German speaking Business Development Manager - Events & Exhibitions

The Language Business; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Commission-based earnings

Job summary

The Language Business is looking for a German-speaking Business Development Manager to drive exhibition and sponsorship sales for our Zurich event, targeting exhibitors and sponsors across Europe. The role blends new business development with account management in a hybrid London-based setup.

The successful candidate will work with structured sales training, a 40% commission scheme (OTE around £50,000), and a probation period with a salary increase to £36,000 after six months.

Qualifications

• Fluent in German.
• University degree level education.
• Sales experience in any sector is an advantage but not essential; structured sales training is provided.
• Strong competitive drive to succeed in sales.
• Exposure to international events and markets is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Sell exhibition and sponsorship opportunities.
• Build commercial relationships with senior decision-makers.
• Identify new business opportunities.
• Manage full sales cycles for sponsorship or commercial deals.
• Build and maintain relationships with mid-level stakeholders.
• Prepare tailored proposals and contracts.
• Maintain up-to-date records in Salesforce and other tools.
• Provide accurate sales forecasts.
• Participate in planning and feedback with internal teams.

Skills

German language

Sales skills

Achievement driven

International exposure

Education

University degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

German speaking Business Development Manager

Languages: German & English

Location

Hybrid — Central London (4 days in the office, 1 day from home)

The Company

Our client is a global events and exhibitions company, organising some of Europe's most exciting shows. They're expanding their European sales team and looking for a driven, German speaking Business Development Manager to help grow their presence across the continent.

The Job

As a German speaking Business Development Manager, your role will be to develop sales of their event in Zurich, Switzerland, to exhibitors and sponsors. Your clients will be a mix of previous exhibitors and new prospects you research and approach yourself. The role offers a good balance of new business development and account management.

Typical job responsibilities include:

• Sell exhibition and sponsorship opportunities
• Build commercial relationships with senior decision-makers
• Identify new business opportunities
• Manage full sales cycles for sponsorship or commercial deals
• Build and maintain relationships with mid-level stakeholders
• Prepare tailored proposals and contracts
• Maintain up-to-date records in Salesforce and other tools
• Provide accurate sales forecasts
• Participate in planning and feedback with internal teams

Candidate profile

• Fluent in German
• Educated to university degree level — any subject
• Previous sales experience in any sector is an advantage but not essential — no B2B events experience required, as structured sales training is provided
• A strong competitive desire to succeed in sales — personality is key
• Exposure to international events and markets is an advantage but not essential

Salary & Working hours

£30,000–£33,000 basic + 40% commission (OTE c. £50,000). After a 6-month probation, basic salary increases to £36,000.

Monday–Thursday office-based, 9:00am–5:30pm. Friday remote working from home, 9:00am–1:00pm.