At a Glance
- Tasks: Expand our holiday parks portfolio and build meaningful partnerships.
- Company: Join Sykes Holiday Cottages, a fast-growing holiday let agency.
- Benefits: Uncapped bonuses, 33 days holiday, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape a best-in-class proposition and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in B2B sales and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: Up to ÂŁ50,000 plus uncapped bonus
Working Days & Hours: 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm
Location: Chester HQ (Hybrid – minimum 2 days in office)
Team: Client Development
Reports to: Head of Client Development
About the Role
As our new Client Development Manager, you will be at the forefront of expanding our holiday parks portfolio, identifying new opportunities, building meaningful partnerships, and shaping a best‑in‑class proposition that clients can’t ignore. The role is relationship‑driven and involves engaging with park operators, understanding their ambitions, and bringing them on board through tailored solutions. It requires commercial savvy, people‑focused skills, and a passion for winning new business.
What You’ll Do
- Identify, target, and secure new holiday park and multi‑site operator partnerships aligned to growth strategy
- Build and manage a strong pipeline, progressing opportunities from first contact to signed contracts
- Develop a deep understanding of client needs and translate them into compelling commercial propositions
- Deliver engaging pitches and presentations, tailoring solutions to each client
- Collaborate with Marketing to support lead generation and campaign activity
- Partner with Operations, Technology, and Onboarding teams to ensure seamless client handovers
- Support contract negotiations alongside Legal, ensuring strong commercial outcomes
- Gather market and competitor insights to inform strategy and proposition development
- Represent the business at industry events, trade shows, and networking opportunities
- Maintain accurate pipeline reporting, tracking performance against targets and KPIs
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience in B2B sales or business development, preferably within travel, leisure, hospitality, property, or holiday parks
- Strong track record of sourcing, pitching, and converting new business opportunities
- Excellent relationship‑building skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
- Strong commercial awareness and a consultative sales approach
- Confident communication, presentation, negotiation, and objection handling skills
- Experience managing a sales pipeline and delivering against targets
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- A collaborative mindset, comfortable working across teams in a matrix environment
Bonus Points For
- Experience working with technology‑enabled or digital consumer businesses
- Knowledge of onboarding processes, contract negotiation, or operational delivery in B2B environments
- Experience representing a business at industry events or exhibitions
Benefits
- Uncapped bonus scheme
- 33 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), plus up to 5 extra with long service
- Option to purchase additional holiday
- Your birthday off
- 2 volunteering days per year
- Enhanced parental leave (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at full pay)
- Pension with employer contributions
- Discounted stays at Forest Holidays & Sykes Cottages
- Exclusive discounts to support wellbeing
- Health cash plan & life assurance
- Training & development opportunities
- 24/7 mental health support
- On‑site gym & parking (Chester HQ, near train station)
- Employee savings scheme
- Long service awards & company events
About Sykes Holiday Cottages
With over 30 years’ industry experience, Sykes Holiday Cottages has grown into one of the fastest‑growing holiday let agencies in the UK, offering over 23,000 holiday homes across the UK and Ireland.
Join Our Team
We value diversity and inclusion. If you need adjustments for the recruitment process, please let us know.
Client Development Manager in Chester employer: Sykes Cottages
Contact Detail:
Sykes Cottages Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Development Manager in Chester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events and trade shows where you can meet potential clients and partners. Don’t be shy – introduce yourself, share your passion for the holiday park sector, and make those connections that could lead to new opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Tailor your pitch! When you get the chance to present to a potential client, make sure you understand their needs inside out. Show them how your solutions can specifically help them achieve their goals – it’s all about making it personal and relevant.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay organised! Keep track of your leads and follow up regularly. Use a CRM tool or even a simple spreadsheet to manage your pipeline effectively. This way, you won’t miss any opportunities and can ensure you’re always moving towards that signed contract.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to join our team. By applying directly, you’ll show us your enthusiasm and commitment to being part of our journey in expanding the holiday parks portfolio.
We think you need these skills to ace Client Development Manager in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Client Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in B2B sales and any relevant achievements that align with our goals at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Relationship Skills: Since this role is all about building partnerships, don’t forget to emphasise your relationship-building skills. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with clients or stakeholders in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your key points stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role as quickly as possible!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sykes Cottages
✨Know Your Client Development Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the role of a Client Development Manager. Familiarise yourself with the holiday parks industry, key players, and current trends. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to expanding their portfolio.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to build and maintain relationships. Think of specific instances where you've successfully engaged with clients or stakeholders, and be ready to discuss how you tailored solutions to meet their needs.
✨Master the Art of Pitching
Since this role involves delivering engaging pitches, practice your presentation skills. Create a mock pitch for a hypothetical client and focus on how you would tailor your approach based on their unique requirements. This will demonstrate your consultative sales approach.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Market Insights
Research the competition and market landscape before your interview. Be prepared to share insights on what you think makes a compelling commercial proposition in the holiday parks sector. This shows your commercial awareness and strategic thinking.