Commercial Executive - HRC

Build relationships. Create opportunities. Grow the hospitality community. HRC is one of the UK’s leading business events for the hotel, restaurant and catering sectors and a centrepiece of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. We’re looking for an ambitious and people-focused Commercial Executive to help grow the event by bringing exciting new exhibitors and sponsors into the HRC community. If you’re confident speaking with customers, motivated by results and excited by the opportunity to build a career in exhibitions, this could be a brilliant next step.

Position Overview & Key Responsibilities

Working as part of a supportive and collaborative event team, you’ll develop new business, grow existing accounts and build strong, long-lasting customer relationships. You’ll connect hospitality suppliers with influential buyers and decision-makers, taking the time to understand their business goals and introduce them to opportunities across HRC, Food, Drink & Hospitality Week and the wider Montgomery Group portfolio.

• Researching and connecting with prospective exhibitors and sponsors across foodservice, professional kitchen equipment, hospitality technology and related markets.
• Creating new business opportunities through calls, emails, social selling, networking and industry events.
• Understanding customers’ objectives, audiences and challenges to recommend solutions that deliver genuine value.
• Preparing tailored proposals, leading commercial conversations and confidently closing new business.
• Developing trusted relationships with new and existing customers.
• Identifying opportunities to grow accounts through exhibition space, sponsorship and additional commercial products.
• Managing your sales pipeline and keeping customer information accurate and up to date within HubSpot.
• Attending customer meetings, competitor events and networking opportunities to build relationships and strengthen your industry knowledge.
• Working closely with marketing, content and operations colleagues to deliver an excellent exhibitor experience before, during and after the event.

Personal Attributes

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Confident, personable, and comfortable starting conversations with new people.
• Proactive, ambitious, and motivated by achieving results.
• Resilient and able to remain positive when facing challenges.
• Curious and keen to develop their sales, product, and industry knowledge.
• A strong listener who takes the time to understand what customers really need.
• Organised, reliable and consistent with their follow-up.
• Collaborative and enthusiastic about contributing to a supportive team.
• Coachable, open to feedback and committed to continuous development.

You’ll bring:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to build rapport and develop trusted customer relationships.
• A consultative approach to identifying customer needs and recommending suitable solutions.
• Confidence managing commercial conversations, proposals and negotiations.
• Strong organisation, time management and attention to detail.
• The ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities effectively.
• Confidence using CRM systems and digital tools to manage customer relationships and sales activity.
• The ability to work collaboratively while taking ownership of individual results.

Previous experience in B2B sales, telesales, account management or business development would be an advantage, particularly within exhibitions, events, media, hospitality or a related supplier market. Knowledge of HubSpot or experience selling sponsorship and marketing solutions would also be beneficial. However, above all, we’re looking for someone with the right attitude, energy and appetite to learn.

Montgomery Group is an ethical, collaborative and empowering family business. We are performance led with a strong focus on growth. We are purpose-driven and care about the people and communities that we serve. The central London, dog-friendly offices are in a Georgian townhouse close to Oxford Street & Marylebone High Street with private access to Manchester Square Gardens. A minimum of 4 days in the office, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Some flexibility will be required to meet business needs.

Research shows that women are less likely than men to apply for a role if they do not have experience in all the areas mentioned in the job description. The experience above is indicative, so we still welcome your application even if you feel you don’t have experience in all the listed areas but think that you could do the job. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to diversity and welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, who meet the minimum requirements of the job role. Please note that our office building is not wheelchair accessible.

OUR PURPOSE: To serve our world, nurturing relationships and developing opportunities.

OUR VISION: To be our communities’ long term strategic partner throughout the year, creating opportunities for them to connect, transact and engage with the right people to achieve success.

OUR VALUES: Ethically Commercial, Growth Mindset, Embrace Collaboration, Empowerment

BENEFITS: Company away days, Cycle to work scheme, Dog friendly office, Fundraising matching scheme, Increased maternity & paternity benefits, Monthly social events, Pension and 8 x death in service-payment.