Business Development Executive

Travel Trade Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Travel for office days

Training and development

Job summary

Travel Trade Recruitment is seeking a Business Development Executive to identify and win new corporate travel opportunities. The role is active, consultative, and focused on prospecting, direct conversations with decision-makers, and building a robust pipeline.

You’ll operate in a hybrid setup in Manchester or remotely depending on location, with clear targets, ongoing training and a supportive Corporate Development team behind you.

Qualifications

• Experience in sales or business development is preferred.
• Proactive, outgoing and target-driven mindset.
• Comfortable speaking with decision makers and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to build relationships without hard-sell pressure.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify prospective corporate clients.
• Proactively approach businesses and decision makers.
• Build relationships and generate new business opportunities.
• Understand prospects' travel arrangements and requirements.
• Qualify opportunities and arrange high-quality meetings.
• Manage your own pipeline and follow up consistently.
• Keep accurate records and activity on the CRM.
• Work closely with Corporate Development and Client Relations teams.
• Develop knowledge of corporate travel and the wider product offering.

Skills

Phone prospecting

Relationship building

Hunter mindset

Target driven

Communication at all levels

Tools

CRM

Job description

Business Development Executive - Corporate Travel

Salary: £28,000 basic, OTE: £50,000+

Full-time

Manchester/Hybrid or Fully Remote (depending on location)

We're looking for a Business Development Executive to join an established Corporate Development team, focusing on identifying and developing new corporate travel opportunities.

This is a true new-business role - you won't be waiting for leads to land in your inbox. You'll research prospective clients, speak directly with decision makers, understand their travel requirements and create quality opportunities for the wider Corporate Development team.

The Role as a Business Development Executive

• Research and identify prospective corporate clients
• Proactively approach businesses and decision makers
• Build relationships and generate new business opportunities
• Understand prospects' existing travel arrangements and requirements
• Qualify opportunities and arrange high-quality meetings
• Manage your own pipeline and follow up consistently
• Keep accurate records and activity on the CRM
• Work closely with Corporate Development and Client Relations teams
• Develop your knowledge of corporate travel and the wider product offering

Quality is key. This role isn't simply about making calls or filling diaries. You'll be expected to identify genuine opportunities with the right business profile, appropriate decision makers and a clear reason for the prospect to review their current travel arrangements.

As a Business Development Executive, we're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys speaking with new people and is comfortable picking up the phone
• Has a natural curiosity and a strong commercial mindset
• Is confident, resilient and doesn't get discouraged by a "no"
• Knows how to build relationships without being overly sales-focused
• Is organised, proactive and great at keeping on top of follow-ups
• Is motivated by targets and enjoys seeing tangible results from their efforts
• Communicates confidently and professionally at all levels
• Is keen to develop a long-term career within corporate sales and business development

Previous experience in sales, business development or another proactive customer-facing environment would be beneficial, but attitude, drive and ability are equally important.

What's On Offer as a Business Development Executive?

• £28,000 - £34,000 basic salary
• OTE of around £50,000, with £55,000+ achievable for strong performers
• Full-time, hybrid working (or fully remote depending on location)
• Travel support for required office days
• Training, coaching and ongoing development
• Opportunity to build a career within corporate travel and new-business sales

If you enjoy starting conversations, creating opportunities and turning new relationships into commercial results, this could be an excellent opportunity to take your sales career to the next level.