Business Development Manager - Conference and Events

Job Introduction

We are proud to work with Centerplate, a Sodexo company, where we create bespoke hospitality experiences for premier events and gathering places across the United Kingdom. Our unique approach to hospitality makes the time people spend together more enjoyable, and more valuable. For more than 85 years, we have welcomed people to the moments that matter with award-winning hospitality, exceptional service, and one-of-a-kind guest experiences.

We partner with the ACC Liverpool Group where a variety of national and international conferences; public and trade exhibitions and entertainment events are held.

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to join our amazing team where you will support the long-term sales strategy in line with the overall strategic business goals. Your focus will be to accurately forecast and manage all business revenue streams and maximise new business opportunities. Working with ACC Liverpool and Sodexo Live! Senior Management, Sales and Operational teams you will increase sales opportunities and thereby maximise revenue, ensuring full support is given to the Head of Account Management in effective delivery of all sales and event planning.

You will be passionate about food and hospitality and be able to bring to life our catering offer to customers in order to give them the best experience possible.

You will be a strong influencer with excellent negotiation skills,  able to creatively source and target new clients whilst delivering excellent customer service and promoting us as the catering partner.

Role Responsibility

What you’ll do:

• Work closely with the ACC Liverpool Sales Director and sales team to secure new business and maximise the catering revenue
• Think creatively and contribute ideas for the sales and marketing plan of ACC Liverpool and Centerplate UK
• Keep up to date with new market innovations and any strengths and weaknesses of venue competitors
• Keeping ahead of industry insight and competitor activity within conference and exhibition sectors and wider catering innovations
• Attend external events, both local and national with the purpose of selling, networking, gathering sales prospects and representing ACC Liverpool & Centerplate UK
• Consistently delivery and exceed sales targets and KPI’s
• Attend client meetings during the sales process to establish relationship and ensure full understanding of their needs

For a full list please review the attached job description

The Ideal Candidate

What you bring:

• Proven track record in delivering growth and exceeding sales targets in a related industry/role.
• Strong negotiator and influencer.
• Creative, energetic and target driven.
• Outstanding customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to creatively source and target new clients.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Organised, able to multi-task, ability to manage workload and work to deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal English skills.
• Proficient in PowerPoint, Excel & Microsoft Office.
• Significant experience in similar role, industry experience

Package Description

£40,000pa - £45,000pa dependent on exp + excellent bonus & benefits

Location: ACC Liverpool , Kings Dock, L34 (but you will be out and about!)

Permanent

Work Pattern –40 hrs pw 5/7 to include evenings, weekends and all match days

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:

• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Access to ongoing training and development programs
• Countless opportunities to grow within the company
• Full training

We also offer Sodexo Discounts site promoting discounted mobile phone tariffs, savings across restaurant chains and days out, where you and your family can save money on everything from your weekly food shop to the latest cinema blockbuster and much more!

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs around 30,000 people, and partners with clients in many sectors across business and industry; schools and universities; sports and leisure; energy and resources; government and agencies; healthcare; justice and defence.

Sodexo’s connected; people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise. The breadth of services it offers ranges from food and hospitality; cleaning; reception; concierge (Circles); security; property management and technical services through to data driven workplace strategy and design (Wx); employee engagement and recognition services (Sodexo Engage) and personal home services through Prestige Nursing + Care and the Good Care Group.

Vital Spaces is Sodexo’s value proposition that puts people at the heart of everything we do, bringing together services and solutions and focusing on the productivity and wellbeing of people wherever they are.

Sodexo is committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process