Business Development Manager - Association Congresses & Conventions - London

Business Development Manager - Association Congresses & Conventions - London

We are a dynamic team focused on attracting international business events to London, securing economic benefit for the city and strengthening London’s reputation as the world’s greatest city to host an event. Sitting within the official London Convention Bureau team, this position is an event focused role, attracting international congresses and conventions to London within a competitive, global environment. The role requires strong research and business development skills, account management, creativity in producing the bids, and experience in relationship building. 

London & Partners is the ‘Growth agency for London’, ……. As an organisation, our mission is to passionately champion London\\\'s excellence with one confident and powerful voice to businesses, event organisers, students and visitors, and work to position London & Partners as the experts to partner with when looking to set up business or host a major corporate, sporting or cultural event in the capital.

Purpose of the Role

 

To be an integral member of the association sales team to promote London to the international, non for profit, member based associations sector, and some corporates, as required. Identifying and targeting potential congresses to bid for and ultimately host in London, which contributes to the economic benefit of the city and L&P’s targets. Working closely with stakeholders and L&P to improve London’s offering to attract international events to the city. The role involves some overseas travel.

Key Tasks

• Research potential opportunities of international congresses/event that London can bid for, ensuring suitability for the city.
• Working with key stakeholders, including London’s venues, hotels and tourism partners to build the bid and London’s proposition. 
• Strong creative ability to produce bids that engage clients and reflect London’s brand. 
• Contribute to the development, implementation and delivery of the annual business sales & marketing plan and company vision.
• To develop a portfolio of assigned key accounts and congress organizer accounts to develop and retain
• Assist with managing new enquiries by telephone, email and website, in conjunction with the Associations Sales team.
• Manage enquiry follow up to conversion, including site inspection facilitation/visits if required.
• Maintain the Salesforce Account management system with regards to accuracy of data.
• Research potential leads for pipelines from ICCA, Trade magazines and relevant partners.
• Work with the Head of Associations in the organization and implementation of external research projects to develop new business and international Congress leads.
• Assist with larger citywide bid documents including housing and managing the charter contact relationships and education
• Manage the Associations data for ICCA ranking.
• Research, organise and deliver sales missions or individual sales appointments with or without partners and as per outlined sales objectives.
• Proactively research and source new leads by telephone, email and website, from start up to conversion, including site inspection facilitation/visits if required
• Attend trade shows as required in order to manage incoming enquiries, including the follow up and communication post activity
• To identify potential clients for Hosted Buyers programmes, sales missions and familiarization events
• Project management for Association client events, partner events and potential sales missions
• To actively participate with Team Association partners meeting/Charter meetings
• To take an active project management role in identifying, recruiting and managing suitable ambassadors for the London Ambassador programme and/or advisory board.
• Any other reasonable duties as allocated by the line manager, eg competitor knowledge and analysis.
• To assist with budget management
• To lead on large bid production
• To lead on event management and other project-based team initiatives.
• Day to day finance administration: raising purchase orders & invoices.

Key Relationships:

• International/European association clients/intermediaries
• L&P business tourism team
• L&P Business marketing, PR, Events/Exhibitions teams
• Trade Associations ie ICCA, ABPCO, INCON, UIA, Association Execs
• L&P Partners

You’ll have/bring

• Previous sales experience in the business tourism sector or hotels/venues.
• Working in a sales target environment
• Key client account management
• Good knowledge of the London business tourism product
• Working knowledge of budgets/financial targets
• Experience of managing contacts within a database 
• Proven track record in account management relationship skills
• Sales and presentation experience
• Research / proactive telesales tenacity
• Knowledge of International/European Association sector
• Excellent knowledge of the London venue/hotel product and market
• Experience of working in venues/cvb’s to middle management level
• Excellent communication skills –verbal & written
• Excellent administration/strong attention to detail
• Computer literate – Microsoft Office products Word and Excel & PowerPoint
• Marketing and PR knowledge 
• Relationship builder, tenacious/can make it happen
• Experience selling destinations and working with the convention bureau (desirable)

You’ll Get

• To join a fast paced, flexible and inclusive social enterprise
• Hybrid working environment
• 30 days’ holiday in addition to UK public holidays 
• Excellent employer pension contribution and Medical Cash Plan

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

London\\\'s diversity is its biggest asset. At London & Partners, we aim to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the city that we promote. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or assignment, faith or disability. We also appreciate that many people require flexibility in their working patterns and encourage you to talk to us at interview about any flexibility you may need, be it full-time, job-share, or part-time.

We encourage applications from all sections of the community.