Senior Business Development Executive

Location: Sheffield/Hybrid (3 days in Sheffield Office) or Remote (1 or 2 days a month in Birmingham or Sheffield)

Salary: £35-40k base plus OTE

Harper James has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Business Development Executive to join our busy, successful and growing sales team. We are looking for ambitious, driven sales professionals with at least three years’ experience in phone-based or consultative B2B sales who want to build their career within an innovative and fast-growing professional services business.

You will be working as part of a collaborative, supportive and high-performing sales team.

About Harper James

Harper James is a national commercial law firm designed to support entrepreneurial businesses from start-up through to exit. Our mission is to make high-quality legal support more accessible, commercial and aligned with how modern businesses operate.

Founded in 2014, Harper James has grown rapidly and continues to expand at 40%+ year-on-year. This financial year more than 150 people will support over 4,000 businesses, with turnover expected to exceed £14m, and we anticipate doubling in size over the next two years.

Our innovative approach to delivering legal services challenges the traditional law firm model, providing flexible and tailored legal support to ambitious businesses across the UK.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will engage with prospective clients who are exploring legal support for their businesses. Working primarily with SMEs and high‑growth companies, you will focus on understanding the commercial context they operate in and the legal issues that may affect their operations both now and in the future.

You will lead consultative conversations that identify where legal guidance could add value, drawing on services across areas such as employment, corporate matters, commercial agreements, disputes, property, intellectual property and data protection. Your objective will be to help businesses recognise how ongoing legal support from Harper James can help them operate confidently and scale effectively.

The position includes a steady pipeline of enquiries generated through the firm’s marketing activity. Alongside this, you will be encouraged to build additional opportunities through proactive outreach, professional relationships and referrals.

You will be supported with structured training to strengthen your understanding of the legal and commercial pressures facing UK businesses. Throughout the process, you will also work closely with experienced solicitors who can provide technical insight and support during client discussions.

Strong performance is recognised through a competitive commission structure and defined opportunities to progress within the wider business development function.

What You’ll Do

• Act as the first point of contact for new business enquiries

• Qualify inbound leads generated by the marketing team

• Proactively identify and generate opportunities through outbound activity

• Take a consultative approach to understand clients’ legal and commercial needs

• Demonstrate how Harper James’ legal services can support business growth and manage risk

• Manage the full sales pipeline from initial contact through to client onboarding

• Consistently strive to exceed individual targets and KPIs

• Build strong working relationships with solicitors and practice teams across the firm

• Maintain accurate records and pipeline management within our CRM

• Provide regular reporting on activity and pipeline performance

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years’ experience in phone-based or consultative B2B sales with a strong track record of meeting or exceeding targets

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• The ability to build credibility with senior decision-makers, from start-ups to C-suite leaders

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

• A consultative sales mindset focused on understanding and solving client problems

• Experience managing and progressing opportunities through a CRM-based pipeline

• High levels of energy, resilience and self-motivation

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team

• A desire to learn, develop and contribute to a fast-growing, innovative business

Legal sector experience is not required. You will receive training to build your knowledge of the legal landscape and the challenges faced by growing UK businesses.

Technology and Ways of Working

We are a modern, technology-enabled business and expect our team to be comfortable working with digital tools and platforms that improve efficiency and collaboration.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Are a quick learner who enjoys adapting to new systems and technologies

• Are interested in using AI tools to improve productivity and sales effectiveness

• Have a solid working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)

• Can confidently use tools such as SharePoint and CRM systems to manage information and collaborate with colleagues

Working from home

This role operates on a hybrid or fully remote basis. As the role involves frequent communication with prospective clients and colleagues, you must be able to conduct calls and meetings in a professional, distraction‑free environment with a reliable internet connection suitable for regular video calls.

If working fully remotely, you will be required to attend our Birmingham or Sheffield office 1–2 times per month for meetings.

Benefits

• £35-40k base salary depending on experience plus OTE is uncapped and paid from day 1, in year 1 we expect you to achieve £42- £47k

• Company healthcare scheme (including discounted gym membership)

• Company pension

• Electric car scheme

• 33 days holiday plus holiday purchase scheme

• Mentoring, training and support from an experienced sales leadership team

• Annual opportunities for external training and development

• Clear progression opportunities within a rapidly growing business

• Monthly team events and socials

• Access to modern sales tools and technology

If you’re looking to develop your career within a high-growth, innovative business and enjoy working in a fast-paced sales environment where performance is recognised and rewarded, we would love to hear from you.