At Lifeways, we believe everyone deserves to live their very best life. As the UK’s largest supported living provider, we are on an ambitious growth journey — and we’re looking for a dynamic Business Development & Relationship Manager (BDRM) to help drive that growth across your region.
If you’re commercially astute, relationship-driven, and passionate about delivering person-centred support, this is your opportunity to shape services that truly change lives.
As a BDRM, you’ll be the commercial heartbeat of your region — responsible for maintaining and growing capacity, securing the right rates, and building strategic partnerships that ensure sustainable, high-quality services.
You’ll work closely with:
Local Authority & NHS Commissioners
Housing Associations and Developers
Operational, Finance, Assessment & Housing teams
You will be the first point of reference for commissioners — a trusted advisor externally and a powerful advocate internally.
Driving Regional Growth
Maintain and increase regional capacity across all services
Identify, develop and deliver financially viable new schemes
Lead complex service developments from concept to operational handover
Support tenders and defend existing contracts
Building Strategic Partnerships
Develop influential relationships with Local Authorities, NHS ICBs, housing providers, and private purchasers
Act as a critical business partner to commissioners
Leverage partnerships to secure sustainable, viable rates
Commercial Accountability
Own the ‘top line’ revenue in your region
Ensure services meet Minimum Viability Threshold (MVT)
Negotiate rates that reflect quality and sustainability
Pipeline & Property Development
Source property through housing partners
Ensure a strong development pipeline aligned to regional demand
Increased regional capacity
Services operating at or above MVT
Growth in regional revenue
Essential:
Proven experience in business development within housing and care
Strong understanding of care and housing legislation
Commercial acumen and financial confidence
Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills
Project management capability across complex, multi-site developments
Full driving licence and access to a vehicle
Desirable:
3+ years’ management experience in care/housing
Professional qualification relevant to the sector
Creative, opportunity-focused mindset
Person-centred ethos with assessment capability
Be part of a national growth strategy with real influence
Shape services that improve lives across your region
Work collaboratively with senior leaders and operational experts
Enjoy autonomy, visibility, and impact
This is more than business development. It’s growth with purpose.
If you thrive on building partnerships, driving revenue, and delivering services that transform lives — we want to hear from you.
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