At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive membership growth and manage event space sales in London's vibrant food scene.
- Company: Join Mission Kitchen, the UK's only co-working space for food start-ups.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and a chance to shape the future of food businesses.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a creative and supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic community and make a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in sales with strong B2B skills and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Mission Kitchen is looking for a driven and connected Membership & Events Sales Lead to attract members, grow our community, and scale our space hire business. Mission Kitchen is an incubator for the next generation of talent in London's food sector. We operate the UK's only dedicated co-working space for food and drink start-ups. Our 100+ members are ambitious independent food businesses at every stage of growth, from early-stage founders to scaling brands. It will be your job to grow this community and bring more talented entrepreneurs into our network.
Alongside membership, we offer space hire across two distinct products: Event Space for away days, workshops, talks, dining and filming; and our Development Kitchen for recipe development, team training, tastings, cookery classes and content creation. This is an increasingly important part of our business and your task will be to accelerate its growth.
We are looking for a hustler who is energised by the food and drink industry. Equally at home in B2B business development and in-person relationship building, and ready to take ownership of their results. You will report directly to one of the Founders. This is a full-time, permanent position based at our site in Nine Elms, Central London. We offer hybrid working with 1 day per week WFH as standard.
What will you be doing?
- Core Sales Responsibilities
- Sales Pipeline Management
- Enquiries: Responding to enquiries, taking sales calls, arranging visits, and managing leads from enquiry to close.
- CRM: Managing both sales funnels in our CRM, including contact databases, prospect communication, analysis, reporting and automations.
- Relationships: Achieving high conversion rates through active engagement with leads, relationship building, and responsive and proactive communications.
- Lead Generation
- Outreach: Proactively identifying and engaging prospects across both membership and space hire through targeted outreach and direct sales activity.
- Partnerships: Building referral partnerships with relevant organisations to drive enquiries across membership and space hire.
- Networking: Representing Mission Kitchen at industry events and in relevant networks to build awareness and generate leads.
- Reporting & Optimisation
- Reporting: Providing regular reports on pipeline and revenue performance against targets.
- Optimisation: Identifying and implementing improvements to the sales process in collaboration with marketing team and Founders.
- Membership
- Calls & Tours: Arranging and hosting discovery calls and engaging in-person site tours with prospective members.
- Applications & Contracts: Reviewing applications to ensure strong community and product fit, and preparing and handling membership contracts and licenses through to sign-off.
- Onboarding: Ensuring a smooth handover of confirmed new members to the operations team.
- Invoicing: Creating and issuing new sales invoices, and overseeing monthly billing processes.
- Space Hire
- Proposals: Handling inbound enquiries, understanding client needs, and preparing proposals and quotes including venue usage, catering, staffing, furniture and AV.
- Site Visits: Arranging and leading site visits, bringing the space to life and demonstrating how it could work for clients.
- Event Delivery: Developing detailed event plans, co-ordinating with our operations team, and managing events on the day to ensure smooth running and client success.
What are we looking for?
- At least 2 years of relevant experience in sales, new business or related fields; with a track record of hitting and exceeding revenue targets.
- Strong B2B sales skills, comfortable managing the full sales cycle from prospecting to close.
- Comfortable working with a CRM and using data to manage a pipeline and report on performance.
- Self-starting and entrepreneurial, a hustler who takes initiative and finds creative ways to generate leads without relying solely on inbound.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage confidently with a wide range of clients and prospects.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent sales processes.
- A genuine interest in and enthusiasm for London's food and drink industry.
Preferred
- Experience and relevant existing networks within the food and drink sector.
- Experience in sales or community management in co-working or other membership organisations.
- Sector-specific sales experience in events, venue or space hire.
Membership & Event Sales employer: Mission Kitchen
Mission Kitchen is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on creativity and collaboration within London's dynamic food sector. With a focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and networking, all while being part of a community that supports independent food businesses. Our hybrid working model and the chance to directly impact the success of emerging talent make this a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Membership & Event Sales
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Mission Kitchen. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Mission Kitchen
Don't be shy about reaching out to Mission Kitchen directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Membership & Event Sales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Mission Kitchen and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mission Kitchen
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
