Trainee Automotive Business Development Executive

If you enjoy meeting people, have an interest in cars and want to build a career in the automotive industry, this could be an excellent opportunity.

Kestrel Talent is recruiting a Trainee Automotive Business Development Executive for an established business within the vehicle repair sector.

You do not need to be an experienced salesperson or already know everyone in the industry. The business is looking for someone with the right personality, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

You will work alongside experienced people, learn how the automotive repair market operates and gradually develop the confidence and knowledge to manage client relationships and find new business.

This is not a role where you will spend every day behind a desk. You will visit clients, attend automotive events, help with golf days and hospitality, join award ceremonies and meet people from across the industry.

It offers a genuine opportunity to build a long-term career while developing practical experience in client relationships, networking and business development.

What You Will Learn

You will learn how to:

• Build and maintain professional relationships with clients.

• Prepare for and attend client meetings.

• Understand how the vehicle repair and accident management market operates.

• Follow up enquiries, introductions and potential business opportunities.

• Communicate confidently with clients, repairers and industry contacts.

• Help organise and attend golf days, client events and hospitality.

• Represent a business professionally at industry events and award ceremonies.

• Keep accurate records of conversations, meetings and agreed actions.

• Develop new contacts through networking, introductions and referrals.

As your knowledge and confidence grow, you will take on more responsibility for your own client relationships and business opportunities.

Who Could Suit This Role

This opportunity could suit:

• Someone at the beginning of their career who wants to develop within the automotive industry.

• A graduate interested in business, sales, marketing, events or relationship management.

• Someone from retail, hospitality, customer service or another people-focused position.

• A person already working in a junior automotive role who wants to move into the commercial side of the industry.

• Someone without a degree who can demonstrate the right attitude, confidence and willingness to learn.

What We Are Looking For

You should be:

• Genuinely interested in cars, vehicles or the wider automotive industry.

• Friendly, enthusiastic and comfortable meeting new people.

• Confident enough to start conversations and build rapport.

• Professional and presentable when meeting clients.

• Organised, reliable and willing to follow things through.

• Keen to learn and comfortable receiving guidance.

• Happy to travel regularly throughout London, the M25 and the Home Counties.

• Willing to attend occasional evening events, award ceremonies and client hospitality.

• In possession of a full UK driving licence.

Previous sales or automotive experience would be helpful, but it is not essential. Personality, attitude and potential are more important.

What Is On Offer

• A salary of £30,000–£35,000, including a company car.

• Training and support from experienced people within the automotive repair sector.

• Exposure to client meetings, networking, hospitality and industry events.

• The opportunity to build contacts across the automotive market.

• Increasing responsibility as your experience develops.

• A clear route into client relationship management and business development.

• A varied, social and people-focused role where no two weeks are likely to be exactly the same.

How To Apply

Please apply with your CV and a short explanation of why you are interested in the automotive industry and what appeals to you about a client-facing career.

Kestrel Talent is acting as an employment agency in relation to this permanent vacancy