Business Development Manager - Events

Who we are

We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the “red thread” that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence-based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them.

We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and clients in 170 countries through our four businesses, The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity. 

The Economist Group is the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs. We deliver our information through a range of formats, from newspapers and magazines to conferences and electronic services. What ties us together is the objectivity of our opinion, the originality of our insight and our advocacy of economic and political freedom around the world. 

The Economist Events is the leading provider of international forums for senior executives seeking new insights into strategic issues. These meetings (virtual and in person) include industry conferences, management events and government roundtables held around the world. Each meeting organised by the events teams delivers objective and informed analysis. Meetings provide unusually high-level forums where senior executives can gain insights, exchange views and compare strategies. 

We are recruiting a Business Development Manager to grow sponsorship revenue within each of our market leading Sustainability and Trade, Technology and Industry Portfolios of scheduled, multi-sponsor events and custom events across our EMEA and North America region. We are seeking seasoned event sales experts to: 

• Manage the entire business development process (prospect, qualify, proposal, negotiate and close) and work effectively with other functions across The Economist Group
• Maintain personal responsibility and maximise revenue for a defined portfolio ● Grow a new client portfolio
• Act as the Global Sales Lead on identified event franchise(s) if and when required ● Support the sponsorship delivery process 

How will you contribute? 

• Achieve and exceed the revenue target on a consistent basis 
• Produce accurate and regular sales forecasts for the personal territory 
• Take responsibility for the creation, development and execution of new products
• Build relationships with clients to maximise revenue opportunities and grow future business 
• Sell sponsorship on the full range of our event products, including custom, multi-sponsor and virtual events 
• Construct and send necessary proposals, pricing, and contracts 
• Work effectively with a cross functional team, including event programming, thought leadership sales, marketing, advertising sales and other group divisions
• Deliver a minimum of 30 substantive sales conversations per month 
• Coordinate the sales effort at global level, lead the global commercial strategy with the goal of hitting global sales targets, support global client conversations, provide advice and feedback to regional sales colleagues as needed; act as the central facilitator for client knowledge sharing 

The ideal skills for this role are: 

• Experience of new business and account management skills 
• Proven commercial event experience in a similar selling capacity 
• Experience presenting to and negotiating with senior decision makers of large multi-national corporations 
• Knowledge of the events and sponsorship industry 
• Good understanding of and a keen interest in international business and current affairs 
• Strong project management skills 
• A real appetite for business development
• Excellent organisational and time management skills 
• Strong communication and negotiation skills; confident and professional manner
• Highly motivated, reliable, organized, driven and a problem solver
• A good team player and a willingness to travel 
• Fluency in English and a business competence in another European language preferred

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What we offer

Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program.

We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year. In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home.

You will also be given free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.