At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth by building relationships and sourcing amazing local experiences.
- Company: Join itison, a market leader in local experiences and events.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, discounts, and paid time off for charity work.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your career in sales.
- Qualifications: Experience in B2B sales or hospitality, with strong networking skills.
At itison we believe life is about the experience. We match our 1.9 million members with the best local experiences; create our own world class events and donate thousands of experiences to local charities. We’re the market leader at what we do and we’re looking for the best to join our team to help make us better.
We’re looking for a proven and ambitious Business Development Manager to join our City Team and help us grow our business across Dundee, Aberdeen and their conurbations sustainably - someone who can build real momentum in the city through sourcing standout experiences with brilliant local businesses, driving commercial growth. The role would suit someone who is well connected across Dundee and Aberdeen and has a strong network of hospitality, leisure and experience-led businesses they can tap into.
What you'll be doing:
- Our City Team (sales team) is at the forefront of delivering growth for itison, responsible for driving double-digit growth every year through sourcing and negotiating an incredible range of experiences in our local areas; from amazing hotel breaks to Michelin-starred dining or the best new spa.
- To begin with, you’ll be focused on developing new business in and around Dundee and Aberdeen - securing partnerships with the best operators, and building a pipeline that creates sustained momentum.
- Once you have built up a strong portfolio, your time will then be split between account managing your existing accounts and helping them grow, alongside continuing to generate new business.
- To excel at this role, you’ll need to be smart, charming, ambitious, tenacious, diligent, resilient and organised. You will also be motivated by targets, used to working at pace, and thinking strategically to get what you want.
- You should have experience in B2B sales or strong transferable experience from the hospitality or leisure industries. A network of connections within these sectors would also be beneficial.
- We’ll welcome candidates from Glasgow who would be based from our HQ, and are willing to travel frequently; or locally based candidates with a suitable home working space (3 of the 5 days of the week will be based in the field visiting businesses/venues). There will also be regular visits to our Glasgow HQ.
- To do this role, you'll need to be flexible, have a driving license and your own transport.
What’s the role?
- Growing and develop your pipeline by building amazing relationships with key people.
- Building on established relationships and coming up with ideas for new opportunities for existing accounts.
- Working with senior teams in local and global brands to develop long-term strategies based on their objectives.
- Using research and your own hospitality knowledge to identify the best opportunities within each business to work with itison.
- Maximise your time by combining scheduled meetings with drop-ins to qualified businesses.
- Target based - you will have targets to work to across various metrics.
Key skills & traits:
- A love of sales and field based business development, backed by a proven track record.
- Intelligent, professional, presentable, and tenacious.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ambitious, energetic, self-motivated, and driven by KPI’s.
- Resilient and a skilled objection handler/negotiator.
- An emotionally intelligent people person; brilliant at building relationships at all levels.
- Diligent and organised; able to follow processes and manage time effectively.
- Highly connected within Dundee/Aberdeen and the surrounding areas, with strong industry relationships.
- Insider knowledge of the hospitality industry and an understanding of industry language and key considerations (i.e. profit margins).
Salary & Benefits:
- £30k - £38k (OTE 35k - £43k), depending on experience.
- Private Health Care.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Salary exchange smart pension scheme.
- 15% itison discount and 50% discount at all itison-owned venues.
- Enhanced maternity/paternity.
- Learning grant.
- Lunchtime Pilates classes.
- Holiday-buy scheme.
- Birthday day off.
- Home & Tech scheme.
- Paid company socials.
- Free tickets to our major events (Drive-In Movies, GlasGLOW, and more to come).
- Charity day – paid time off to volunteer for a charity of your choice.
- Fantastic work environment and the best equipment to do your job.
Business Development Manager - Dundee & Aberdeen employer: itison
At Sloans, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values teamwork and personal growth. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including private medical insurance and fully funded training courses, we ensure our employees thrive both professionally and personally. Located in the heart of Glasgow, our historic venue provides a unique opportunity to be part of a beloved establishment, where every day brings new challenges and the chance to create memorable experiences for our guests.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Dundee & Aberdeen
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Business Development Manager - Dundee & Aberdeen at itison, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including itison. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Business Development Manager - Dundee & Aberdeen. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for itison:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for itison. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at itison
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show itison that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show itison that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with itison’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
