Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying, approaching, and securing new clients and projects on behalf of the company.

The Business Development Manager ensures that the type of clients and projects pursued and won align with the strategy of the business and its commercial and creative objectives.

The Business Development Manager strengthens the reputation of the business by delivering the right first impression to clients and peers and demonstrates best practice processes and a professional attitude.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, target, and approach new clients and projects, based on the strategy and objectives of the business

• Contribute to the strategy with informed suggestions and opportunities for growth and diversification

• Hit personal targets as well as contribute to the business successfully reaching its annual targets

• Take over inbound and reactive leads and convert them into sales

• Build and maintain a healthy and accurate pipeline

• Provide clear, transparent, and regular updates (weekly and monthly) on the status of each lead to General Manager (and occasionally to the group BD and the Board), escalating any challenges through the proper channels.

• Drive the pitch process with the full responsibility of submitting/presenting a complete proposal based on the client's requirements and assuring creative, operations and finance teams have provided accurate input, respecting deadlines.

• Provide guidance and support to other team members to make sure that their strengths are highlighted and weaknesses supported.

• Once projects are awarded: ensure full comprehensive handover to the project team while providing full support on the client relations

• Lead pitch presentations to clients in a way that presents the work of the business in the best possible light

• Oversee the commercial viability of pitch budgets that comply to the business’ targets and protect the required net and gross revenue % targets

• Represent the business in a professional manner that supports the company values at client and industry events, among others. Maintaining healthy and ethical relations keeping the company’s interests as priority

• Strengthen the profile, reputation and reach of the company through business development and marketing activities

• Interrogate and fully understand client briefs and objectives in order to convey the right success measures to the wider pitch team

• Attend business development group level workshops; share leads, best practices, and contribute to business development activities of all the brands of the group.

Qualifications

• At least 5-6 years of experience in business development in the events agency side with experiential and multi- disciplinary projects.

• Middle East regional experience

• Experience in large-scale events, government events and festivals is essential

• Maintaining existing client relationships

• Proven track record in achieving the target

• Specific experience of delivering best-in-class pitches to global brand clients

• Demonstrable success in creating and growing relationships with commercial results

• Financially literate with experience in maintaining accurate commercial data and reporting