Venue Sales Business Development Manager in Manchester

Closing Date of Applications – 20 February 2026

Manchester City is an English Premier League club whose roots began in East Manchester. From its first incarnation as St Mark’s West Gorton in 1880, the club became Manchester City FC in 1894. Behind each title lies emotion, moments and memories that resonate with millions of supporters around the world. Manchester City fans are known for their commitment and togetherness, as a Club that fights to the end.

MCFC is built on a vision for sustainability, with an academy structure designed to support long-term first team success, to engagement with the communities in which we reside. Together with our passionate fans and valued network of partners, we are developing Manchester City’s future history.

As a Venue Sales Business Development Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving commercial performance and delivering against departmental revenue targets. You will be responsible for proactively generating new business opportunities across all market segments (direct and via agents), converting leads into confirmed business, and building a robust and sustainable sales pipeline. In addition to new business development, you will effectively manage, nurture, and grow a portfolio of key accounts, identifying opportunities for repeat business, upsell and cross-sell in line with venue capabilities and strategic objectives.

Reporting directly to the Senior Venue Sales Manager, you will provide regular, accurate reporting on pipeline performance, and will be accountable for delivering against individual and team KPIs. You will also have a clear interface with the Head of Venue Sales, contributing to the broader sales strategy. This includes providing insight from the market, supporting budget planning, and ensuring your activity aligns with the wider commercial direction of the business.

Your Impact

• Proactively generate new business opportunities across the Etihad Campus, converting qualified leads into confirmed events.
• Build, manage and maintain a strong sales pipeline, ensuring accurate forecasting and timely progression from enquiry to contract.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts, driving repeat business, upsell and cross-sell opportunities.
• Lead end-to-end sales activity, including negotiation, contracting and handover to internal delivery teams.
• Work collaboratively with Venue Sales B2B, B2C and Planning teams to ensure a seamless client journey.
• Support the development and delivery of the annual commercial activity plan, reporting progress and performance throughout the year.
• Maintain strong market awareness, identifying trends, competitor activity and emerging opportunities.
• Represent Manchester City within the events industry through networking, trade shows, industry events and hosted FAM trips.
• Maximise CRM and sales systems to provide accurate reporting and insight to senior stakeholders.
• Develop a strong understanding of venue products, services and operational capabilities.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven success in a proactive sales or business development role, with at least 3 years’ experience exceeding revenue targets.
• Knowledge of local, national and international events markets.
• Experience working with stadia, large venues or destination events.
• Strong passion for the meetings and events industry.
• Established network of agency and client relationships.
• Confident leading negotiations and managing complex sales cycles.
• Strong organisational, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• A collaborative, positive approach with the ability to lead and develop others.
• Confidence using CRM systems and Microsoft Office tools.
• Flexibility to travel and work outside normal business hours when required.

*We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates. To avoid disappointment, please submit your application as soon as possible.

City Football Group promotes equal opportunities in employment and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview.

Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK. Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities.