Business Development Executive (Graduate)

At Xpofairs, we are building an evolving digital trade show solution that is modernising how businesses exhibit, connect, and trade — globally, efficiently, and at scale. Our approach combines smart technology with a practical, commercial focus: reducing friction, cost, and waste from traditional events, while helping exhibitors and visitors achieve better outcomes.

This is a unique opportunity for someone interested in business development, sales, and commercial growth to join us at an early-stage startup. You will work directly on sourcing and converting exhibitors, shaping outreach and messaging, and helping us scale across multiple industries. You will see the impact of your work immediately and gain hands‑on experience.

We’re especially keen to hear from graduates and/or early‑career candidates who are genuinely eager to learn — and who want to be trained, coached, and developed as we build the business and culture.

• This is an outbound, people‑facing role — we’re looking for someone confident, personable, and comfortable speaking with people throughout the day.
• Research and build targeted exhibitor lists across the UK, USA, and international markets.
• Identify decision-makers (founders, commercial directors, sales/marketing leaders) and run structured outreach via email, phone, and LinkedIn.
• Manage outreach sequences, follow‑ups, and pipeline progress with pace and discipline.
• Lead exhibitor calls and platform demos, clearly explaining the show proposition and value.
• Handle objections and negotiate participation with confidence and professionalism.
• Convert interest into confirmed participation and onboarding.
• Be the main point of contact for exhibitors pre‑show: maintain momentum, coordinate onboarding steps, and ensure readiness.
• Build long‑term relationships to drive repeat participation, referrals, and partnerships.
• Develop partnership opportunities that improve exhibitor supply and visitor demand.
• Improve sales assets, messaging, and workflows as we grow into new industries and regions.

This is a commercial role with clear performance expectations. You will be measured on:

• Activity: outbound calls, emails, LinkedIn outreach, follow‑ups completed.
• Conversations: decision‑maker meetings booked and completed.
• Conversions: exhibitors signed/onboarded and participation confirmed.
• CRM quality: accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of logging and pipeline updates.

• Strong written and verbal communication, with confidence speaking to business decision-makers.
• Comfortable with outbound prospecting and building a pipeline from scratch.
• Highly organised with strong follow‑through and prioritisation.
• Excellent attention to detail — you take pride in getting information correct.
• CRM discipline is vital: you will be expected to log all activity, outcomes, notes, and next steps accurately and keep pipeline stages up to date.

Ideally educated to degree level (minimum 2:1 or higher). We care most about commercial potential, professionalism, and the discipline required to run a structured outreach process and maintain accurate CRM records. We will also consider exceptional candidates educated to A‑level standard (or equivalent) who can demonstrate strong communication skills and commercial drive.

• Exposure to SMEs (through work experience, internships, or customer‑facing roles).
• Experience in outreach, events, marketing, or a commercial environment.
• Jovial, upbeat, naturally personable, and energised by speaking with people all day.
• Resilient and optimistic; handles rejection professionally and bounces back quickly.
• Analytically sharp and commercially curious — enjoys learning industries and spotting opportunities.
• Team‑first attitude, with the maturity to operate in a busy startup environment.

We are driven by solving the rising personal, financial, and environmental costs of traditional trade shows and making international trade more accessible, efficient, and scalable. You can expect a high‑energy culture, rapid learning, and the opportunity to work with fascinating businesses across multiple industries. Offices in Wimbledon, London. Opportunity to travel.

If you’re excited about this opportunity, please apply with your CV and a short cover letter or note. Please include the word “opportunity” to confirm you have read this advert.