BASELINE INFORMATION
JOB TITLE: Business Development Manager (South)
JOB TYPE: Field-Based, Permanent
OPERATING LOCATION: South England (ideally located between Buckinghamshire & Hertfordshire)
SALARY: £55,000-£65,000 (Depending on experience)
HOURS: 40 Hours per week
REPORTING TO: Managing Director/Brand Leader
Drain Doctor:
Drain Doctor is a market-leading national provider of emergency and planned drainage and plumbing services through a franchised network of over 30 locations, and forms a key brand within Neighbourly, a values-guided world-leader of franchise brands focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing customer’s homes and businesses.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
This role has a region of franchise business owners that you would be responsible for. As Business Development Manager, you will be the primary link between Franchise Business Owners and Head Office. Your role is to drive sustainable growth, profitability, and operational excellence across the franchise network while helping to coach and support the other Business Development Managers, as required.
You will partner closely with Franchisees from onboarding through launch and ongoing development, ensuring they operate in line with the business model, achieve financial targets, and continuously improve performance.
KEY OUTCOMES:
- Profitable, high-performing franchisees aligned to the business model
- Strong, trusted relationships between franchisees and Head Office
- Early identification and turnaround of underperforming businesses
- Consistent use of data, KPIs, and insight to drive decision-making
- A capable, engaged business development team sharing best practice
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Franchise Performance & Growth
- Analyse Franchisee businesses with a strong focus on profit, margin, and efficiency
- Partner with Franchisees to develop and deliver robust business plans
- Monitor KPIs, sales pipelines, and operational performance to drive growth
- Proactively manage underperformance with early intervention and turnaround planning
- Set, review, and support sales, growth, and customer service standards
Financial & Commercial Insight
- Build and review financial models, P&Ls, and performance dashboards
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency
- Provide meaningful insight and analysis to support Franchisee decision‑making
- Prepare reports for Senior Management highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities
Franchise Development & Onboarding
- Support new Franchisees through training, launch, and early development
- Oversee setup activities including vehicles, uniforms, stationery, and systems
- Support transitions of cluster areas into successful Franchisee operations
- Accompany Franchisees on customer appointments where appropriate
EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE
Experience:
(Essential)
- Proven experience in Business Development, Sales, or Commercial Leadership
- Strong background in business planning, data analysis, and performance management
- Demonstrable P&L and commercial acumen
- Experience working cross-functionally (Marketing, Finance, Operations)
- Confident using CRM systems, Excel, Teams and Powerpoint
- Right to work in the UK with full UK driving licence
- Experience within the drainage or related service industry
(Desirable)
- Experience working within a franchise environment
Attributes:
- Collaborative, supportive and driven style with the ability to have challenging conversations
- Passionate about coaching, mentoring, and developing others and their businesses
- Self‑motivated and comfortable working with autonomy
- Solutions‑focused, resilient, and adaptable
- Committed to helping Franchisees succeed while protecting the brand
INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT
Neighbourly is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their age, sex, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.