Business Development Manager Review
at Wiltshire council
Degree Apprenticeship
Teaching, Business Management, Government
Wiltshire
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My job role involves leading a small team within the adult community learning team at a local authority to ensure our service engages with adult and family learners in underserved communities or who face disadvantage. On a day-to-day basis this is a varied role which includes: line management, developing strategy, resource management through timetabling and planning of staff resources, building and maintaining strong partnership relationships, marketing and brand positioning of our service area, ensuring compliance with funding regulations and teaching best practice, horizon-scanning for opportunities for innovation and growth for the team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am hugely enjoying my apprenticeship. As a manager, taking on a L7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship has given me confidence in myself and my skills as a leader. I am learning so much at a strategic level, and I enjoy the opportunities to apply what I have learnt in my daily job. I've enjoyed getting back into academic study, and taking a deep dive into research to benefit my understanding of key concepts in relation to my organisation and my work context. I find the programme is bringing me the right level of stretch and challenge, and I am enjoying the academic rigour too. I am well supported by my manager and those within my organisation, and by my coach and lecturers from the university.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I think one of the biggest areas that I have developed in has been my understanding of competitive strategies and how to take a data-driven and evidence-led approach to decision making and strategic direction. I feel I have also grown in my confidence, and my voice, and that I am better able to influence both upwards and outwards for effective collaboration. I have increased my skills in financial management, an area that was quote new for me, and I can now calculate return on investment and cost-effectiveness for a project, now and going forward. I have also developed my skills in organisation and time-management, to keep on track with the programme, and I have developed my academic skills to research and write at Level 7. Another change is in how I see myself - I am more prepared for the uncertainty that is part of leadership (this is definitely a skill I have needed to develop, and I am really pleased with how I have been able to build this capacity in myself) and I feel more confident in my role now that I have more skills in my toolkit to draw upon.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I find that the course is well structured into 10 week blocks, with online learning, live sessions, independent study and assignments. The knowledge developed within the course builds on from each module logically and progressively.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employed has given me an excellent level of support - from enabling me to understand the structure and time commitment of the programme, to onboarding, to receiving consistently empowering support and encouragement from my line manager which enables me to progress well with my off-the-job hours, my assignments and portfolio by facilitating me to have meaningful opportunities to embed my learning into my role.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I meet with my coach regularly, and she provides me with support, encouragement and coaching to progress well through the programme. I had a different coach for the first few months due to some staff changes, but I am really settled with the coach that I have now, and I feel she really understands me and my motivations to help me to achieve my best.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I think the confidence-boost that has come from study at this level has been really beneficial to me, and has helped me to move past the 'imposter syndrome' I have felt in the past. I have been able to contextualise my assignments to specific challenges or problems that I face in my role, enabling me to research into these areas to create solutions that can be applied in my organisation.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There are extra-curricular activities such as exercise groups, networking events, a choir etc.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Wiltshire council to a friend?
Yes
Why?
As an employer, Wiltshire Council embeds values into culture and provides support to all employees. I also enjoy working for an employer that serves the community for the public good. Staff are fabulous and caring, and go the extra mile to support their customers/Wiltshire residents. I have found Wiltshire Council to be an inclusive, family-friendly and supportive employer.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Wiltshire council?
Look at the "Our Identity" values on the website - you will be asked questions to see how well you demonstrate these qualities. Do your research; a lot of what the council do is shared on the website, so get to know the service area and context around the role.
