Business Development Manager - Drain Doctor (South East)

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

As Lead 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

Leadership & Coaching

• Coach, mentor, and motivate Franchise Business Owners to maximise performance
• Provide best practice guidance to Franchisees and the wider BDM team
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across Marketing, Finance, and Operations
• Support and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the network

Systems, Standards & Governance

• Ensure Franchisees operate in line with company standards and brand expectations
• Deliver training on in‑house systems to improve productivity and efficiency
• Maintain accurate, timely performance data and reporting
• Positively promote company policies and ways of working

Strategic Projects & Brand Partnership

• Partner closely with the Brand Leader to support the development and delivery of strategic initiatives across the franchise network.
• Translate brand and strategic objectives into practical, scalable actions for Franchisees and where appropriate the wider Business Development team.
• Provide operational insight and commercial challenge to strategic projects, identifying risks, opportunities, and implementation considerations.
• Act as a key conduit between strategy and execution, ensuring initiatives are effectively embedded within region and as appropriate across the network.
• Support the rollout of new processes, systems, and ways of working, ensuring consistency with the Brand and Franchise model.

Best Practice & Continuous Improvement

• Champion a continuous improvement mindset across the franchise network and Business Development team.
• Identify, develop, and share best practice to drive performance, efficiency, and customer outcomes.
• Regularly review Franchisee performance to identify trends, capability gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead by example in adopting and promoting data‑led decision making and performance insight.
• Encourage innovation while ensuring alignment with company standards, brand values, and governance requirements.

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

Desirable

• Experience working within a franchise environment
• Experience within the drainage or related service industry

SKILLS / COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgement
• Highly analytical with the ability to turn data into action
• Excellent relationship builder and influencer
• Confident negotiator with the ability to close and drive outcomes
• Strong problem‑solver who acts quickly and decisively
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced 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

Brand: