Job Description

Business Development Manager - Affinity Partnerships (BDM-25)

The Role

Working in the Affinity Partnerships Business Development team, the BDM will report to the Partnerships Manager. You will be responsible for identifying and negotiating new strategic partnerships, contributing directly to the success of Seopa through winning new business opportunities. Recent new partner wins have included leading national media companies and UK national retail brands. Activities and responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

Relentlessly pursuing new business growth by identifying untapped opportunities through proactive market research and high-impact engagement strategies.

Creating and effectively delivering presentations which lead to new business acquisition.

Confidently leading high-stakes negotiations to secure commercially robust and strategically aligned partnerships.

Following up on inbound enquiries as well as creating and pursuing new outbound leads and opportunities.

Serving as a relied-upon subject matter expert on Seopa's value-add for potential partners and their customers.

Keeping on top of relevant trends and changes in the market through your own research and competitor analysis.

Monitoring, optimising and improving new business sales processes.

Providing regular status updates and pipeline forecasts for your new business sales.

Organising and attending new business meetings where appropriate to support growth.

Keeping abreast of competitive, regulatory, or other market conditions that could impact Seopa positively or negatively.

Liaising and attending meetings and exhibitions with other company functions e.g., Product Management, IT and Marketing, necessary to perform duties and aid business and organisational development.

Inputting to other marketing collateral to support partnership acquisition and development.

Mentoring, coaching and supervising junior team members.

Additional tasks as required by the business from time to time.

You may be required to attend meetings and/or conferences which could involve some overseas travel (primarily within the UK). Seopa offers a hybrid working pattern, candidates should be based in Northern Ireland or be prepared to relocate.

Academics

Degree in a business or IT field, ideally with a 2:1 or equivalent, relevant experience in this sector.

3 grades 'B's or above at A-Level are desirable although not essential.

Essential Criteria

Significant experience (typically 5+ years) in business-to-business sales or partnership development, with a demonstrable record of winning new high value accounts.

Proven success in negotiating and closing high-value, strategic partnerships that deliver measurable commercial impact.

Strong track record in target-driven environments, consistently achieving or exceeding sales and revenue goals.

Demonstrate tenacity and a proven track record of outperforming targets in competitive markets

Ability to maintain momentum through setbacks and maintain a winning mindset under pressure

Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and simplify complex subjects.

Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills

Excellent skills in MS Office (particularly Excel)

A growth mindset with proven ability to self-educate, adapt, and continuously improve.

Desirable Criteria - experience in some of the following would be beneficial

Experience working in a partnerships or channel business development team

Experience in an IT, e-commerce, fintech, or financial services environment

Knowledge of digital marketing strategies, including PPC, SEO, SEM, and AI-driven optimization tools.

Use of AI to automate and improve processes.

An appreciation of web/software development

Experience of HubSpot, CRM and Google Analytics

Company Values

- can identify with and commit to our company values:

SMART

: We are innovative and strategic, we find better ways to do things

EFFICIENT:

We maximise productivity and value for money, we minimise waste and duplication

OPEN

: We are one team - diverse, loyal and respectful, we welcome new ideas, challenge and change

PASSIONATE

: We are ambitious, positive and driven, we celebrate the success of our company and colleagues

ACCOUNTABLE:

We are responsible, trustworthy and dependable, we do what we say we will

Seopa offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including:

private medical insurance

life assurance

pension and annual pension clinic for employees

health cashback plan

hybrid working arrangements

annual travel card loan

additional service-related holidays

option to buy additional holidays

cycle to work scheme

wide-ranging discount reward schemes

access to online training courses

About Seopa

This is an excellent time to join our multi-award-winning company as we continue to evolve and innovate across the business and grow in new markets in our mission to help the world find better deals. The right candidate will have an opportunity to work in a friendly, dynamic and inclusive working environment with like-minded, talented and passionate individuals with options for hybrid working giving the flexibility to work a mix of in the office and at home.

An indigenous company founded in 2003 with branches in Belfast (Head Office) and Timisoara, we are an industry leader in creating and hosting insurance, finance and utility price comparison engines. In addition to providing our software and systems to other companies, we operate our own insurance comparison brands - Quotezone.co.uk and CompareNI.com.

Used by more than 3 million people annually, our systems enable insurance providers to secure business within their target markets and empower consumers to easily identify those providers who meet their financial product requirements at market leading prices. Our Affinity Partnership arrangements also facilitate other companies to increase the range of services offered (and revenue generated) via their websites. Our products are used by over 400 financial partners in the insurance, finance and utilities industry.

Our success has been recognised by a series of awards including six consecutive Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards, a Deloitte EMEA Technology Fast500 award, several prestigious Deloitte Best Managed Companies awards (2017, 2018, 2019), three Gold Standard Best Managed Companies awards (2020, 2021 2022) and Platinum Standard Best Managed Companies award 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Life insurance On-site parking Private medical insurance Referral programme
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Belfast BT2 7GS