At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth by identifying new opportunities and building client relationships.
- Company: Join Central Hall Westminster, a historic venue hosting iconic events in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, generous leave, and discounts at local cafes.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for networking and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a prestigious venue and contribute to memorable events.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and strong communication skills required.
Location: Central London, Westminster (office-based)
Contract type: Fixed-Term Contract (12 Months)
Reporting to: Head of Sales & Marketing
Working pattern: 5 days out of 7, flexed to meet business needs. UK travel required, with occasional international travel.
Join one of London's most iconic event venues. Central Hall Westminster (CHW) is the largest heritage events venue in Westminster, hosting conferences, exhibitions, graduations, corporate events, concerts and public gatherings from 2 to 2,000+ guests. Working with corporate organisations, charities, agencies and private clients, we deliver a diverse programme of events in one of London’s most recognised venues.
High-profile events hosted at Central Hall Westminster include the Netflix Wednesday Season 2 Global Premiere, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and the Burberry Fashion Show, reflecting our reputation for delivering memorable experiences in a unique and historic setting.
CHW Ltd is owned by Trustees appointed by the Methodist Church. We conduct business in line with the Church’s ethics, and our vision is to be a leading venue blending modern day functionality with a rich heritage. A place people are proud to work, where integrity, caring, collaboration and innovation shape our decisions and actions.
We are looking for a Business Development Manager to join our Sales team on a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover family leave. The role focuses on identifying new business opportunities, building relationships within target sectors and generating revenue by promoting Central Hall Westminster to UK and international clients.
The Role
You will grow revenue through proactive business development and secure bookings from new clients and market sectors. You will represent the venue at industry events, build relationships with event organisers and agencies, and work with internal teams to convert opportunities into confirmed business.
Key responsibilities include:
- Identifying and developing new business opportunities
- Building relationships with clients, agencies and industry partners
- Attending networking events, conferences and trade shows
- Researching target organisations and market trends
- Conducting venue site visits and client presentations
- Preparing proposals, quotations and commercial packages
- Managing the sales pipeline through iVvy CRM
- Working with internal teams to maximise revenue
- Reporting on sales activity and performance
- Contributing market insight to sales and marketing initiatives
About You
You will have business development & sales experience within a venue, hospitality, hotel, conferencing or events environment, with a proven ability to generate new business and build lasting client relationships. You will be proactive, commercially focused and confident representing a prestigious London venue.
You will also bring:
- A successful track record of achieving sales targets
- Strong negotiation, presentation and communication skills
- Commercial awareness and strong numerical skills
- The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
- Strong organisational and administrative skills
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
Knowledge of a foreign language and experience using iVvy or a similar CRM platform would be highly advantageous.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to represent one of London’s best-known event venues and work with clients across the corporate, charity, association and private event sectors. You will contribute directly to the venue’s commercial success and work with experienced colleagues in a unique heritage setting.
Benefits:
- Private medical insurance
- Generous pension
- 25 days of annual leave + bank holidays and paid birthday leave
- Enhanced sick leave
- Employee Assistance Programme
- 2 additional paid volunteering days each year
- 50% discount at our in-house café and discounts to food and shopping places in local area.
- Staff referral bonus
We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds, skills and abilities. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us.
Business Development Manager - Events employer: Central Hall Westminster
Central Hall Westminster is an excellent employer that values proactive team members who contribute to a safe and efficient working environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and continuous learning, all within a supportive and collaborative work culture. Located in the heart of Westminster, our venue provides a unique setting where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying the benefits of working in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Events
✨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!
✨Leverage Online Freelancing Platforms
Since you’re searching for a temporary gig, check out freelancing platforms like Upwork or Freelancer where businesses often post short-term BI projects. This can be a great way to build your portfolio and gain experience while also showcasing your skills to potential future employers.
✨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 Central Hall Westminster, showing exactly what you can bring to the table.
✨Tap Into University or College Networks
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 - Events
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 Central Hall Westminster.
Craft a Tailored Motivation Statement:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re excited about this temporary role at Central Hall Westminster. 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 Central Hall Westminster
✨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.