Event Sales and Business Development Manager

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Event Sales and Business Development Manager, Hillsborough

Client:

Staffline Recruitment Ireland

Location:

Hillsborough, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

1

Posted:

30.03.2025

Expiry Date:

14.05.2025

Job Description:

Event Sales and Business Development Manager

Staffline Ireland are recruiting for an Event Sales and Business Development Manager on behalf of a 5* arts and cultural venue. The Event Sales and Business Development Manager will grow income through proactive sales and business development activity designed to maximise the commercial potential of the venue for hire. You will be directly responsible for lead generation, sales conversions, and revenue growth managing a small sales team, setting sales targets, developing sales strategies, regularly reporting on performance across income streams.

Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with the Head of Events, you will design and deliver a pro-active sales strategy to maximise the income potential through the development of the venue hire business.
• You will be responsible for lead generation, establishing client needs, presenting effective solutions, producing proposals, and conducting site visits.
• You will develop compelling packages for weddings, corporate functions, events, and special occasions.
• You will be responsible for ensuring that relationships with clients are developed and maintained, resulting in high quality, profitable events, and the potential for repeat business.
• Develop a corporate membership and loyalty scheme for those corporate clients that would like to enjoy an enhanced (frequent user) relationship with the venue.
• Support the events teams to achieve their annual income targets from F&E sales.
• Produce monthly sales and market condition stats and reports to contribute to the monthly F&E managers’ and Sales meetings.
• Work with the Head of Commercial Events to continually identify new large-scale opportunities, e.g. full site hire for major events via 3rd parties e.g. concert promoters.
• Work in close partnership with the Operations and House and Collections Team who will support on-site event delivery, ensuring an exceptional 5* service is maintained at all events.
• Establish and maintain excellent relationships with suppliers.
• Work with the Head of Sales on developing the B2B Sales Plan.
• Support the Sales and Business Development Executive within your team to build relationships with third parties (agents, venue finders, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) to increase business and repeat business from these sources.
• Support the work of the sales executive within your team who will develop a plan to target the travel trade industry and attract group, domestic and inbound visitors through the creation of bespoke experiences/packages where required and profitable.
• Deliver professional and comprehensive event planning and management guidance to your event planners, supporting and managing event delivery when required.
• You will matrix manage the Philanthropy & Partnership Manager and develop strong relationships with the Development team to ensure a collaborative, integrated approach which ensures coordinated relationship management and optimised income generation.
• Work with the Head of Development Operations to agree income targets, covering major donors, corporate partnerships, and charitable trusts.
• Support the Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager to create and deliver the fundraising plan.
• Work with the F&E Sales & Marketing Executive to build, deliver and review the annual F&E marketing plan, developing content plans for F&E Social Media activity.
• Work with the F&E Sales and Marketing Executive to develop a programme of on-site profile-raising activities to support income generation.
• Any other duties the role may involve.

Person Specification:

• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of commercial business management and venue sales.
• Educated to degree level or vocational equivalent.
• A proven track record in establishing and managing an active client base and delivering sales growth.
• Financial accuracy and experience developing bespoke quotes and proposals in line with agreed income targets.
• Excellent networking skills to make and maintain connections with clients, suppliers, and key contacts.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, client-focused with a professional approach to work, colleagues, and external contacts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to present and explain detailed information clearly and succinctly.
• Persuasive and influential, able to build and develop professional networks to ‘soft sell’ and promote the venue to groups and individuals.
• Experience leading and supporting a small team to develop negotiation and sales skills, to upsell and increase sales margins.
• Experience of records management and an understanding of GDPR essential.
• Ability to provide our guests with the best service possible to grow and maintain our respected status.
• Good working knowledge of health & safety requirements for events.
• Word/Outlook/Excel and PowerPoint to Intermediate/Advanced standard.
• Experience/knowledge of CRM/database administration and report management.
• Ideally in the cultural/heritage sector. Has experience selling a venue and managing events therein with significant capacity.