Business Development Manager

Do you have a taste for success and a knack for building lasting relationships? Are you driven by growing a brand that turns events into unforgettable culinary experiences? If you’re ready to take your career to the next level with one of the leading event caterers in the industry, we are very excited to hear from you.

Searcys are looking to grow their business development team, to enable them to expand their portfolio further across the next 5 years.

As our Business Development Manager, you’ll be the key ingredient in expanding our client base and driving revenue growth. You’ll blend your passion for food with your strategic acumen, identifying new opportunities and cultivating partnerships that put our exquisite catering at the heart of London’s most talked-about events.

You will need to have a proven track record in business development, ideally within the events or hospitality industry, a deep understanding of the luxury catering market and strong networking skills and a natural ability to nurture client relationships.

If you’re ready to bring your business development expertise to a brand that’s synonymous with luxury and quality, we’d love to hear from you.

As a Business Development Manager you will receive the following industry leading benefits:

• 50% discount across Searcys venues
• Enrolment into the Searcys pension scheme
• Up to 38 days annual leave (dependant on job role)
• Access to everyday discounts and communication portal
• Employee assistance programme
• Enrolment into Searcys Champagne School
• Annual celebration event
• Cycle to work scheme
• Meals provided on shift when working within one of our venue
• A day off to volunteer / give back to the charity of your choice
• Access to everyday discounts and communication portal
• Employee assistance programme
• Your birthday off to celebrate in style
• A day off to volunteer / give back to the charity of your choice

As business development manager you will be pivotal to our growth strategy, think strategically, have a profound understanding of the restaurant, bar and event catering landscape

Job Type: Full Time

Salary: Competitive

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth
• Meet or exceed annual sales targets (Annual Revenue and In The Year Revenue)
• Develop and execute strategies to expand our client base and make inroads into untapped markets

Pipeline & Prospect Management
• Effectively nurture and develop the pipeline to ensure a continuous flow of opportunities that will support delivery of the annual sales target
• Management and timely submission of all sales reporting requirements

Bid Preparation and Production
• ‘Own’ the tender process including preparation of prequalification documents, tender and proposal documents to a high standard that positively represents the company
• Manage the planning and co-ordination of reference site visits for potential clients and consultants

Compelling presentations
• Construct and deliver persuasive presentations that effectively showcase our expertise and unique proposition

Contract Negotiation and Finalisation
• Lead negotiations with prospective clients, ensuring agreements align with company goals and standards. Skilfully navigate contract discussions and ensure seamless contract execution.
• Support the mobilisation process through an effective sales to operations handover process.

Effective Working Practices
• Content management – maintain an up to date library of text and case studies
• Team relationships – develop productive working relationships with all cross functional experts as required to support the delivery of your objectives.

Market Insight
• Undertake comprehensive market research to identify emerging trends, competitors' activities, and evolving client preferences. Utilize insights to refine and enrich our offer.

• Results and target oriented
• Relentless in your pursuit of excellence
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Excellent communication skills
• Knowledge of commercial event, restaurant and retail catering
• Passionate about food and service
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Excellent planning and organisation skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Patience and an ability to work under pressure/to deadlines
• Tenacious
• Prior bid writing / proposal management / sales experience is desirable with an understanding of the bid management process / development of win themes / storyboarding
• An ability to engage positively with individuals of different seniority internally and externally
• Good IT skills including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

We are the oldest caterer in the UK, having been founded in 1847, working with us will give you an opportunity to be part of some of London’s most prestigious events, gaining insights and mentoring from skilled and experienced colleagues, as well as getting a chance to be part of a storied legacy in the hospitality industry.

A career at Searcys means you are part of something special, we are an employer with a rich history, and an established reputation which will provide you with an enormous sense of pride and belonging.

To find out more on the rich history of Searcys, please visit our website at www.searcys.co.uk