As this position involves working within a childcare environment, the successful applicant will be subject to appropriate safer-recruitment checks, satisfactory professional references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

How to Apply

Please submit:

An up-to-date CV.

A concise supporting statement explaining your suitability for the position.

Examples of measurable business-development or marketing results you have achieved, such as increased revenue, occupancy, customer acquisition, conversion rates or campaign performance.

Please clearly state whether you currently have the right to work in the United Kingdom and whether you require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Sahan Preschool & Day Nursery is committed to equality, diversity and safeguarding. Applications are considered on merit, experience and suitability for the position.

Pay: £36,000.00-£51,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person