At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth by engaging with corporates and planning events across the South West.
- Company: Join the vibrant Almondsbury Inn & Lounge, known for its stylish comfort and excellent amenities.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts on food, and access to wellness programmes.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to influence the future of our unique hotels.
- Why this job: Shape your career in a dynamic role with real impact on business success.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business development and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Almondsbury Inn & Lounge has 57 bedrooms that offer comfort with a stylish lounge area offering an all-day menu, Starbucks coffee and a mini gym.
As the Business Development Manager for the South West cluster, you will be the primary commercial driver for four Crest properties across Pembrokeshire, Bristol and Devon. Your mandate is to identify, engage and convert business opportunities (corporate, conferences, groups, events) in those regions, build and maintain strong relationships, drive incremental revenue and deliver against defined targets. You will act as a strategic partner to the hotels and to the central sales & revenue functions of Crest.
The role is field based so willingness to travel regularly within the assigned territory and attend networking and industry events is essential. You will research and develop new business in your region: target corporates, associations, incentive/group travel planners, leisure group operators, sports clubs, golf/tennis societies and leisure segmentation.
You will be up to date with market trends, have a constant churn of new initiatives and ideas to ensure the business is always evolving and attracting new business whilst maintaining the current client base. You will conduct regular site visits across your cluster to build relationships with hotel teams, host familiarisation visits for clients in partnership with DOS, and attend client meetings on site when business required.
Develop cluster wide initiatives (for example: multi-venue offerings, off-peak meeting bundles, “stay & meet” packages) and coordinate the marketing roll out with the group Marketing team. Track key metrics: number of leads, proposals sent, conversions, average rate, length of stay, segment mix, event utilisation. Provide insight into what’s driving success and what barriers exist.
Attend local and regional networking/business forums, trade events and exhibitions to grow brand visibility of Crest and secure new corporate relationships. Update the CRM at all key stages of the sales lifecycle, ensure consistency of data and clean reporting. You will provide monthly reporting to the Group DOS: pipeline status, wins/losses, insights, and proposed next-steps for the cluster.
The role will report to the Group Director of Sales, as we grow our business and develop our unique hotels the successful candidate has the opportunity to shape the role and to have a real impact on the business. This role is ideal for someone who has strong demonstrable business development and commercial skills, with great communication and time management. The candidate will need previous experience, be able to effectively communicate with each hotel team and use their own initiative.
Experience & Qualifications
- Proven experience in business development within the hotel/venue/meetings/events sector (ideally multi-property or resort environment).
- Excellent network and ability to build relationships with corporates.
- Strong commercial acumen: comfortable negotiating contracts, interpreting revenue/ADR/occupancy data, and aligning business opportunities with hotel commercial strategy.
- Self-motivated, organised, able to manage multiple prospects and priorities across locations.
- Excellent presentation, communication and negotiation skills; confident delivering proposals, site tours and client meetings.
- Proficient in CRM systems, MS Office, comfortable producing reports and insights.
£60 BB per night for Friends and Family rate. Celebration of milestone employment anniversaries. 50% off Food & Beverage in our hotels. Meals on duty provided. Access to Hospitality Rewards Offerings from retail and dining discounts. Employee Assistance Programme and same day online GP appointments.
Business Development Manager South in Bristol employer: Crest Hotels Group
Almondsbury Inn & Lounge is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and supportive work culture, perfect for the Business Development Manager role. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape your career while driving commercial success across beautiful locations in Pembrokeshire, Bristol, and Devon. Enjoy competitive benefits, including generous discounts, meals on duty, and access to wellness programmes, all within a vibrant hospitality environment that values innovation and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager South in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Get out there and network! Attend local business events, trade shows, and industry meet-ups. It's all about making connections and showing your face – you never know who might have the next big opportunity for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Do your homework on potential clients before meetings. Research their needs and tailor your pitch to show how you can solve their problems. This will help you stand out and demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in their business.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after meetings with a personalised message. Thank them for their time and recap key points discussed. This keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your commitment to building a relationship.
✨Tip Number 4
Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager South in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in business development, especially within the hotel or events sector, and showcase your ability to build relationships and drive revenue.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully identified and converted business opportunities in the past, and don’t forget to mention your strong communication skills!
Showcase Your Networking Skills:Since this role involves a lot of networking, make sure to mention any relevant connections you have in the industry. Talk about your experience attending trade events and how you've leveraged those opportunities to grow business.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crest Hotels Group
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the hotel and events market in the South West. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and potential clients. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can drive business development effectively.
✨Showcase Your Networking Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific networking events you've attended and how those connections led to tangible results. This will demonstrate your ability to engage with corporates and grow brand visibility.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since tracking metrics is crucial for this role, come prepared with insights from your past experiences. Discuss how you've used data to inform your strategies and decisions. Highlight any CRM systems you've worked with and how you ensured clean reporting and consistency.
✨Demonstrate Your Initiative
Think of innovative ideas or initiatives you could propose for the cluster. Whether it's a new marketing strategy or a unique package offering, showing that you can think outside the box will set you apart. Be ready to discuss how you would implement these ideas and measure their success.