Business Development Executive

Sawday's Canopy & Stars; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 28,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading travel company in Bristol is seeking a Part-Time Business Development Executive. This role involves identifying and forming partnerships for dog-friendly properties. Candidates should have a sales background, excellent communication skills, and be able to thrive in a collaborative environment. The position allows for remote work with some in-office attendance. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year

Employee-owned company profit share

Company pension scheme

Up to 20% discount on breaks

Wellbeing initiatives

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sales or business development, with a record of meeting or exceeding targets.
• Experience working within a small, growing business or start‑up environment.
• Able to handle multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess and propose new dog‑friendly properties and partnerships.
• Generate new business opportunities using B2B sales techniques.
• Craft personalised communication to property owners.
• Build initial strong, trusting relationships with property owners.

Skills

Sales experience

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Ability to build relationships

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Suite

Trello

Job description

A bit about us

The Sawday’s group is a collection of travel brands all centred on a passion for special places to stay. Since 2017, the company has been 52% employee‑owned, with the rest made up of a Charitable Trust and the founding family. We’re proud to be B Corp certified and recognised by them as one of the top 5% places in the world for employees.

We are leaders in sustainable and ethical travel, and every team in our business plays a vital role in achieving our impact goals. Our Impact Report outlines our five‑year strategy and annual objectives, which form the foundation of our company‑wide approach. These goals drive every decision we make, and we expect all team members to contribute to their success as part of our shared mission.

This role involves working for Paws & Stay, the UK’s only dog‑first travel website, created by animal lovers to take the frustration out of finding genuinely dog‑friendly places to stay. It’s run on the same solid principles, but with a focus on dogs in everything from the places chosen to the walks and pubs recommended.

Your role – Business Development Executive

Calling all dog lovers! We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven Part‑Time Business Development Executive to join our friendly, dog‑filled company and help us discover even more of our “special places”. If you’re ambitious, hands‑on, and have a sharp eye for quality, dog‑friendly and detail, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and is looking for a flexible, meaningful role with a purpose‑led company. Ideally you will be able to commute to our Bristol office at least once a month, however this is a remote role.

As our Business Development Executive, you’ll play a key role in identifying and developing new property partnerships for our collection. You’ll be the first point of contact for many of our property owners, helping to build meaningful, long‑term relationships while contributing to our continued growth.

Reports to

Senior Business Development Executive

Works closely with

Operations & Account Manager
Commercial Manager
Marketing team
Guest Experience Team

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Identify, assess and propose new dog‑friendly properties and partnerships to the Senior Business Development Executive
• Generate new business opportunities using a range of B2B sales techniques
• Research new dog‑friendly properties using digital platforms and conduct outbound lead generation to qualify and manage leads through the sales funnel
• Craft personalised communication to property owners to generate new interest in joining our collection
• Build initial strong, trusting relationships with property owners, ensuring they receive an outstanding experience from first contact
• Work closely with the Senior Business Development Executive to convert leads and hand over professionally
• Sustainability & Ethics Guardianship: We are leaders in sustainable and ethical travel, and every team in our business plays a vital role in achieving our impact goals. Our Impact Report outlines our five‑year strategy and annual objectives, which form the foundation of our company‑wide approach. In this role, you’ll be responsible for considering these goals with every decision we make as a business, whilst supporting initiatives which contribute to the success of our shared mission

Necessary

• Proven experience in sales or business development, with a record of meeting or exceeding targets
• Experience working within a small, growing business or start‑up environment
• Able to handle multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines in a dynamic but supportive environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Able to build relationships naturally with a diverse range of property owners

Desirable

• A team player with a collaborative spirit who brings clarity, motivation and energy
• Experience with using systems such as Salesforce or similar CRM, Trello and Microsoft Suite
• Ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of, or empathy with, the needs of dog owners when travelling. If you are a dog owner, that’s just a bonus!

Salary & Benefits

• £28,000 FTE, pro rata, per annum
• Part‑time role 20 hours a week (flexible working pattern available)
• 26 days holiday per year + bank holidays (pro rata)
• Employee‑owned company: after your introductory period, you will be eligible to a share of any dividends
• Company pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions at 4%, and an optional salary sacrifice scheme.
• £290 annual stay credit for our special places (pro rata)
• 20% on UK Canopy & Stars breaks (+10% family & friends)
• 15% on EU Canopy & Stars breaks
• 15% on Paws & Stay breaks (+10% family & friends)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• 1 volunteering day per year
• 15 wellbeing hours per year (pro rata)
• “Climate Journey Day” policy: earn up to 2 paid days to travel using low‑carbon transport
• Vibrant harbourside office – colourful, creative, and very dog‑friendly
• Social and wellbeing events throughout the year
• DEIBA Team driving inclusion and diversity initiatives

Applications

• Applicants need to be within a commutable distance of Bristol for in‑office working
• Closing date for applications: 27 November 2025

Our Behaviours and Values

How we work is just as important as the success we achieve at Sawday’s. During your time with us, you will be expected to treasure, protect, and embody our behaviours and values every day.

We celebrate quirkiness and difference

• We dance to the beat of our own drum
• We encourage curiosity and creativity
• We champion individuality and the “special”

We follow head and heart

• We’re solidly commercial while remaining flexible and human
• We act with empathy, generosity, and integrity
• We make long‑term, ethical decisions

We do important things brilliantly

• We use business as a force for social, environmental, and economic good
• We’re committed to our craft and purpose
• We play our part in sustaining a happy, healthy world

We bring positive energy

• We foster togetherness and team spirit
• We delight and empower others
• We’re driven to learn, grow and contribute

Finally

We place a strong emphasis on ethics, people and the environment and it is important to us that you understand, strongly identify with, and are able to develop the company ethos.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and an inclusive company, where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued and where everyone can bring their full, authentic selves to work.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we offer a guaranteed interview to any disabled candidate who meets all the ‘Necessary’ skills listed above and is a commutable distance from the office.

If you need any further assistance with your application, or require the application form in a different format, please email Charlotte on [e-mail] or call 0117 204 7828.