Business Development / Events Coordinator

Job Title: Business Development / Events Coordinator

Employer: Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce

Hours: up to 37.5 per week / Monday – Friday / 0.8 FTE also considered

Salary: £26,000-£28,000 depending on skills

Why Join Us

• An exciting job creating and hosting events.
• A rewarding social role that brings people together.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Westfield Health cashback plan (after 1 year of employment).
• Discounted Ferry travel.
• Discounted Gym membership.

About the Role

The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce is looking for a Business Development / Events Coordinator. You’ll need to be exceptionally organised, with a flair for marketing, and a passion for what makes the Island a fantastic place to work.

This is an exciting job, where no two days are the same. As a true ambassador for the Chamber, your role will be split into three key parts: Events, Marketing, and Sales.

Responsibilities

Events Coordination

We need someone exceptionally organised, enthusiastic, hands‑on, and fantastic with people. You’ll coordinate and arrange a programme of networking events and training sessions. Eventually, you will handle everything from initial planning to hosting on the day, including flagship events such as Expo.

Note: This role requires a proactive approach and a willingness to attend events outside normal working hours, by prior agreement.

Promotion

Once the events are planned, you’ll need to get people there. We are looking for someone with an ability to engage and drive event participation no matter what they are. You’ll use your strong spoken, written, and multimedia skills to reach existing members and new members to ensure the Chamber continues to grow.

Sales & Business Development

To round out your role, you will use your passionate personality to support membership growth and retention. You’ll regularly arrange and attend meetings with potential new members and quickly build rapport.

You’ll discuss leads with the Business Development Manager and CEO to ensure Chamber members are clear on all of the benefits available to them via the Chamber including Quest 24/7 supporting services, Westfield Healthcare, AXA Healthcare and Isle of Wight Lottery amongst other products.

Who We Are Looking For

To succeed in this role, you need to be a people person. You’ll be hands‑on and willing to get involved in any project. You must genuinely care about the success of the Island, its businesses, and how the Chamber provides support. A modern way of doing business is a must with key digital skills to help you achieve this as well as the interpersonal skills required to build great relationships.

Essential Skills (must‑have)

1. Organisation & Time Management
   • Exceptional organisational skills.
   • Ability to manage multiple tasks (events, marketing, sales) simultaneously.
   • Strong planning and coordination abilities.
2. Communication Skills
   • Excellent spoken and written communication.
   • Confident presenter and host for events.
   • Strong interpersonal skills (rapport‑building, networking).
3. People Skills (People Person)
   • Friendly, approachable, and relationship‑focused.
   • Ability to engage with members, stakeholders, and prospects.
   • Comfortable attending and leading social/networking events.
4. Event Coordination
   • Planning and organising events from start to finish.
   • Ability to manage logistics and deliver successful events.
   • Willingness to work outside standard hours when needed.
5. Marketing & Promotion
   • Ability to promote events and drive attendance.
   • Strong understanding of multi‑channel communication (email, social, digital platforms).
   • Creative thinking for marketing campaigns.
6. Sales & Business Development
   • Confidence in pitching and promoting membership benefits.
   • Ability to generate leads and convert prospects.
   • Relationship management and retention skills.
7. Digital Skills
   • Comfortable using modern digital tools/platforms.
   • Competence in social media, email marketing, and basic content creation.
8. Proactive & Hands‑On Approach
   • Self‑starter attitude.
   • Willing to take initiative.
   • Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
9. Passion & Local Engagement
   • Genuine interest in supporting local businesses and the Isle of Wight economy.
   • Enthusiasm for community and business growth.

Desirable Skills (nice‑to‑have)

1. Previous Experience
   • Event planning or coordination.
   • Marketing or communications.
   • Sales, membership, or business development roles.
2. Networking Experience
   • Background in networking environments or membership organisations.
   • Experience dealing with business stakeholders or SMEs.
3. CRM / Marketing Tools
   • CRM systems (for managing members/leads).
   • Email marketing platforms (e.g., Hubspot).
   • Social media scheduling tools.
4. Hosting & Public Speaking
   • Experience hosting events, workshops, or presentations.
   • Confidence speaking to groups or audiences.
5. Commercial Awareness
   • Understanding of how businesses operate and grow.
   • Ability to identify opportunities for member engagement and revenue generation.
6. Creativity & Innovation
   • Ability to generate ideas for new events, campaigns and engagement strategies.