Event Business Development Manager

Peoplebank; Southall; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development & growth

Discounts & perks for employees

Refer a Friend bonus

Interest-free season ticket loans

Job summary

Thistle Heathrow is seeking a proactive Event Business Development Manager to drive Meetings, Events & Groups demand. Based at the hotel, you will develop new business, nurture relationships with corporate clients, agencies and partners, and collaborate with Sales, Meetings & Events, Revenue and operations teams across Heathrow and the wider market.

You will identify opportunities, build a strong pipeline, and convert leads through client appointments, calls, and site visits while keeping

Qualifications

• Experience in Meetings & Events sales or hotel sales.
• Proven track record of generating new business and building a pipeline.
• Strong knowledge of how clients, agencies and event planners source and book venues.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identifying and developing new Meetings, Events & Groups business for Thistle Heathrow.
• Building strong relationships with local and regional businesses, corporate clients, agencies, intermediaries, event planners and other partners.
• Creating and maintaining a targeted new business pipeline for meaningful hotel revenue.
• Understanding Heathrow and local market to spot opportunities for the hotel.
• Handling client meetings, site visits, proposals and opportunities through to closure.
• Working with hotel teams to ensure proposals are competitive and aligned with strategy.
• Recording activity and forecasting in Salesforce and providing regular updates.

Skills

Meetings & Events sales

Hotel sales

Business development

CRM (Salesforce)

Relationship building

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Located close to Longford, just off the Bath Road, Thistle Heathrow is an Airport hotel which delivers a warm welcome no matter how long or short the stay. It has 264 bedrooms and 14 meeting rooms, the largest one seating up to 700 people - meaning it is also an extremely popular local wedding venue. It is the only hotel that has direct access to Heathrow Terminal 5 by POD in just 5 minutes.

At Thistle Hotels, extraordinary hospitality starts with bringing people together – and at Thistle Heathrow, we want to make every meeting, event and group experience one to remember. We’re looking for a proactive, commercially minded Event Business Development Manager to join our team at Thistle Heathrow, with a clear focus on finding new business, building valuable relationships and growing our Meetings, Events & Groups revenue.

This is a role for someone who loves getting out into the market, opening doors and turning conversations into opportunities. You’ll be based at the hotel, working closely with our Sales, Meetings & Events, Revenue and operational teams, while building relationships with businesses, agencies, event planners and partners across Heathrow and the wider market.

You’ll know what’s happening locally, understand where the opportunities are and make sure Thistle Heathrow is front of mind when clients are looking for their next meeting, event or group stay.

What you’ll be doing

Your focus will be on proactive business development - identifying new opportunities, developing relationships and creating a strong pipeline of Meetings, Events & Groups business for the hotel.

• Proactively identifying and developing new Meetings, Events & Groups business for Thistle Heathrow
• Building strong relationships with local and regional businesses, corporate clients, agencies, intermediaries, event planners and other potential partners
• Creating and maintaining a targeted new business pipeline, identifying organisations and sectors with the potential to generate meaningful revenue for the hotel
• Understanding the Heathrow and wider local business landscape, identifying new developments, businesses, events and market activity that could create opportunities for the hotel
• Building meaningful relationships with key decision makers and influencers, understanding how they buy and what matters most when choosing a hotel or event venue
• Generating qualified leads and enquiries and working closely with the hotel team to ensure opportunities are followed through and converted
• Conducting proactive sales activity including client appointments, sales calls, networking, prospecting, presentations and site visits
• Showcasing the hotel to prospective clients, bringing our meeting and event spaces, bedrooms and wider guest experience to life
• Growing existing local relationships by identifying additional opportunities across meetings, events, groups, accommodation and other areas of the hotel
• Supporting client familiarisation visits, showcases, networking events and other activities designed to introduce new customers to Thistle Heathrow
• Working closely with Meetings & Events, Revenue and operational teams to ensure proposals are commercially competitive and aligned with hotel strategy
• Monitoring competitor activity and Meetings & Events trends, sharing useful market intelligence and identifying opportunities for us to stand out
• Using Salesforce consistently to record activity, manage opportunities, maintain accurate client information and provide visibility of the sales pipeline
• Providing regular updates and forecasts on sales activity, pipeline, conversion and future revenue opportunities
• Representing Thistle Heathrow at relevant local business events, networking opportunities, trade shows and industry events
• Working collaboratively with the wider Thistle and Clermont Hotel Group Sales teams to identify opportunities and ensure leads are shared across the business where appropriate

You’ll be someone who gets energy from developing new relationships and creating opportunities. You won’t wait for the phone to ring – you’ll be curious about what’s happening in the market and confident approaching new clients and introducing them to what Thistle Heathrow can offer.

What you'll bring

• Experience in Meetings & Events sales, hotel sales or business development, ideally within hospitality or a similarly fast-paced environment
• A proven track record of generating new business and developing a healthy sales pipeline
• Strong knowledge of the Meetings, Events & Groups market and how clients, agencies and event planners source and book venues
• A proactive approach to prospecting and new business development, with the confidence to open doors and build relationships from the ground up
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how sales activity translates into revenue for the hotel
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with the confidence to engage with clients at different levels
• The ability to understand a client's needs and translate them into an experience that works for both the customer and the hotel
• Strong organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple leads, clients and opportunities
• Experience using a CRM system such as Salesforce to manage activity and pipeline
• A collaborative approach – you’ll enjoy working closely with hotel teams to turn opportunities into confirmed business
• A bold, adaptable and real approach – comfortable trying new things, responding to changing market conditions and spotting opportunities others might miss

Most importantly, you’ll be a people person with a genuine passion for sales. Someone who enjoys making connections, building trust and seeing a relationship develop from that first conversation into a successful event or long-term partnership.

What you’ll get in return

As well as all the things you'd expect from us, such as great staff areas to recharge in, wholesome meals on duty, pension and healthcare schemes, we’ll take care of you at every step of your journey so that you can take care of our guests.

In fact, we’re so committed to this that our ‘People Promise’ sets out how you can expect us to support you at every step of your application and your career with us. Whether that’s your career development and progression, your physical, mental or financial wellbeing, and recognising (and rewarding!) a job well done.

Career Development & Growth - We’re here to support your journey, whatever that may look like. Our award-winning Academy will help you navigate your tailored career pathway with the tools and development designed for you to grow and to unlock your unique potential.

Financial Wellbeing – You work hard, so we’ll always help your money work hard for you! Some of the great things you can take advantage of include:

• Wage Stream – You’ll be paid monthly, but have access to your earned salary before payday should you need it
• Discounts & Perks – Savings on 1000’s of retailers, dining, hotel stays, and much more for you and those close to you
• Refer a Friend – Earn up to £1000 when friends join our team
• Interest-Free Loans – Season ticket loans to make commuting easier

Mental & Physical Well-being - We’re here to support your well-being, whenever and wherever you need it.

• On-Site Mental Health First Aiders
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Line – Free, confidential advice
• Be Well Platform – Our Online fitness and wellness resources
• Gym Discounts & Cycle to Work Scheme

Recognition & Community – We’re proud of everything we achieve, so we always celebrate our extraordinary team and culture.

• ‘Wonderful People’ Awards – Monthly, quarterly, and annual recognition
• Social & Seasonal Events – Fun, inclusive celebrations
• People Council – A platform for every voice
• Paid Volunteering Days – Give back to causes close to you

At Clermont Hotel Group everyone is welcome. We are committed to having an inclusive and diverse workplace and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds, identities and experiences to apply for roles with us.