Business Development Manager

Job summary

Abbeymead Dental Centre is looking for an experienced Business Development Manager to lead and develop the practice during a 12–18 month maternity cover period. This is a predominantly private, purpose-built eight-surgery practice with a well-established, long-standing team.

The role combines day-to-day practice management with business development, commercial performance, team leadership and positive change. Working closely with the Director of Clinic Support, you will take responsibility for the operational and commercial performance of the practice, while supporting and developing the team, strengthening clinician engagement and ensuring an exceptional patient experience.

This is an opportunity for a confident, commercially minded leader who can build on the practice’s strong foundations, introduce new ideas and help shape its next stage of growth. Dental experience is not essential; we are open to candidates with strong transferable leadership, commercial and change-management experience from other relevant sectors.

Main duties of the job

As Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for the overall operational, commercial and financial performance of Abbeymead Dental Centre, working closely with the Director of Clinic Support and the wider Envisage Dental leadership team.

You will lead and develop the practice team, creating a positive and collaborative environment where colleagues feel supported, engaged and motivated. You will work closely with both employed and self-employed clinicians, building strong relationships and ensuring effective communication across the practice.

A key focus of the role will be identifying opportunities for growth and improvement. You will use KPIs, financial information and operational data to understand performance, develop action plans and drive sustainable improvements across the practice. You will also support local marketing and business development activity to increase patient growth and strengthen the practice’s reputation.

Alongside the commercial aspects of the role, you will oversee the smooth day-to-day running of the eight-surgery practice, including diary utilisation, recalls, stock management, equipment maintenance, patient complaints and compliance with CQC, health and safety and other regulatory requirements.

You will also play an important role in leading positive change. We are looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas, engage colleagues and clinicians, and turn opportunities into meaningful improvements while maintaining the strong team culture and high standards of patient care already established at Abbeymead.

Dental experience is not essential for this role. We are open to candidates with strong leadership, commercial, operational or change-management experience who can demonstrate the ability to develop people, improve performance and help a successful business move forward.

About us

Abbeymead is a well-established, predominantly private, purpose-built eight-surgery practice over two floors, with a fantastic long-standing team. The clinical team includes both self-employed clinicians and employed colleagues, creating a varied and dynamic working environment.

Envisage Dental is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, belief, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

As part of our commitment to fair and equitable recruitment practices, we do not request or consider salary history during the hiring process. Compensation is determined based on the requirements of the role, relevant skills, qualifications and experience.

Job responsibilities

Business Development Manager

Abbeymead Dental Centre | Chertsey, Surrey 12–18 Month Maternity Cover | Full-Time | Flexible 4- or 5-Day Working Pattern

Abbeymead Dental Centre is looking for an experienced and confident Business Development Manager to join our established team in Chertsey, Surrey.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys developing people, improving businesses and making a positive difference. The role is initially offered as a 12–18 month maternity cover, with the potential for the right opportunity beyond this period.

Abbeymead is a well-established, predominantly private, purpose-built eight-surgery practice over two floors, with a fantastic long-standing team. The clinical team includes both self-employed clinicians and employed colleagues, creating a varied and dynamic working environment.

We are looking for someone who can balance the day-to-day management of a busy private practice with driving sustainable growth, colleague engagement and exceptional patient care. This is not a role where you will simply maintain the status quo. You will have the opportunity to build on an already successful practice, introduce new ideas, develop the team and identify opportunities to improve performance and continue the practice’s growth.

About the Role

With the support of your Director of Clinic Support (DOCS), you will take responsibility for the operational, financial and commercial success of the practice.

You will be a visible and approachable leader, working closely with colleagues and clinicians to create a positive, collaborative culture. You’ll bring energy and fresh thinking to the practice, while respecting the strong foundations and relationships already in place.

A key part of the role will be leading positive change. We are looking for someone who enjoys identifying opportunities, implementing improvements and bringing people with them. Previous change management experience would be highly beneficial.

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development

Lead, motivate and inspire a high-performing clinical and administrative team, creating a positive and collaborative culture through coaching, mentoring and effective communication.

