Business Development Manager

Department: Sales

Location: Brighton

Description

As Business Development Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success of our global summits, digital media and intelligence products. You’ll sell high-value strategic partnership programmes to forge innovation and sustainability across the agri-food-tech ecosystem.

The role would suit someone who thrives on winning new business and is driven to exceed personal targets while playing a pivotal role in achieving overall team commercial goals. You will make an impact on the global agriculture, food and nutrition communities, ensuring our clients achieve maximum ROI and long-term partnerships are fostered to contribute to the long-term growth of our communities.

What You’ll Be Doing

Commercial Growth & Sales Leadership

• Driving new business development through proactive outreach and consultative selling, as well as developing existing accounts
• Achieving and exceeding sponsorship revenue targets across multiple integrated partnerships programmes spanning events and digital media

Strategic Account Management

• Building and nurturing high-value long-term relationships with C-Suite executives and global brands to create account plans that maximise commercial opportunities
• Understanding client objectives and delivering tailored solutions that address specific challenges to drive ROI and renewals

Market Intelligence & Collaboration

• Staying ahead of trends in agri-tech, food-tech, and sustainability, and maintaining a deep understanding of the markets and competitor events
• Collaborating cross-functionally with production and marketing to craft compelling propositions
• Position William Reed as a strategic growth partner and represent the global brands at international conferences, supporting sponsors and driving renewals
  
  

What You’ll Need

• Proven track record in B2B sales, ideally in business development and within conferences or media selling multiple products
• Track record of new business acquisition and revenue generation
• Experience closing deals with and influencing senior stakeholders
• Strong commercial acumen and a strategic mindset to understand client objectives, ROI and marketing effectiveness
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• A proactive, driven approach in fast-paced, target-led environments
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms
• Ability to speak additional languages, especially Portuguese, would be highly advantageous
• Flexibility in working hours and a willingness to travel internationally for events
  
  

Benefits & Initiatives

• 6.6 weeks of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time). The equivalent to 25 days plus standard England and Wales bank holidays for full-time colleagues
• One additional day holiday per year after 6 years’ service, up to a maximum 7.6 weeks of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time). The equivalent to 30 days plus standard England and Wales bank holidays for full-time colleagues
• A holiday purchase scheme, allowing employees to purchase up to 3 additional days of annual leave and spread the cost over up to 6 months
• An additional day of paid leave, a ‘MeDay’, allowing you the flexibility to celebrate a cultural or religious event or your birthday. It recognises that everyone’s background is unique and gives you the freedom to mark what matters to you.
• One paid volunteering day per year to support a charity or community initiative of your choice
• Hybrid and agile working opportunities (role dependent)
• Enhanced Pension Contributions, we offer employer pension contributions above the statutory minimum
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Group Income Protection
• Enhanced family-friendly leave pay entitlements
• Wellbeing benefits, including: A health care cash plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Virtual GP service and access to health & wellbeing resources and tools
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, supported by employee-led networks and proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer
• Cycle to Work Scheme (subject to satisfactory completion of probationary period)
• Electric Car Scheme (subject to satisfactory completion of probationary period)