Job description
Business Development Manager | Exhibitions Supply Chain
Location: Dartford (hybrid, 2 to 3 days in the office, the rest out on the road hunting new business)
Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 (2 to 5 years' experience) / £50,000 to £55,000 (5+ years) + commission + car allowance
Reports to: Sales Manager
Role overview
This is an exciting new role: a growth-focused new business position for an event furniture hire company. The job is to find new markets and new customers, build strategic partnerships with larger venues and exhibition contractors, and secure long-term revenue rather than one-off orders. The focus is early-stage pipeline development, alliances and market entry, not day-to-day order taking. You'll also be a key brand ambassador for the business.
Company overview
An established event furniture hire company, founded in 2015, with several UK sites including a distribution centre in East London. They supply conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, venues and weddings across London and the UK, from conference seating and exhibition furniture to lounge sofas, exam desks and wedding tables. They're known for high stock levels, competitive rates and fast, flexible service, taking orders around the clock.
Where the role sits
Reports to the Sales Manager and works closely with the sales team, operations, marketing, the development team and finance to deliver projects and a great customer experience. Externally, you'll deal with venues, exhibition contractors, distributors, partners and key client stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
2 to 3 days in the Dartford office on research, prospecting, proposals and forecasting, working alongside sales, ops and finance. The rest of the week is out on the road hunting: specification meetings, venue visits and presentations with clients and prospects. Travel may cover the whole of the UK, for events as well as client and prospect meetings, so expect regular driving, some evenings and weekends, and occasional overnight stays.
Skills and experience
Essential
Will thrive: self-starting hunters who love research and prospecting, think strategically, build partnerships patiently and enjoy being out at events and meeting clients face to face.
Won't thrive: order-takers used to inbound leads, people who need constant direction, or anyone who doesn't want regular UK travel, evenings or overnight stays.
Package
Location: Dartford (hybrid, 2 to 3 days in the office, the rest out on the road hunting new business)
Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 (2 to 5 years' experience) / £50,000 to £55,000 (5+ years) + commission + car allowance
Reports to: Sales Manager
Role overview
This is an exciting new role: a growth-focused new business position for an event furniture hire company. The job is to find new markets and new customers, build strategic partnerships with larger venues and exhibition contractors, and secure long-term revenue rather than one-off orders. The focus is early-stage pipeline development, alliances and market entry, not day-to-day order taking. You'll also be a key brand ambassador for the business.
Company overview
An established event furniture hire company, founded in 2015, with several UK sites including a distribution centre in East London. They supply conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, venues and weddings across London and the UK, from conference seating and exhibition furniture to lounge sofas, exam desks and wedding tables. They're known for high stock levels, competitive rates and fast, flexible service, taking orders around the clock.
Where the role sits
Reports to the Sales Manager and works closely with the sales team, operations, marketing, the development team and finance to deliver projects and a great customer experience. Externally, you'll deal with venues, exhibition contractors, distributors, partners and key client stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
- Researching the live events and exhibitions market: industry trends, competitor activity and customer preferences, to find growth gaps
- Identifying, qualifying and nurturing high-value B2B prospects, especially larger venues and contractors
- Building and managing your own pipeline, from first approach to signed contract
- Running customer presentations, specification meetings and venue visits that showcase the range and win projects
- Writing proposals and tailored pitches, structuring partnership deals, negotiating contracts and closing
- Building long-term relationships with key clients, partners and stakeholders
- Representing the business at live events and exhibitions across the UK
- Setting revenue targets, building business plans, tracking KPIs and presenting forecasts to senior leadership
- Working with sales, distributors and contractors to see projects through to completion
- Collaborating with operations, marketing, development and finance on customer experience and project delivery
2 to 3 days in the Dartford office on research, prospecting, proposals and forecasting, working alongside sales, ops and finance. The rest of the week is out on the road hunting: specification meetings, venue visits and presentations with clients and prospects. Travel may cover the whole of the UK, for events as well as client and prospect meetings, so expect regular driving, some evenings and weekends, and occasional overnight stays.
Skills and experience
Essential
- Experience in the exhibitions or live events market, and/or working with larger venues and contractors
- 2 to 5+ years in business development, B2B sales or account management
- Market analysis, financial forecasting and contract negotiation
- CRM proficiency (Salesforce, HubSpot or similar)
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Strategic thinking, communication, persuasion and emotional intelligence
- A valid UK driving licence and happy to travel UK-wide
- Own transport
Will thrive: self-starting hunters who love research and prospecting, think strategically, build partnerships patiently and enjoy being out at events and meeting clients face to face.
Won't thrive: order-takers used to inbound leads, people who need constant direction, or anyone who doesn't want regular UK travel, evenings or overnight stays.
Package
- £40,000 to £45,000 base (2 to 5 years' experience) / £50,000 to £55,000 (5+ years)
- Commission structure
- Car allowance
- Permanent, hybrid working, 2 to 3 days in the office
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