Business Development Manager - #2193149

ThinkFest brings people and organisations together through events, business networking and commercial partnerships. Our work includes awards ceremonies, conferences, exhibitions and events delivered for clients. The wider portfolio includes the Festival of Apprenticeships, Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards and Business Book Awards, alongside opportunities connected with the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance.

We work with employers, training providers, colleges, universities and other partners. This role offers the opportunity to turn those relationships and platforms into sustainable commercial growth, while helping customers reach the audiences and opportunities that matter to them.

We are looking for a proactive sales professional who can open doors, understand what a customer needs and turn conversations into paid business. You will own the sales process from prospecting and discovery through to proposals, negotiation, closing and account development.

Your focus will be generating profitable new revenue through sponsorship, exhibition packages, corporate event services and partnerships, including approved MASA patronage opportunities. You will also develop existing accounts and secure repeat business. You must be comfortable making outbound calls, approaching senior decision makers and asking for the sale.

• Sponsorship and commercial partnerships across the approved ThinkFest event portfolio.
• Exhibition stands, speaking and advertising packages, corporate tables and group bookings where available.
• Event management services for organisations planning conferences, awards, launches and networking events.
• MASA patronage and partnership packages, working with the Alliance team to agree deliverable commitments.

• Build and maintain a targeted prospect pipeline. Research organisations, identify budget holders and use calls, email, LinkedIn and events to create qualified opportunities.
• Run effective discovery conversations. Establish the customer’s audience, commercial or social value objectives, budget, buying process and timescales before recommending a package.
• Prepare clear proposals that explain the deliverables, price, expected value and next step. Negotiate within agreed pricing and margin limits and secure signed agreements.
• Meet agreed sales, gross profit and revenue collection targets. Manage follow ups, forecast accurately and maintain complete CRM records, including a next action for every live opportunity.
• Grow existing accounts through renewals, relevant additional services and introductions across the portfolio. Build relationships with several contacts in each account.
• Work closely with event delivery, marketing, finance and MASA colleagues. Confirm availability and delivery capacity before selling, and provide a complete handover after each agreement.
• Keep customers informed, review the results of their investment and use feedback to improve future proposals. Support timely invoicing and payment follow up with finance.
• Represent ThinkFest professionally at meetings and events. Share market feedback and propose practical improvements to products, pricing and sales activity.
  

• Evidence of winning B2B sales through proactive prospecting and managing opportunities through to close. Be ready to explain your targets, results and personal contribution.
• Confident outbound calling and relationship building with senior decision makers, including when handling objections or negotiating commercial terms.
• Strong proposal writing, presentation and account management skills, with a clear understanding of revenue, margin and customer value.
• Disciplined use of a CRM and a structured approach to follow ups, forecasting and prioritisation. You take ownership and can work independently.
• A professional, credible approach and the ability to work with delivery colleagues to keep promises to customers.
  

• Sales experience in sponsorship, exhibitions, conferences, professional membership, corporate partnerships or event services. Existing relationships in apprenticeships, skills, education, employer engagement or business networks would be useful. Relevant sales capability matters more than a particular qualification.