Conduct daily huddles, regular one-to-ones and monthly practice meetings, while supporting recruitment, onboarding and succession planning.

Develop colleagues through ongoing performance and development plans, manage annual leave and sickness absence, and support colleague performance.

Build strong working relationships with both employed and self-employed clinicians, encouraging engagement and creating enthusiasm around new ideas and ways of working.

Commercial & Financial Performance

Take ownership of the practice’s financial and commercial performance, demonstrating strong commercial awareness and business acumen.

Analyse KPIs, financial reports and operational data to identify opportunities for growth, translating business insights into practical actions that improve productivity, profitability and patient experience.

Work towards revenue, EBITDA and Annual Operating Plan targets, conducting regular business reviews and implementing action plans where required.

Oversee payroll approvals, associate payments and practice expenses, while developing and supporting local marketing initiatives to increase patient growth and strengthen the practice’s reputation.

Operational Excellence

Ensure the smooth and effective day-to-day running of the practice, optimising clinician diaries, recalls and utilisation.

Oversee equipment servicing and maintenance, manage stock levels and quarterly stock takes, and handle patient complaints professionally, empathetically and efficiently.

Maintain excellent standards of compliance, including CQC, health and safety and other regulatory requirements.

Identify opportunities to improve processes and ways of working across the practice.

Collaboration & Business Development

Build strong relationships with clinicians, associates and central support teams, including Finance, Marketing, Recruitment, HR and IT.

Work closely with the Director of Clinic Support and wider leadership team, attending regular leadership meetings and contributing to the wider business.

Support neighbouring practices where required and identify opportunities for business development and continued practice growth.

What You’ll Receive

• Flexible full-time working pattern across 4 or 5 days per week
• Competitive salary
• Leadership development and genuine career progression
• Ongoing support from the Envisage Dental leadership team
• Company pension scheme
• Employee referral rewards
• Additional birthday leave
• Quarterly team socials and annual celebrations

About You

We’re open-minded about your background, and dental experience isn’t essential. You may currently be working in dental practice, healthcare, professional services or another commercially focused environment. What matters most is your ability to lead people, understand commercial performance and drive positive change.

You won’t be expected to come in and change everything overnight. Instead, you’ll have the opportunity to understand the practice, build relationships with a fantastic long-standing team and work alongside the clinicians, before using your experience, ideas and leadership skills to develop the practice further and help shape its next stage of growth.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A confident and engaging leader
• Commercially aware with strong business acumen
• Experienced in managing and developing teams
• Proactive and comfortable taking ownership
• Able to analyse performance and turn insight into action
• Experienced in, or comfortable with, leading change
• Excellent at building relationships and engaging people
• Organised, resilient and able to manage competing priorities
• Passionate about delivering an exceptional patient and colleague experience

This is an exciting role for someone who wants to make a genuine impact. If you’re an experienced manager who enjoys leading people, developing businesses and making a positive difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Ready to Apply?

Click Apply today or contact Vicky in our Recruitment Team for a confidential chat at [email protected].

Envisage Dental is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, belief, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

As part of our commitment to fair and equitable recruitment practices, we do not request or consider salary history during the hiring process. Compensation is determined based on the requirements of the role, relevant skills, qualifications and experience.

ENVCM

Person specification

Were looking for a confident, commercially minded and people-focused leader who can take ownership

Essential

• We are looking for someone with proven experience in a management or leadership role, with responsibility for leading and developing a team. You will need strong people and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and bring people with you.
• Strong commercial awareness is important, along with an understanding of business performance, KPIs and targets. You should be comfortable analysing performance information and turning insights into practical actions that support growth and improvement.
• You will have a proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to take ownership, make decisions and implement positive change. Strong organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to manage competing priorities within a busy environment.
• You will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to excellent patient and colleague experience and be confident working with a range of stakeholders, including senior leaders and self-employed professionals.
• Dental experience is not essential; we will consider candidates with relevant transferable management, commercial, operational or change-management experience.

Desirable

• Clinical Sector Experience.