Business Development Manager, DACH in Germany - The Little Gym Europe

€60k (pro rata if part-time) + per-sale and milestone bonuses

Location: Western Germany, field-based with regular travel across the region, anchored around the existing Düsseldorf, Cologne and Bonn gyms.

Our Client The Little Gym Europe (TLGE), is part of an International children’s enrichment franchise, for children from four months to twelve years. Their aim is to build the foundations for kids to reach their potential. Through purposeful and playful gymnastics, they build strong bodies, curious minds and confident kids. They're looking for a Business Development Manager, DACH, to lead franchise growth across Germany, one of their top priority markets, converting strong existing enquiry volume into signed franchise partners and building the local pipeline that will take the market into its next phase.

This is a rare chance to shape a market from the ground up. Germany already generates genuine demand, over 200 enquiries last year, with three gyms already open and run by two franchise partners, but that interest needs someone with real cultural fluency, fluent German, and a consultative approach to convert it into signed agreements. It's a considered sales process built around a significant, ten-year commitment, not a transactional numbers game, and the person who takes it on will have genuine ownership over how the German market develops, with scope to extend that remit into Austria and Switzerland as it matures.

On offer is a basic of €60k plus bonus, a full‑time role with part-time (three days a week) considered for the right candidate, and the chance to build something meaningful within an established, fast‑growing international franchise brand.

Working pattern

Full‑time, with part-time (three days a week) considered for the right candidate. This is a field‑based role that includes at least three team meetings in London each year, plus discovery days in Düsseldorf and, potentially, London or Brussels, alongside regular travel to trade shows, franchise exhibitions and grassroots events across Germany.

Key responsibilities

Inbound pipeline: Own and convert inbound franchise enquiries, managing each prospect through a considered, consultative sales process through to a signed agreement.
Proactive outreach: Directly source and approach prospective franchise partners, building a pipeline that does not rely on inbound enquiries alone.
Trade shows and exhibitions: Represent The Little Gym Europe at trade shows and franchise exhibitions, generating visibility and new leads across priority cities.
Commercial market engagement: Build and maintain relationships with landlords, agents, banks, and franchise and commercial associations to open doors into the local business community.
Grassroots and community events: Run grassroots events and community activity that builds local awareness and feeds the franchise pipeline.
Marketing collaboration: Feed insights back to the Marketing team through a consistent, data‑driven feedback loop on lead quality and conversion, helping sharpen messaging and keep the inbound pipeline well managed.
Franchise sales process: Guide qualified prospects through the full sales journey to a signed ten‑year franchise agreement, with the empathy the decision deserves.

About you

German market fluency: Fluent, native‑level German and deep, demonstrable experience living and working in the German market, with cultural fluency central to this sales conversation.
Language Skills: English written and verbal at B2 competency or above
Commercial background: Experience in franchise sales, B2B sales, commercial property or multi‑unit retail, ideally within fitness, leisure, hospitality or childcare.
Franchise or real estate sales experience: Bricks‑and‑mortar franchise sales experience at a similar investment scale is the strongest fit, though backgrounds in high‑value commercial property, leisure, hospitality or F'B franchising are also welcome.
Commercial acumen: Comfortable discussing P&Ls, unit economics and investment decisions with prospective franchise partners.
Consultative selling style: An empathetic, consultative seller rather than a transactional one, comfortable guiding people through a significant, ten‑year commitment.
Understanding of small business ownership: A genuine understanding of what small business ownership means and the weight of that decision for a prospective franchisee.

What's in it for you

The chance to shape a priority growth market from an early stage, with genuine ownership over the pipeline.
A bonus paid on every signed franchise partner, plus milestone bonuses such as joining the German Franchise Federation.
A full‑time role, with part‑time (three days a week) considered for the right candidate.
Scope to grow the remit further into Austria and Switzerland as the German market matures, and a warm welcome to strong candidates with a commercial property or real estate background.

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