THE ROLE

At Debenhams Group, we are on a journey of transformation, revitalising our brand, culture, and connection with colleagues and customers alike. In a fast-changing retail environment, effective and authentic communication is vital to building trust, aligning our teams, and amplifying the impact of our work across internal and external audiences.

We're looking for an ambitious, energetic and commercially driven Business Development Manager to help take Debenhams Marketplace to the next level.

You'll be responsible for growing our partner portfolio across multiple categories, unlocking new commercial opportunities and making Debenhams the marketplace partner of choice for the brands we want to work with.

As the first point of contact for prospective partners, you'll own the journey from identifying the right brands and making the first approach through to negotiation and acquisition. You'll build strong relationships with brands, aggregators and strategic service providers, creating partnerships that deliver real commercial value.

You'll also challenge how we work. Using AI-driven automation, innovation and scalable processes, you'll accelerate brand acquisition, open up new categories and make our business development operation more efficient.

Reporting to the Head of Business Development, you'll lead, coach and develop a team of Business Development Associates and Assistants, setting the pace, driving performance and delivering against ambitious commercial objectives.

This is a hands-on role for someone who combines commercial thinking, entrepreneurial energy, innovation and the ability to get things done through a team. 

This role will be based out of our central Manchester office and is a 12-month FTC.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Be a front-line ambassador for Debenhams, engaging with prospective sellers, brands, strategic partners and service providers.
• Identify gaps and opportunities across our brand, offer and category portfolio, turning insight into targeted outreach strategies that accelerate brand acquisition, category expansion and marketplace turnover.
• Own partner outreach and commercial negotiations, securing agreements with partners who are commercially aligned and ready to launch.
• Build and develop strategic relationships with aggregators and service providers, identifying opportunities for collaboration and joint growth.
• Use AI-driven automation to build, implement and continuously improve scalable business development processes, increasing efficiency and accelerating growth.
• Work closely with Onboarding and Account Management to ensure a seamless transition from signed partner to successful marketplace launch.
• Collaborate with teams across Debenhams, including SLT, Group Brands, Marketing, Legal, Finance, Tax, Tech, Ecommerce, Supply Chain and Operations, to deliver cross-divisional growth projects against ambitious targets and tight deadlines.
• Represent Debenhams at trade fairs, marketplace events, seminars and industry conferences, confidently selling our proposition and bringing new sellers into the business.
• Lead, manage, train and develop the Business Development team, setting clear objectives and KPIs, building capability and ensuring individual and collective targets are delivered.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

• Proven experience in Business Development, ideally 5-7 years within an online marketplace, ecommerce or retail environment. Alternatively, experience in brand or category management or an ecommerce consultancy working across Business Development, Key Account Management or Brand Management
• Entrepreneurial, proactive and solutions-focused, with a genuine can-do attitude and a bias towards action.
• Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to spot opportunities, make decisions and deliver business performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building strategic partnerships and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple fast-moving priorities and competing deadlines, keep track of numerous workstreams and maintain clear visibility of progress, risks and next steps, providing accurate updates and status at any time.
• Experience managing, coaching and developing a team, with the ability to bring people with you and get the best out of them.

WORKING WITH US

At Debenhams Group we thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers—people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact. 

WHY JOIN US

Our mission is to create a workplace where everyone is respected, individual differences are valued, and people can be themselves at work — without exception.

2025 was a year of significant change for the Group. 2026 is about bold moves, real results and unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, you belong at Debenhams Group.

Our benefits include (subject to level and eligibility):

• Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover and life assurance
• Access to an on-site gym and free weekly Pilates, yoga and fitness classes
• Discount across all brands
• Comprehensive wellbeing package
• Dog-friendly offices
• Ongoing learning and development with strong internal progression
• On-site canteen serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and hot drinks
• Free season ticket loan

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