Business Development Executive

Company Description The Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau is a public-private partnership and the official events bureau for Ireland's Shannon Region (Limerick, Clare and Tipperary). Its professional advisory team supports event planners impartially and free of any charges or commissions. The Bureau provides expert guidance to help deliver memorable meetings, conferences, exhibitions, incentive travel programs, elite athlete training camps, and sporting events.

Applicants will join an organization that promotes the Shannon Region as a premier destination for business and sports events, with a strong focus on service quality and regional development.

Job Purpose

To support the development and conversion of international Business Events and Sports Tourism opportunities for the Shannon Region and contribute to the continued growth and profile of Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau.

Working with the General Manager, Bureau members, ambassadors and regional stakeholders, the Business Development Executive will play a key role in developing new business, progressing opportunities and strengthening the region’s position as a destination for international conferences and sporting events.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, identify and develop new Bid opportunities for the Shannon Region.
• Maintain accurate and timely information on leads, opportunities and ambassadors through the Bureau's CRM.
• Develop and progress leads from initial opportunity through to conversion, including client follow-up and liaison with relevant regional partners.
• Assist in the recruitment of ambassadors who have the ability to bid for international conferences and events.
• Knowledge and awareness of social media and communication (i.e. content creation, newsletter preparation and issue etc)
• Coordinate bids, proposals and expressions of interest for prospective conferences and sporting events.
• Plan and deliver site inspections and familiarisation visits in collaboration with regional venues, accommodation providers, tourism businesses and other partners.
• Represent the Bureau and Shannon Region through relevant local, national and international sales activity, trade events, workshops and industry engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Bureau members, industry partners, regional stakeholders, ambassadors and prospective clients.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of the region's venues, accommodation, sporting infrastructure, visitor experiences and wider destination offering.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration that strengthen the region's proposition and support the generation and conversion of new business.
• Contribute to member engagement, destination promotion, communications, sustainability and wider Bureau activity as required.

Person Specification

Candidates should have relevant 2 years relevant experience within business development and sales.

Knowledge or experience of Events, Conferences and Sports Tourism, destination tourism, international sales or incentive travel would be advantageous.

A qualification in business, tourism, event management, marketing or a related discipline would be desirable but is not essential.

The ideal candidate would have a strong administrative background and competency with PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Canva, previous experience with CRM such as Salesforce.

The role will suit someone who enjoys building relationships, developing opportunities and working across a varied range of activity within a small and ambitious organisation demonstrating a passion for the Shannon Region.

Key Competencies

• Business Development
• Relationship Management
• Planning & Organisation
• Business Communication
• Commercial Awareness

Location, Remote Working & Mobility

This role will, in most instances, operate on a remote-working basis, the successful candidate must therefore be comfortable working independently and managing their own schedule, workload, and business development activity effectively.

Weekly in-person meetings with the General Manager will take place at an agreed meeting location, and attendance will be required.

The role also requires regular attendance at meetings, site inspections, familiarisation visits, networking opportunities, industry functions, and other events throughout the Shannon Region and elsewhere as required.

Due to the nature of the position and the geographical area covered, the successful candidate must hold a full valid driving licence and have access to their own car.

Travel & Flexibility

The position will involve regular travel throughout Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, together with travel to other parts of Ireland as required.

The role will also include international travel to represent the Bureau and Shannon Region at trade shows, sales missions, industry meetings, conferences, and other relevant events, the successful candidate must therefore be willing and able to undertake national and international travel as required by the role.

Travel and other reasonable business expenses incurred while carrying out the duties of the role will be reimbursed in accordance with the Bureau's agreed expenses policy.

Some evening and weekend work will be necessary from time to time, particularly in connection with events, client visits, familiarisation trips, and trade activity.

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