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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to drive sales and exceed targets in event management.
- Company: Join The Jockey Club, the heart of British racing and live events.
- Benefits: Enjoy free race day tickets, generous leave, and an award-winning pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant culture that values diversity and teamwork in a thrilling industry.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience with a passion for events and exceptional communication skills required.
- Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term role based at Cheltenham Racecourse.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Based at: Cheltenham Racecourse
Contract type: 12-month Fixed Term
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
About the role
We are looking for a dynamic Conference & Events Sales Manager to join our Customer & Commercial team at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse, home to The Centaur indoor event space. This is a thrilling opportunity for a proven sales leader to take charge of a high-performing team of Sales Executives, driving results and smashing financial targets in the heart of the sports industry. If you are ready to lead with impact, this role is your chance to shine.
About The Jockey Club
The Jockey Club stages sporting occasions and live events nationwide including The Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival and The Derby. Recognised as the home of racing, Newmarket Racecourses host some of the most thrilling fixtures including the Guineas and the July festival as well as a wide range of music nights. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food and entertainment on racedays and beyond.
As the largest commercial group in British racing, we are guided by our mission to act for the long term good of the sport. Every penny we make goes back into racing to promote excellence within Britain's second biggest spectator sport. Our people are what makes this possible. At The Jockey Club, people are at the heart of what we do and drive our success. We are inclusive and actively seek to attract people with unique backgrounds and perspectives. Diverse, collaborative teams are pivotal to our success and support the potential and growth of all our people.
The Conference & Events Sales Manager will:
- Drive the C&E budget for Cheltenham Racecourse, ensuring both profit and revenue targets are met and exceeded.
- Deliver a market-leading, creative C&E offering that aligns with regional trends and sets the standard in the industry.
- Be a pivotal member of the Cheltenham team, offering support to smaller courses as needed.
- Maximise revenue and profit by executing sales activity plans, leveraging sales cycles, and employing cutting-edge commercial management techniques.
- Develop and implement a robust account management plan to fully capitalise on commercial opportunities from key existing clients.
- Oversee the achievement of team KPIs, conducting regular one-on-ones to maintain high performance standards.
- Collaborate with the Head of C&E on business strategy while motivating the sales team to proactively drive results.
- Stay commercially savvy, with a keen understanding of competitor pricing, local market dynamics, and demand drivers, to optimise revenue and profit.
- Partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure customer service levels in the region are industry leading.
- Foster a working environment that prioritises revenue management and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with the catering team to ensure top-tier F&B and service standards that outshine local and regional competitors.
About you
- Proven Sales Manager with a strong track record in target-driven environments, consistently achieving and surpassing financial goals.
- Skilled at securing new business, with extensive experience in event sales and a genuine passion for the industry.
- Exceptional communicator, adept at leading meetings both over the phone and in person with clarity and impact.
- Expert in building and nurturing long-term relationships with clients, offering premium service that drives account growth.
- Highly organised with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
- Process-oriented, able to prioritise effectively and consistently meet deadlines.
- Inspirational leader with a proven ability to motivate and develop a team to achieve outstanding results.
What we offer in return
- All colleagues can go along to any of our race day or music events free of charge – along with 3 friends or family with our TeamPass Ticket scheme.
- An award-winning pension scheme provider with a generous employer contribution.
- A healthcare cash back plan enabling you to claim money back on health & wellbeing services.
- 25 days annual leave.
- Access to a suite of Learning & Development training resources from renowned providers.
- A whole host of other benefits including free eyecare vouchers, a ride to work cycle scheme & discounts across varying retailers & services.
If you think you have everything we are looking for and more, then we would love to hear from you. Don’t hang around, our closing date for this vacancy is July 16th but we reserve the right to bring this forward if we have a high volume of applications.
This role may be subject to a criminal record check, standard or enhanced DBS check or BHA Suitability Check. By applying you confirm that you are happy for these checks to be carried out.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Contract
Job function: Industries: Spectator Sports, Travel Arrangements, and Hospitality
Conference & Events Sales Manager employer: The Jockey Club
Contact Detail:
The Jockey Club Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Conference & Events Sales Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network within the events and hospitality industry. Attend local events, trade shows, or networking meetups to connect with professionals who might have insights or leads on the Conference & Events Sales Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Research The Jockey Club and its events thoroughly. Understanding their unique offerings and recent developments will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous sales achievements in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've met or exceeded targets, as this will showcase your capability to drive results in a similar environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the events industry, especially those relevant to sports and hospitality. Being knowledgeable about market dynamics will position you as a savvy candidate who can contribute to the team's success.
We think you need these skills to ace Conference & Events Sales Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in sales and event management. Use specific examples of how you've met or exceeded targets in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Conference & Events Sales Manager position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the events industry and your leadership skills. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive results and motivate a team, aligning with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise skills such as communication, relationship building, and organisational abilities. These are key attributes for the role, so provide examples of how you've successfully used these skills in past positions.
Show Industry Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the sports and events industry in your application. Mention any relevant trends or insights you have, and how they could impact the role at The Jockey Club.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Jockey Club
✨Showcase Your Sales Achievements
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've met or exceeded sales targets in previous roles. Highlight your strategies and the impact they had on revenue, as this will demonstrate your capability to drive results at The Jockey Club.
✨Understand the Industry Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the events and hospitality sector, particularly in relation to sports. Being able to discuss competitor pricing and local market dynamics will show that you are commercially savvy and ready to optimise revenue.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Be prepared to share your experiences in leading teams and motivating others. Discuss how you've developed team members and maintained high performance standards, as this role requires an inspirational leader who can drive a high-performing sales team.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Talk about your approach to building and nurturing long-term client relationships. Provide examples of how you've offered premium service that has led to account growth, as this is crucial for success in the Conference & Events Sales Manager role.
