The Great West Way is seeking a Business Development Manager to manage and develop the Ambassador Network of 250 investing destinations and tourism businesses. The role will work collaboratively with destinations and stakeholders along the route to generate income, exceed commercial targets and deliver exceptional value for Great West Way Ambassadors. The role is suited to someone with proven relationship and account management experience, and strong sales experience based on a collaborative approach.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the Great West Way Ambassador Network
- Securing financial investment from existing and new Ambassadors
- Working in partnership with partner destinations and key stakeholders to generate commercial income and achieve measurable additional benefit
- Managing an efficient recruitment and retention process including reporting to Ambassadors on activity, raising invoices and securing income
- Building strong commercial relationships with a wide range of tourism and other organisations including SMEs and high profile national businesses
- Identifying, sourcing and responding to Ambassador opportunities
- Inputting to Great West Way development and marketing activity to ensure Ambassador expectations are exceeded
- Managing and operating successful administration systems to support Ambassador network activity
- Building close relationships with Ambassadors and stakeholders through key account meetings, regular calls and networking events
- Selling additional consumer, travel trade and PR marketing opportunities
- Achieving agreed KPIs to include new and retained Ambassadors
- Organising Ambassador events and meetings
- Producing regular commercial updates, reporting to the team and Board
- Other duties as specified by the CEO
The successful candidate will:
- Have a successful track record of B2B account management and relationship/membership working
- Have a proven track record in generating commercial income based on a partnership approach rather than hard sell
- Have excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability and confidence to present to external audiences
- Have experience of working in a complex stakeholder environment
- Be highly motivated with a can-do attitude and imaginative approach to identifying new business opportunities
- Have good business understanding and ability to see the bigger picture
- Have excellent interpersonal skills at all levels
- Be diplomatic in dealing with sensitive or political situations
- Be able to quickly assimilate facts and hit the ground running
- Have excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Be strong at problem solving with good attention to detail
- Have good IT skills to maintain and develop administration systems
- Have strong commercial acumen
Please click here to view the full job description and person specification >>
How to apply: Please send your CV and covering letter detailing your relevant experience and current salary to [email protected] by 5pm on Monday 31 January. Interviews will take place in Salisbury on 3 or 4 February.
About the Great West Way: The Great West Way was launched in 2017 with the ambition of becoming one of the world’s premier touring routes between London and Bristol. The Ambassador Network consists of over 250 investing destinations and tourism businesses, working collaboratively to maximise overall route and individual business potential.
