RSL Awards is a prominent UK-based Music and Performing Arts Awarding Body, dedicated to recognising and promoting excellence in creative arts education.

The Opportunity

The Head of UK Business Development will lead the growth of creative education across the UK. As Head of UK Business Development, you will play a key role in driving the success of RSL’s Rockschool and Stageschool brands – expanding access to innovative, industry-relevant music and performing arts qualifications that inspire learners and educators alike. In this high-impact role, you’ll take ownership of growing and developing our UK customer base, leading a motivated sales team to achieve ambitious targets while building strong, lasting and commercially successful relationships with both new and existing partners.

Collaboration will be central to your success. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the Business Development team – including the Head of International Business Development and the Head of Key Accounts & Customer Support—to deliver a joined-up sales strategy and contribute to the wider success of the organisation.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Effectively manage the UK business development team so that they are equipped to achieve budgeted targets
• Refine and drive a new customer acquisition plan across graded brands
• Manage the product portfolio, both physical and digital, balancing existing publications with digital transformation and new learning experiences.
• Work effectively with our marketing team and other colleagues to utilise data and maximise the reach of our sales message.
• Seek out and develop partnerships with large providers in the sector.
• Work to support customers with their understanding and use of the Rockschool graded syllabuses.
• Advocate for and represent RSL’s products and services at conferences, meetings and events.
• Take part in product demonstrations and marketing activities to support the breadth of the RSL product range.
• Work to develop and grow the BD team’s effectiveness and efficiency in outbound messaging and customer contact.
• Play an integral role in organising and executing a series of virtual and face-to-face events for customers.
• Lead a team of Customer Relations Officers, providing oversight and direction for the team and acting as a point of escalation for customer queries.

Required Skills & Experience

• • Commercial acumen and a demonstrable track record in a business development/ sales position, or a commercial position elsewhere.
  • Demonstrable success in growing customer bases and securing new business.
  • Experience working within education, awarding organisations, or the music/performing arts sector (or closely related industries).
  • Ability to ideate and implement sales strategies across multiple brands and market segments.
  • Understanding of pipeline management and customer journeys.
  • Awareness of our target markets and customer types.
  • Ability to refine and execute sales messages.
  • Capable of acting on initiative and implementing change.
  • Aptitude for managing and developing relationships with senior leaders and decision makers.
  • Able to manage a team and develop and grow their knowledge and skillset.
  • Able to work across departments.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Willingness to travel across the UK and to work outside of usual office hours occasionally is essential in this role.

General Duties & Responsibilities

• • To maintain confidentiality at all times and to comply with the Company policy on handling confidential/ sensitive data, thus ensuring security in the management and use of information.
  • To contribute to close working relationships with all personnel and to help to build an open and honest culture that facilitates learning, creativity and excellence.
  • To be courteous and professional to customers and stakeholders of RSL, treating them with care and consideration at all times.
  • To undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager which are commensurate with the role, including project work and absence cover.
  • To comply with the policies and procedures of the Company at all times.
  • To undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post.
  • To participate fully in the performance management process and undertake
  • Continuing Professional Development as required.
  • To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
  • To ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

This job description will be reviewed as necessary and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the organisation. This job description has been agreed upon between the post holder and the company.

RSL is an equal opportunity and Living Wage employer. We are committed to ensuring no applicant or employee is discriminated against on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. In line with the wide range and diversity of our product range, we particularly welcome applications from disabled candidates and those from the global majority, as they are currently under-represented at head office.