Job title: Business Development Manager
Salary: £40,221 - £43,421 pro rata
Hours: 32
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid working with the office based at Merrion House
Leeds is one of the UK’s top ten conference destinations which welcomes millions of delegates every year. With an unrivalled location in the centre of the UK, a diverse portfolio of conference venues and award-winning delegate experiences, it is easy to understand why the city is a popular choice amongst conference organisers. But Leeds is a city that doesn’t stand still, which is why we are looking for an experienced professional who can help support and drive forward the development of city’s meeting and event sector and ensuring that Conference Leeds as the official conference bureau for the city is the ‘go to’ resource for all conference organisers who are considering bringing their next event to the city.
As Business Development Manager, you will become part of the fast paced and innovative Destination Marketing and International Relations Team representing the city at a regional, national and international level.
You will be required to work in a creative manner that drives forward a pipeline of conferencing business for the city whilst helping to position Leeds as a destination at the forefront of UK’s meeting and events sector. You will have an ability to successfully develop and manage a variety of relationships, working closely with colleagues, partners, and key stakeholders to ensure that all opportunities presented are capitalised upon.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our and ambitions.
About you
As Business Development Manager, you will bring to the role:
Experience of working within a commercial sales environment, developing pipelines, targets and the successful delivery of KPIs and performance measurements.
A track record of generating new business leads and converting new enquiries to sales successes.
Ability to work to tight deadlines and deploy internal and external resources effectively.
Ability to communicate effectively, responding appropriately to target audience.
Ability to build and maintain positive, professional relationships with local, regional and national partners and stakeholders at all levels.
About the role
This exciting and diverse role will be pivotal in contributing to the future success of the visitor economy in Leeds. You will be joining a small, highly motivated, and high-performing team – a team committed to showcasing Leeds as a leading UK conference destination.
As Business Development Officer, working on behalf of the city and our partners, you will be responsible for delivering a proactive research and sales strategy to generate and convert national and international association conference, meetings, incentives, event and exhibition, (MICE) leads into confirmed business placed in Leeds.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job description
Job purpose
As Business Development Manager you will work seamlessly within a team of professionals to support the implementation and delivery of the Conference Leeds proactive research and sales strategy to generate and convert national and international association conference, meetings, incentives, event and exhibition, (MICE) leads to confirmed business placed in Leeds.
The role will play a central part of the marketing of the city’s conferencing proposition as well as ensuring that Leeds is packaged and sold more effectively to attract business and leisure visits by working with the travel trade in target national and international markets.
Responsibilities:
Support the development, implementation and delivery of a proactive strategy that in particular attracts sizeable national and international association conference business and positions Leeds as a world class conference, event, exhibition, incentives and visitor economy destination.
Develop and maintain a proactive research and resultant bid strategy and pipeline targets that identify MICE business which have a ‘natural fit’ with the target visitor economy and inward investment sectors and key geographical markets for Leeds.
Research and optimise market research and intelligence to identify and target leads with support from the wider Conference Leeds team. Combine with direct travel trade sales to augment the offering, driving the Leeds hub and spoke and itinerary based packages to maximise ROI.
Generate and convert new regional, national and international MICE business leads for Leeds in partnership with sales teams of relevant key product and stakeholders in the city and where appropriate across the region.
Develop targeted annual sales mission plans to budget, aligned to key markets and sectors.
Attend key national and international industry exhibitions, events and sales missions to raise the profile of Leeds as a destination and promote the sales function of the Conference Leeds team.
Combine travel trade and leisure visitor economy sales as and when required, adapting the offering to target audiences and maximising return on investment.
Attend destination and industry forums, to establish and develop a leading position for Leeds as a destination and as a leading organisation within this industry, whilst also maintaining awareness of competitor developments.
Identify and deliver commercial relationships with other stakeholders where there is a mutual benefit to deliver MICE and travel trade business.
Assist with the visitor economy stakeholder engagement programme, leveraging relationships to facilitate a collaborative approach in conferencing city proposition delivery. Drive sponsorship, match funding and promotional content support from stakeholders to facilitate delivery of visitor economy national and international campaigns.
To regularly update and formally report to the Visitor Economy Manager on enquiries/projects/successes. Assist with performance measurement of sales activity in line with KPIs and inform commercial partners and key stakeholders on ROI.
To work with the Marketing and communications manager to promote Leeds as a leading conference destination through the delivery of effective marketing and PR campaigns.
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post.
Work within all relevant policies, procedures and systems established corporately by the council or locally by the service and, in particular, support the council’s equal opportunities policies.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications
A degree or degree level professional qualification in a related subject or can demonstrate relevant experience of at least 3 years at an equivalent level in an organisation, directly employing a significant number of staff engaged in a variety of operations.
Essential requirements
It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of the leisure and business product in Leeds and an understanding of the Leeds Visitor Economy Service
Detailed knowledge and understanding of the MICE industry within relevant regional, national and international target markets
Experience of working within a commercial sales environment, developing pipelines, targets and the successful delivery of KPIs and performance measurements.
Experience of competitive bid tendering experience within a MICE environment.
A track record of generating new business leads and converting new enquiries to sales successes.
Knowledge of up-to-date sales channels and techniques.
Ability to build and maintain positive, professional relationships with local, regional and national partners and stakeholders at all levels.
Experience of successful attendance at relevant sales missions, exhibitions and events.
Ability to work at a regional, national and international level.
Ability to develop and adapt relevant sales toolkits, bidding, winning and delivery of large association conference business.
Ability to adopt an innovative and creative approach to requirements of the role.
Ability to communicate effectively, responding appropriately to target audience.
Ability to work to tight deadlines and deploy internal and external resources effectively.
Understanding of corporate work priorities and ability to demonstrate a proactive, flexible and targeted approach to developing and acting upon sales opportunities.
Ability to plan and organise own work in a demanding environment.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
Flexible attitude to work, with an ability to work and travel at a local, national and international level where appropriate, as well as some evening and weekend work.
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements
It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Product and sector knowledge of Leeds and the City Region and wider UK offer. Apply for this job
