Business Development Manager - Innovation

We’re ForrestBrown, the UK’s leading R&D tax specialist and innovation incentives consultancy. Using our substantial experience and technical expertise, combined with our passion for our clients and entrepreneurial spirit, we help to unlock opportunities for businesses in R&D tax relief, Patent Box, grants, capital allowances and more.

We have offices in Bristol, Glasgow and London and are proud to have one of the largest specialist R&D tax teams in the UK.

About the job

We’re looking for a 'Business Development Manager – Innovation' to join our team to help take our holistic approach to incentives and reliefs to new prospects, as well as working with existing clients to ensure they are getting maximum value from our full suite of services.

You’ll drive revenue growth by identifying, securing and developing new business opportunities across R&D tax services and the wider innovation incentives portfolio. You’ll also build lasting commercial relationships by translating complex incentive frameworks into compelling value propositions.

What you’ll be doing

• Building, managing, and growing a high-quality pipeline across target sectors and the full suite of innovation services: R&D tax relief, grants, capital allowances, and Patent Box.
• Proactively generating new B2B opportunities through outbound activity, events, referrals, and market intelligence.
• Leading prospects through the full business development lifecycle.
• Identifying and pursuing cross‑selling opportunities across the existing client base.
• Collaborating with technical and delivery teams to scope opportunities accurately and coordinate next steps.
• Mapping target markets, industry trends, and emerging opportunities.
• Developing outreach strategies tailored to sector dynamics and client profiles.
• Maintaining strong product knowledge and staying current with relevant legislative and policy changes.
• Using CRM systems to track activity, pipeline progression, forecasting, and conversion metrics.
• Preparing proposals, presentations, and commercial documentation.
• Contributing to revenue planning, campaign development, and continuous improvement of the business development function.

What you’ll need

Our ideal candidate is someone who can proactively source cold opportunities, is skilled at cross‑selling and is able to guide prospects through a structured business development cycle. Your success will be defined by consistent pipeline creation, strong conversion and sustained client impact.

You will be commercially minded, able to work collaboratively with technical, marketing and leadership teams and be confident in presenting and negotiating, as well as establishing rapport with senior stakeholders.

A proven track record in B2B sales, consultancy or business development is a must, preferably with experience of SaaS or service‑based sales in a professional or financial services context. Experience in R&D tax relief would be a bonus.

You must also be able to communicate the value of innovation incentives with clarity and credibility, developing new ‘hooks’ and approaches to demonstrate value to senior decision‑makers.

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive basic salary and uncapped commission
• Hybrid working (three days a week in any of our London, Bristol or Glasgow offices and two remote)
• Modern, vibrant offices, a short walk from Temple Meads station
• 25 days a year holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing with service
• Regular team lunches
• Private medical insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Workout Wednesdays (look after your health and wellbeing by starting Wednesdays an hour later to exercise)

Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for employment visas at this time. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship.

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