Business Development Manager - Event Agency Partners

Togather started life as Feast It, in 2017, as a booking platform for people to book street food caterers for their birthday parties and weddings. Since then, we have grown to become the UK’s biggest events platform as Togather for food, drink, venues, photographers and so much more.

We’re here to help people make amazing memories on some of the biggest and best days of their lives. Whether they’re planning the whole-company summer party, hosting an epic dinner party, or running an entire festival, we can - and do - help with all of it.

None of this would be possible without our amazing community of partners, who we handpick from across the country.

We’ve worked with everyone from Amazon, Nike, and London Pride, to Tom Cruise, Star Wars, and Taylor Swift. Within the office, we recently came #7 in the Startups 100 Awards and have been named in the top 15 in Tempo's 50 Best Places To Work. Our team truly love and care about what they do, which makes working here that much easier.

The Role:

Togather is transforming the event planning industry by helping organisers deliver exceptional experiences that win pitches and retain clients. Through our unique blend of specialist teams and cutting-edge technology, we connect events with the best suppliers, setting a new standard for quality and execution. We’ve already established a strong foothold in the UK market, working with leading agencies to elevate private events, experiential campaigns, activations, weddings, corporate functions, and conferences.

The UK agency segment, which serves events and more, represents a £7 billion market. We estimate there are around 2,000 high-value accounts potentially worth approximately £350 million. We are seeking a strategic and experienced leader to refine and target this list, securing top accounts and driving growth. As the Head of Business Development, your mission will be to position Togather as the preferred supplier for high-profile agencies, solidifying our presence and enhancing our competitive edge in this dynamic industry.

This role is about expanding our reach, forging strong relationships with key agencies, and ensuring that Togather becomes synonymous with exceptional F&B services in the agency event space.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Account Development: Target and secure preferred supplier status with high-value accounts, focusing on top agencies in the event planning sector, including companies like Imagination, Jack Morton Worldwide, Wonderland Events, Smyle, Banks Sadler, and Clive.
2. Sales Process Management: Oversee the entire sales process from lead generation to contract execution, ensuring seamless delivery and tracking KPIs to measure success and drive growth in the £7 billion UK agency segment.
3. Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including major agencies, event organisers, and corporate clients, to secure long-term partnerships.
4. Industry Leadership: Leverage your extensive industry experience and extensive network of contacts to position Togather as the preferred partner for agency-led events, driving market penetration and business growth.
5. Market Research and Analysis: Conduct ongoing analysis of market trends, opportunities, and competitive threats, using data-driven insights to refine strategies and maintain Togather’s competitive advantage.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Extensive experience in the event planning industry, with a strong background working with high-profile agencies such as Jack Morton, Imagination, Informa, Reed Exhibitions, or Banks Sadler.
2. Industry blackbook and well-established network, particularly with key accounts in the agency event space.
3. Senior-level profile with significant recognition and influence within the industry.
4. Proven track record in securing and managing high-value partnerships in the agency sector.
5. Exceptional negotiation skills with a history of closing large-scale deals and securing favourable terms.
6. Strong industry knowledge with the ability to anticipate trends and adapt strategies to maintain competitive positioning.

Our offices are in London and we work with a hybrid model which requires a minimum of 3 days a week in the office.

We are passionate about equal opportunities and improving the tech industry for the better, so if you are from an underrepresented background then we would particularly love to hear from you.

Benefits:

1. Generous holiday allowance (25 days)
2. Enhanced Pension
3. EAP service
4. Enhanced Mat & Pat
5. Free coffee, beer, pizza and an overly stocked snack cupboard in the office
6. Significant discounts in a lot of London's best restaurants, bars and more
7. Regular team socials and events
8. A shiny new MacBook to work on
9. Loads of invites to food-industry events (yes they do usually have free food)
10. Dog-friendly