Job description
Business Development Director – Manned Guarding / Security Services (National Role)
Palmer McCarthy Vacancy: Business Development Director (Ref 2697)
£120,000 + £30,000 Bonus + £10,000 Car Allowance | National Role
A retained, exclusive search mandate
Palmer McCarthy is working exclusively with a national Top 10 provider of manned guarding and security services, backed by a major global group, to appoint a Business Development Director / Head of Sales.
This is a rare opportunity to join a business with:
The scale and credibility of a Top 10 UK security provider
The financial strength and backing of a global parent group
A highly experienced CEO with deep industry pedigree and long-standing sector leadership
A clear mandate and appetite for aggressive, well-funded growth
This is not a turnaround or restructuring story — it is a growth-backed, investment-ready platform with the capability to win and deliver major national contracts.
The Opportunity
This is a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) appointment with full ownership of national business development and sales strategy.
National remit across the UK
Reporting directly to the CEO and SLT
Full ownership of business development, sales, bids, and marketing
Leadership of bid and marketing functions
Responsibility for shaping and scaling the national sales engine
Opportunity to build additional BDM capability (performance-led growth)
The main focus of this is on major strategic wins and £1m+ contracts.
What “good” looks like
This is a high-accountability, performance-led appointment:
Year 1: Build a high-quality, scalable national pipeline
Drive penetration into new sectors beyond current strength
Secure and progress £1m+ strategic opportunities
Establish a predictable and high-performing business development engine
Year 2: Deliver approximately £7m in annual new business revenue
Conversion of high-value pipeline into contracted revenue
Consistent delivery of £1m+ manned guarding / security deals
Tangible, measurable impact on national growth trajectory
This is a role for a doer as much as a leader — someone who still owns deals.
What we are looking for
We are seeking a serious, proven business development leader from the manned guarding / security services sector.
This role will not suit candidates who have stepped away from frontline selling
Required experience includes:
Strong track record in business development / sales within security / manned guarding
Consistent success winning £1m+ contracts
Demonstrable delivery of multi-million-pound annual revenue
Hands-on, frontline sales capability alongside leadership
Ability to open new sectors and build new revenue streams
Experience working with bid and marketing functions
Credibility to operate at Senior Leadership Team level
We are open to:
Senior BDDs ready for a first Head of Sales / BDD step
High-performing business development leaders from smaller security businesses
Commercial MDs with strong direct sales ownership and delivery focus
Why this role stands out
Top 10 UK manned guarding / security services provider
Backed by a global group with significant financial strength and growth appetite
Highly experienced CEO with long-standing sector credibility
Clear, funded growth mandate — not constrained ambition
Genuine SLT-level influence and autonomy
Opportunity to build and shape a national sales / business development function
Package
£120,000 base salary
£30,000 performance bonus
£10,000 car allowance
Private healthcare (post-probation)
25 days holiday
Next steps
If you are a high-performing business development professional within manned guarding / security services, and you remain actively engaged in winning large-scale contracts, we would welcome a confidential conversation.
This is a discreet, high-priority search for a business with the scale, backing, and ambition to deliver sustained national growth