The Black Diamond – Northampton
About The Black Diamond
The Black Diamond is a large, licensed function and events venue in Northampton with a fantastic space capable of hosting a wide range of private, corporate and community events.
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Venue Sales & Business Development Manager to take responsibility for increasing the number of events and bookings at the venue.
This is a sales role, not simply an events coordination position.
We need someone who knows how to find potential customers, make contact, develop relationships, arrange venue visits and turn enquiries and prospects into confirmed bookings.
The Role
You will be responsible for actively generating new business and increasing revenue from our function and events space.
You will identify and target businesses, organisations, groups and individuals who could use The Black Diamond for their events.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Proactively finding new customers and generating leads
- Making outbound sales calls and contacting prospective clients
- Developing relationships with local and regional businesses
- Selling venue hire for corporate and private events
- Following up enquiries and converting them into bookings
- Arranging and conducting venue viewings
- Preparing quotations and proposals
- Negotiating with customers and closing sales
- Developing repeat business and long-term client relationships
- Building a strong sales pipeline
- Networking with local businesses and organisations
- Identifying new markets and opportunities for the venue
- Promoting the venue to companies, clubs, societies and community organisations
- Working with the management team to maximise available dates
- Maintaining accurate records of leads, enquiries and bookings
- Meeting agreed sales and revenue targets
Types of Business We Want You to Generate
We want someone who can think beyond traditional parties and weddings.
Potential business includes:
- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Training and seminar days
- Networking events
- Weddings and receptions
- Birthday and anniversary celebrations
- Funerals and wakes
- Charity events
- Awards evenings
- Exhibitions and trade events
- Markets and fairs
- Clubs and societies
- Dance and fitness classes
- Community events
- Product launches
- School and college events
- Private parties
- Regular daytime venue hire
About You
We are looking for someone with proven experience in sales and business development, ideally within hospitality, events, hotels, conference centres, function venues or a similar environment.
You should be:
- An experienced salesperson with a proven track record of winning new business
- Confident making outbound calls and approaching new customers
- Commercially minded and target-driven
- Excellent at building relationships
- Confident negotiating and closing deals
- Self-motivated and able to work independently
- Professional and personable
- Persistent and highly organised
- Comfortable meeting business owners and decision-makers
- Able to identify opportunities rather than waiting for enquiries to arrive
Previous experience in venue sales is highly desirable.
Experience in any of the following would be particularly valuable:
Hotel sales | Conference & Banqueting | Wedding Venue Sales | Function Venue Sales | Events Sales | Hospitality Business Development | Corporate Events
Most Important Requirement
You must be able to demonstrate that you have personally generated new business.
We are not looking for someone whose previous role was primarily administering events that had already been booked.
We want a hunter — someone who enjoys finding opportunities, making the call, getting the meeting, showing the venue and closing the booking.
What We Offer
- £28,000–£35,000 basic salary depending on experience
- Commission scheme linked to new business generated
- Full-time permanent position
- Significant opportunity to develop the role
- A fantastic venue with substantial potential for growth
- Freedom to develop your own sales strategy
- Support from the management team
- Opportunity to build a significant personal client portfolio
How to Apply
Please send your CV along with a brief explanation of:
1. Your previous experience selling venues, events or hospitality services.
2. An example of new business you personally generated.
3. How you would approach generating new bookings for The Black Diamond.
Candidates who can demonstrate a strong track record of new business generation and venue sales will be prioritised.
Pay: £28,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Profit sharing
- Referral programme
Work Location: In person
