Business Development Manager - Association Congresses & Conventions

TN United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agency in London seeks a Business Development Manager for Association Congresses & Conventions. This role focuses on attracting international events, requiring strong research and business development skills. Join a dynamic team to promote London as a premier destination for global events. The position offers a hybrid working environment and excellent benefits, including 30 days of holiday and a strong pension contribution.

Benefits

30 days’ holiday plus UK public holidays

Excellent pension contribution

Medical Cash Plan

Qualifications

• Previous sales experience in the business tourism sector or hotels/venues.
• Experience working in a sales target environment.
• Good knowledge of the London business tourism product.

Responsibilities

• Research potential opportunities of international congresses/events.
• Work with key stakeholders to build bids for events in London.
• Manage enquiry follow-up to conversion, including site inspections.

Skills

Sales

Account Management

Research

Relationship Management

Presentation

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Business Development Manager - Association Congresses & Conventions, London

Client:

London and Partners

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

b2b6a412c06d

Job Views:

3

Posted:

15.05.2025

Expiry Date:

29.06.2025

Job Description:

Description

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 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-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/events that London can bid for, ensuring suitability for the city.
• Work 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.
• 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 data accuracy.
• Research potential leads from ICCA, trade magazines, and relevant partners.
• Work with the Head of Associations on 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, organize, 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 to manage incoming inquiries, including follow-up and post-activity communication.
• Identify potential clients for Hosted Buyers programmes, sales missions, and familiarization events.
• Project management for Association client events, partner events, and potential sales missions.
• Participate in Team Association partners meetings/Charter meetings.
• Take an active project management role in recruiting and managing suitable ambassadors for the London Ambassador programme and/or advisory board.
• Perform other duties as allocated by the line manager, such as competitor analysis.
• Assist with budget management.
• Lead on large bid production.
• Lead on event management and other project-based team initiatives.
• Manage day-to-day finance tasks: 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 such as ICCA, ABPCO, INCON, UIA, Association Execs
• L&P Partners

You’ll have/bring

• Previous sales experience in the business tourism sector or hotels/venues.
• Experience working in a sales target environment
• Key client account management skills
• Good knowledge of the London business tourism product
• Working knowledge of budgets/financial targets
• Experience managing contacts within a database
• Proven relationship management skills
• Sales and presentation experience
• Knowledge of International/European Association sector
• Excellent knowledge of the London venue/hotel market
• Experience working with venues/CVBs at middle management level
• Excellent administration and attention to detail
• Computer literacy: Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Marketing and PR knowledge
• Relationship builder, tenacious, proactive
• Experience selling destinations and working with the convention bureau (desirable)

You’ll Get

• Join a fast-paced, flexible, and inclusive social enterprise
• Hybrid working environment
• 30 days’ holiday plus UK public holidays
• Excellent pension contribution and Medical Cash Plan

Note: Due to high application volume, we may close vacancies early. Please apply promptly. We value diversity and encourage applications from all community sections, offering flexible working options. London & Partners aims to reflect London's diversity and promote inclusivity.