Business Development Manager - London

Business Development Manager - London

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
First Table

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build relationships with local restaurants and drive user acquisition in London.
  • Company: First Table, a leading dining discovery platform with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, travel allowance, and free dining perks.
  • Other info: Remote-first environment with a focus on teamwork and growth.
  • Why this job: Join a purpose-led brand and make a real impact in the dining scene.
  • Qualifications: Experience in business development and strong relationship-building skills.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.

We’re looking for a driven, food-loving Business Development Manager to help grow First Table’s presence in London, one of the UK’s most dynamic dining scenes. This is a relationship-focused role where your ability to connect, pitch, and follow through will make a real impact.

At First Table, our vision is simple: to be the first place diners go to book a table. Proudly established in Queenstown, New Zealand, we've been leading the charge in the hospitality tech industry for over a decade, with operations spanning New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. First Table now offers our great dining experiences at amazing restaurants across the UK. Following recent city launches in Bournemouth, Leicester, Norwich, and Southampton, we are doubling down on building a strong presence and connected team across the UK.

First Table is a dining discovery platform that connects diners to restaurants through their love of food. Through our clever tech, we help restaurants get their night off to a great start and give diners a compelling reason to try somewhere new. It’s a win‑win situation. From early bird offers to last table reservations, we make discovering and booking great dining experiences fast, easy, and rewarding.

At the heart of everything we do are our values: Grow Together, Win‑Win‑Win, and Own It. These guide how we show up for each other, our restaurant partners, and our diners and they’re a big part of what makes First Table a great place to work.

Join us at a truly exciting time of growth as we expand First Table’s presence across the UK. As a Business Development Manager, you’ll build relationships with local restaurants, uncover new opportunities, and bring our platform to more diners to help restaurants thrive. This role is tailor‑made for individuals who thrive on networking, can take ownership, embrace challenges with open arms, and value the essence of teamwork.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Own and grow your local market within London.
  • Build long‑lasting, win‑win relationships with restaurants in your assigned patch.
  • Maintain an in‑depth understanding of market trends and competitors, using this knowledge to identify new opportunities.
  • Drive user acquisition and retention strategies.
  • Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams.

What you’ll bring:

  • Proven experience in a similar role such as business development, field sales, and partnerships experience.
  • Excellent relationship‑building, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
  • Familiarity with the hospitality industry is a massive plus, and your ability to hit the ground running with existing contacts will push you to the top of the queue for this position.
  • Be a self‑starter with a commercial mindset – someone who thrives in an autonomous environment and knows how to spot opportunities (then go after them).
  • A “can do attitude” and the drive to grow with us.

Why you’ll love working with us:

  • A full‑time role with flexible working hours and the autonomy to manage your own schedule.
  • Remote‑first, but never remote‑feeling, especially if you’re located in London, where we have a strong presence and teammates who love connecting in person.
  • Competitive OTE (base salary + commissions), plus travel allowance, laptop and phone.
  • Hit the ground running with an existing client base and the freedom to shape and grow your market, guided by achievable KPIs, supportive coaching and shared wins.
  • Free First Table bookings as a team perk – perfect for fellow food lovers.
  • We recognise great work, with team‑wide recognition shoutouts, referral incentives, and regular opportunities to celebrate wins.
  • Being part of a purpose‑led, award‑winning brand that champions exceptional dining experiences and values creativity, collaboration and growth.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Applicants must already be based in Greater London to be considered for this role.
  • Applicants for this position must have pre‑existing rights to work in the United Kingdom.

Business Development Manager - London employer: First Table

First Table is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and flexible work environment for the Business Development Manager role in London. With a strong focus on relationship-building and teamwork, employees enjoy competitive compensation, autonomy in managing their schedules, and unique perks like free dining experiences. The company's commitment to growth and recognition fosters a culture where individuals can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the vibrant hospitality sector.

First Table

Contact Detail:

First Table Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend local food events, restaurant openings, and industry meet-ups in London. The more people you connect with, the better your chances of landing that Business Development Manager role.

Tip Number 2

Show off your passion for food! When chatting with potential employers or connections, share your favourite dining experiences and how they inspire your approach to business development. It’s all about making those win-win connections!

Tip Number 3

Do your homework on the competition! Understanding market trends and what other players are doing will help you stand out in interviews. Bring fresh ideas to the table that can help First Table grow even more in London.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at First Table. Let’s grow together!

We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - London

Relationship Building
Networking Skills
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Presentation Skills
Market Analysis
User Acquisition Strategies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Mention any experiences or connections you have with the dining scene in London. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about helping restaurants thrive.

Highlight Relationship-Building Skills:This role is all about building long-lasting relationships, so make sure to showcase your communication and negotiation skills. Share examples of how you've successfully connected with others in previous roles. We love seeing how you can create win-win situations!

Be Yourself:We’re looking for someone who can bring their unique personality to the team. Don’t be afraid to let your character come through in your application. Whether it’s a quirky anecdote or a personal touch, we want to know the real you!

Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at First Table!

How to prepare for a job interview at First Table

Know Your Market

Before the interview, dive deep into London's dining scene. Familiarise yourself with local restaurants, trends, and competitors. This knowledge will not only impress but also help you discuss how you can leverage these insights to grow First Table's presence.

Showcase Your Relationship Skills

Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your communication and negotiation skills led to successful partnerships. This is crucial for a role focused on relationship-building.

Emphasise Your Self-Starter Attitude

Highlight your ability to work autonomously and spot opportunities. Share stories that demonstrate your proactive approach and 'can do' attitude. This will resonate well with their value of 'Own It' and show you're ready to hit the ground running.

Align with Their Values

Familiarise yourself with First Table's core values: Grow Together, Win-Win-Win, and Own It. Think of ways you've embodied these values in your past experiences and be prepared to discuss them. This alignment will show you're a great cultural fit.