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- Tasks: Drive sales and develop new business opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Ashridge House, a prestigious venue with a focus on excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, gym access, pension scheme, and continuous professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse community committed to inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact by shaping business strategies and connecting with top-tier clients.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in B2B sales, strong consultative skills, and CRM experience.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Ashridge House is a prestigious and world-renowned conference and events venue, home to Hult International Business School and part of EF, a global leader in education.
The Business Development Manager is responsible for the entire sales life cycle of newly identified business opportunities within our newly formed Business Development team. This role is focused on identifying, developing, and converting deals across blue chip verticals and Professional Conference Organisers. This person needs to be confident communicating at all levels up to c-suite executives to position Ashridge House as a strategic partner.
Key Responsibilities- Build and manage a robust sales pipeline through strategic outbound prospecting, networking, and market engagement.
- Play a key role in shaping and executing the business development strategy for new and emerging markets.
- Maintain strong awareness of market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities.
- Achieve and exceed individual sales targets, revenue goals, and KPIs.
- Work closely with sales, marketing and other internal stakeholders to continuously develop products and services.
- Proven experience (3+ years) in proactive business development or strategic sales within a B2B environment.
- Demonstrated success in securing high-value contracts and managing complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles.
- Strong consultative selling capability, with the ability to translate client needs into tailored commercial solutions.
- Proven experience in full utilisation of a CRM platform to optimise sales performance.
- High levels of emotional intelligence, with the ability to build rapport quickly and influence effectively.
- Able to work autonomously while contributing to a high-performing team.
- Flexible and willing to travel and work outside standard hours when required.
- Free access to the onsite gym
- Company Pension Scheme
- Life Insurance
- Income Protection
- Opt-In to Private Health Care or Health Cash Plan
- Continuous Professional Development
- Regular staff social events
When you join Ashridge House, you join a community from unique backgrounds, all united by pursuing excellence in service and hospitality. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about—we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. Ashridge House is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, caste, parental status, disability, identity, experience and everything else that makes you unique.
Business Development Manager employer: Education First
Contact Detail:
Education First Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that Business Development Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with someone from Ashridge House or any other company, make sure to highlight your experience in securing high-value contracts and managing complex sales cycles. Tailor your pitch to demonstrate how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you’re interested in, like Ashridge House, and express your enthusiasm for their work. A well-timed email can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise your CRM skills! If you’ve got experience with CRM platforms, make sure to mention it in conversations. Companies love candidates who can optimise sales performance, so share examples of how you’ve used these tools to drive results in your previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in proactive business development and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to secure high-value contracts.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you’re the perfect fit for Ashridge House. Use it to demonstrate your consultative selling skills and how you can translate client needs into tailored solutions.
Showcase Your Market Awareness: In your application, mention your awareness of market trends and competitor activity. This shows us that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely interested in the industry and ready to contribute to our strategy.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Education First
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the latest trends and competitor activities in the events and conference sector. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to Ashridge House's business development strategy.
✨Showcase Your Sales Success
Prepare specific examples of high-value contracts you've secured and complex sales cycles you've managed. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, demonstrating your consultative selling skills and ability to meet targets.
✨Build Rapport with Confidence
Practice your communication skills to ensure you can engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels, including c-suite executives. Role-play potential scenarios with a friend or mentor to refine your approach and build your emotional intelligence.
✨Familiarise Yourself with CRM Tools
Since the role requires full utilisation of a CRM platform, brush up on your knowledge of popular systems. Be ready to discuss how you've used CRM tools in the past to optimise sales performance and manage your pipeline effectively.