Sales Development Manager (up to £31,000)
Immediate is home to some of the biggest and most loved consumer brands in the UK, including Radio Times, Good Food and BBC Gardeners World magazine. Our trusted, quality content reaches millions of people a month across digital, print, video, podcasts, apps and live events.
We’re the destination for people looking to get more from the things they love. We’re here to inspire, fuel, encourage and educate.
Whether it’s the big things, or the little things; from reaching fitness goals to savouring good food, cultivating outdoor spaces, or enjoying the latest TV sensation – we help bring our audiences joy!
About the role
As a Sales Development Manager, you will be highly skilled and target driven as well as extremely organised and able to perform well under pressure. You will be a team player, who thinks strategically and creatively for commercial gain, and can execute a plan that delivers results.
Knowledge and experience of sales planning, pipeline management, KPI metrics, delivering results and detailed reporting are fundamental to this role. You will be results focused in everything you do. This role requires excellent leadership skills and you will work closely with your colleagues, both in your direct team and the wider events business, as well as across Immediate Live. You will be able to coach, train and manage people daily to ensure that commercial expectations are met.
As a Sales Development Manager you will;
* Sell stand space, sponsorship, and digital assets to new and existing business, demonstrating excellent phone and face to face skills, delivering high quality proposals and emails as part of the sales process. You will meet all sales targets and agreed KPI’s. You may be required to travel to meet with key clients
* Sell all assets and stand space with a focus on increased yield, average order value and quality. You will actively support junior members in making these decisions
* Focus on building your sales pipeline through speaking with existing and new business clients, both over the phone and at virtual/in person meetings
* Manage your own pipeline, identifying prospects, actively selling, and closing business. You will communicate pledges and forecasts with accuracy and have a good understanding of the performance of the team you work with. You will communicate and report on sales achievements with your team and others within the business
* Proactively identify new business opportunities and will attend competitor shows to sell to both new and existing business
* Use and manage the CRM system, ensuring you use it for all customer contact, understanding client history and will ensure it is always up to date. You will use this to report on sales
* Have ownership of your client debt and will liaison with the finance team to manage and resolve any issues across your teams
* Participate in an onsite rebook as planned by the Sales Manager, working toward all targets set
* Attend weekly sales meetings and be aware of the meeting objectives, participation requirements and ensuring actions are acted on and reviewed. You may be asked to lead these meetings when other managers are absent
* Support the Senior Sales team to develop the sales strategy and sales plans with a compelling exhibitor proposition. You will identify ways to improve sales pace through market knowledge and strong prospecting skills
* Lead on creating event assets including but are exhaustive to; event guides, web listing, visitor promotional material, you are here boards etc.
* Create an exprom schedule for campaigns to generate leads, including digital and email
* Proactively gain insight from the marketing team on marketing activity that will improve and develop the sales pitch, as well as identifying any gaps within the event for new brands and sectors within the food and drink industry
* Play an active role in supporting junior staff on your team, using your experience to share best practise, knowledge, and where needed support them with challenges
* Support with recruitment of Sales Executives into the Good Food team
* Collaborate with other salespeople across IM to develop best practices for the business and encourage the sharing of ideas
Requirements
* Demonstrable success in sales roles, you are used to meeting goals and are target driven
* Organised with excellent time management
* Strategic thinker
* Clear communicator with strong interpersonal skills, and excellent written and verbal communication
* Good negotiation and objection handing skills
* Natural networker
* Naturally interested and inquisitive
* Passion for organising events
* Committed, engaged, and motivated
* Self-starter who loves to win
* Ambition to grow, develop and learn within career
* Experience in consumer events or exhibitions
* Demonstrable market and industry knowledge
Benefits
* A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival
* Supportive well-being initiatives and benefits, talks & workshops, and Mental Health First aiders & Champions
* 25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday. Our offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s which are in addition to your annual entitlement
* Tailored training and development through both our inhouse learning platform and LinkedIn Learning
* A progressive and transparent culture focused on your development
* Flexible / hybrid working
* Cycle to work scheme
* Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption and surrogacy leave. We also provide a pregnancy loss, fertility, and carers policy
* Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance
* A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces
At Immediate, we pride ourselves on our open, inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic culture that empowers our people to thrive and give their best. We care deeply about our people, our local communities and the impact we have on the environment. Our active Diversity & Inclusion network, comprehensive well-being programs, and clear sustainability strategies reflect this commitment.
People are at the heart of our business and creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is important to us. Immediate is an equal opportunities employer. We’ll never treat anyone less favourably because of their sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital/civil partnerships, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief or disability. We’re also committed to supporting applications from those who are returning to work following a career break, maternity leave or caring responsibilities.
Immediate is a place you can grow, be supported, and make a difference.