At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive revenue growth and build key client relationships in the Business Travel sector.
- Company: Join Avanti West Coast, a leader in sustainable rail travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, a generous holiday allowance, and a final salary pension.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while advancing your career in business development.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development or sales within the Business Travel industry is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
Overview
We are looking for an experienced Business Development Manager to join Avanti West Coast for 15 months.
As a Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for developing and growing key client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and driving revenue performance across the Business Travel channel.
You will play a key role in promoting the environmental, social and governance (ESG) benefits of rail travel while helping organisations achieve their sustainability and travel objectives.
Responsibilities
- Deliver revenue targets and business objectives through a portfolio of Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and Corporate clients.
- Identify and secure new business opportunities through proactive account development and modal shift initiatives.
- Build, manage and grow strategic relationships with key stakeholders to enhance brand awareness and industry profile.
- Maintain and analyse sales databases, management information (MI), and reporting systems to support informed decision-making.
- Develop and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities to ensure sustainable business growth.
- Continuously identify opportunities for growth through product, yield, class and modal switch analysis.
- Monitor business performance and implement risk mitigation strategies to protect and maximise revenue.
- Stay informed on industry trends, economic developments, environmental matters, and competitor activity to provide valuable market insights and support forecasting.
- Develop and deliver annual marketing and business development activity plans within agreed budgets.
- Support procurement and contract management processes to maximise commercial value and maintain business agility.
- Provide regular performance updates and market intelligence to internal stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Proven experience in business development, sales or account management within the Business Travel industry.
- A strong track record of delivering revenue growth and achieving sales targets.
- Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using sales databases, CRM systems and reporting tools.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to identify and convert growth opportunities.
- Knowledge of procurement and contract management processes.
- Strong presentation, negotiation and communication skills.
- A proactive, self-motivated approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Benefits
- Final salary pension
- Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
- Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
- 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
- 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operators
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Business Development Manager employer: Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast is an exceptional employer that prioritises innovation and operational excellence in the catering sector. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer continuous growth opportunities and a collaborative work culture that values your contributions. Located in a dynamic environment, our team enjoys the unique advantage of being part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to enhancing customer experiences through cutting-edge digital systems.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager
✨Join Business Intelligence Meetups
We can’t stress enough how beneficial it is to attend local Business Intelligence meetups and events. These gatherings often bring together industry professionals and can lead to short-term, temporary roles—perfect if you’re looking to land something quickly. Plus, you’ll get to learn some insider tips and tricks from those already in the game!
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✨Show Off Your BI Projects
Whether you’re working on a personal project or a past endeavour, put your work out there! Create a public portfolio that highlights your best Business Intelligence analyses or visualisations. It’ll give you a leg up when you’re approaching companies like Avanti West Coast, showing exactly what you can bring to the table.
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If you're currently studying or recently graduated, make sure to use your university's career services. Many educational institutions have partnerships with companies looking for temporary talent in Business Intelligence, so keep an eye out for exclusive job postings or internship fairs that could lead to a quick placement.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Data Skills:In business intelligence, it's crucial to highlight your analytical skills and experience with data tools. Make sure your CV showcases any relevant software you’ve used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Add specific examples of how you've used data to drive insights or improvements in previous roles, even if they were in academic projects or internships.
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role like this, hiring managers often have limited time to sift through applications. Get straight to the point in your CV and cover letter. Use bullet points for your achievements, showcasing the impact you've made, like percentage increases in efficiency or specific results from your analyses.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your adaptability. Mention your quick learning abilities and experiences where you adapted to new tools or processes rapidly. This will show that you can jump in and start contributing effectively from day one at Avanti West Coast.
Craft a Tailored Motivation Statement:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re excited about this temporary role at Avanti West Coast. Talk about your interest in business intelligence and how this position aligns with your career goals. Remember, it’s not just about what you can offer, but why you’re passionate about becoming part of their team, even for a short time!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avanti West Coast
✨Brush Up on Your Data Skills
For a business intelligence role, you'll want to showcase your analytical skills and familiarity with data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Be ready to tackle technical questions or case studies demonstrating your ability to interpret data and make insightful recommendations.
✨Plan Your Portfolio of Projects
Since this is a temporary position, we should highlight any past projects you've worked on in business intelligence. Prepare a portfolio that includes a couple of key pieces where you've effectively utilised data to drive decisions—this will show that you're not just a quick fix but someone who can deliver immediate value.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Temporary roles often require us to hit the ground running, so be ready to discuss how you quickly adapt to new tools, teams, and environments. Share specific examples from previous experiences where you thrived under pressure or had to learn a new system or process in a short time frame.
✨Have Your Metrics Ready
In business intelligence, quantifying your impact is key. Come prepared to share metrics from your past work: think percentages, growth figures, or efficiency improvements. This will really help us paint a picture of how your contributions directly benefited those previous roles.
