Business Events Sales Manager

Internal Recruitment Specialist and Co-Chair of EmbRace EDI Network at The Growth Company

Location: Manchester

The Growth Company’s (GC) Marketing Manchester team has an exciting new opportunity for a Business Event Sales Manager a key role within the city’s official bureau, focused on promoting Manchester as a world-class destination for national and international conferences and major events. Working closely with the Senior International Bid Manager and wider team, you’ll contribute to KPIs by identifying new pipeline and bid opportunities, managing a portfolio of client accounts, securing events for the city, and supporting the delivery of the sales strategy across key markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of accounts, building strong relationships with meetings planners, decision makers, and partners.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities, including writing bespoke bids to attract targeted conferences to Manchester.
• Represent Manchester at trade shows, events, and sales missions to generate leads and support team KPIs.
• Collaborate with associations, corporate clients, PCOs, and the Manchester Conference Ambassador to enhance the city’s profile.
• Provide end‑to‑end account management, working closely with Accommodation Booking and Venue Location Service teams.
• Promote Manchester’s services within bids and presentations, ensuring sustainable destination practices are embedded.
• Support monthly reporting on sales activity, targets, and KPIs, and contribute to revenue generation and local economic impact.
• Be flexible to travel nationally/internationally and work occasional evenings/weekends as required.

About You

• A proactive and dynamic individual who thrives in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
• A confident communicator with the ability to build long‑term relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• A self‑starter who works well independently and collaboratively, with strong organisational and time‑management skills.
• Passionate about Manchester and its potential as a global conference destination, with a commitment to The Growth Company values.

Skills Required

• Proven ability in sales and to manage accounts and develop new business within the conference, events, tourism, or hospitality sectors.
• Strong negotiation and presentation skills, with experience working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and reporting tools, with a keen eye for detail and performance tracking.
• Knowledge of the national and international conference landscape and how to engage effectively with industry stakeholders.

Marketing Manchester is part of The Growth Company (GC). GC is a unique multi-service delivery provider with a responsibility for delivering growth and prosperity for the city-region and beyond. GC is commercial in its ambitions, yet not‑for‑profit. The variety of audiences will mean the marketing function will have to deploy innovative effective B2B activity to influence c‑suite decision makers; alongside influencing partners including national government departments and ultimately providing real purpose in a challenging and target performance environment.

To understand more about Marketing Manchester, please visit: marketingmanchester.com – Manchester’s promotional agency.

You will be based at the Head Office in Manchester with agile working options.

We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.

At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate.

Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.

We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.

If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.

We also aim to make our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. If you need reasonable adjustments or have any general enquiries at any stage or the recruitment process, please contact careers@growthco.uk or call us on 0161 237 4447.

• Meeting the hiring manager or touring the venue in advance
• Extra time for tasks
• Interview questions shared beforehand
• Accessibility software or equipment for assessments

We’re proud to support the Ban the Box campaign, which helps people with convictions access job opportunities. As part of this, we’ve removed questions about convictions from the initial application stage.

GC is committed to fostering a culture of flexibility and agile working. Many roles will increasingly support full agile arrangements. If you require more permanent flexibility, we encourage you to discuss this during your interview so your request can be considered early in the process.

All GC colleagues will work inline with the Health & Safety at work act and the GC Health & Safety Policy.

Seniority level: Not Applicable

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Management and Manufacturing

Industries: Non‑profit Organizations