Business Development Manager - AI Start-Up

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a high-growth AI start-up as its first dedicated commercial hire.

The business has developed an innovative platform focused on helping industrial and operational organisations optimise complex systems through advanced modelling and intelligent decision-making tools. Having already secured early enterprise engagement and been recognised as a particularly exciting growth prospect within the sector, the company is now entering its next phase of commercial expansion.

The organisation has recently been awarded Innovate UK funding in recognition of both the strength of the technology and its future market potential.

This role offers the opportunity to work directly alongside the Founder to help build the commercial function from the ground up within a highly innovative and technically sophisticated business.

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on business development role focused on generating new conversations, understanding operational challenges, and converting opportunities into pilot programmes and long-term partnerships.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and engaging prospective customers through proactive outbound activity
• Conducting cold outreach campaigns via phone, LinkedIn, and email
• Speaking with operational leaders to understand inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and operational pain points
• Qualifying opportunities and coordinating demonstrations with the technical team
• Supporting the conversion of prospects into pilot subscriptions and commercial partnerships
• Helping shape outreach strategy, messaging, and early commercial processes as the company scales
• Building relationships with senior stakeholders across industrial and operational environments

This is not a passive account management role. Success will come from being proactive, commercially driven, resilient, and comfortable initiating conversations with senior decision-makers.

Candidate Profile

The company is open to candidates from a variety of backgrounds, particularly individuals who combine technical credibility with strong communication and business development capability.

Suitable backgrounds may include:

• Engineering, scientific, mathematical, or technical undergraduate education, combined with recruitment, consultative sales, technical business development, or commercially focused client-facing roles
• Experience involving outbound sales, cold calling, or pipeline generation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Intellectual curiosity and the ability to quickly grasp technical concepts
• A self-starting mentality with enthusiasm for joining an early-stage, entrepreneurial environment

Applicants do not need to be deep technical experts, as they will work closely with a highly specialised technical team during demonstrations and solution discussions.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to become the first commercial hire within a rapidly growing AI start-up
• Direct exposure to the Founder and senior leadership team
• Chance to help shape commercial strategy from an early stage
• Backed by Innovate UK funding and strong market momentum
• Significant opportunity for progression as the business scales
• Highly entrepreneurial environment with autonomy and influence
• Exposure to cutting-edge AI applications solving real operational problems

This role would particularly suit an ambitious individual looking to combine technical interest with a highly commercial, relationship-driven role within a fast-growth technology environment.

Zest Scientific is actively shortlisting for this opportunity.

To apply or request further information, please send your CV to: