Business Development Manager

SOUTH UK — FIELD-BASED | 4 DAYS ON THE ROAD, 1 DAY HOME

Business Development Manager job covering the South UK region within the luxury travel industry, offering up to £40,000 DOE plus a monthly car allowance and an uncapped bonus scheme. This is a field-based sales role focused on growing B2B retail agent partnerships, promoting a premium touring and cruising product range, and identifying new business opportunities across the territory.

Do you thrive on building genuine relationships with retail travel agent partners?

Do you have a background in travel, retail or wholesale sales and a natural ability to influence and negotiate?

Are you confident presenting to groups — from an agency team briefing to a full trade conference stage?

And do you want the autonomy of a field-based role, backed by a strong product range and clear sales targets to aim for?

Our Customer

Our client is a well-established name in premium guided touring and cruising, known for delivering exceptional travel experiences across a global collection of destinations. With decades of industry experience and a loyal international customer base, they have built a strong reputation for quality, service and reliability.

They are now seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth across the South UK territory — building strong relationships with retail agent partners, raising brand awareness, and identifying new B2B and B2C opportunities to support the wider sales strategy.

The Role

• Identify key B2B growth markets, categories and prospects aligned with the wider sales strategy
• Develop, maintain and implement activity and business plans to maximise revenue growth
• Motivate retail agents through seminars, workshops, webinars and marketing collateral
• Host familiarisation trips for agents to build first‑hand product knowledge
• Deliver presentations to large and small groups to promote the product range
• Monitor competitor and market activity, identifying new opportunities for growth
• Represent the brand at travel shows, trade events, product launches and promotions
• Attend national and international industry conferences when required
• Manage sales budgets and evaluate ROI on all sales spend
• Provide monthly market intelligence reports covering feedback, competitors and trends

Experience Required

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a Business Development, Agency Sales or Account Management role
• Previous sales experience within travel, retail or wholesale
• Outgoing, confident and self‑motivated with strong organisational skills
• Proven relationship management and negotiation skills
• Exceptional presentation and training skills
• Comfortable analysing and evaluating sales opportunities
• A collaborative approach, sharing information across teams and departments
• Proficient in MS Office, particularly PowerPoint, and confident with new technology
• Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, with frequent travel and overnight stays during peak seasons
• 4 days in the field, 1 day working from home
• Up to £40,000 DOE
• Monthly car allowance
• Uncapped bonus scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Familiarisation trips to experience the product range firsthand
• Wellbeing programme and learning & development opportunities
• Work From Anywhere for up to 10 days per year

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for a Business Development Manager in luxury travel?

This role offers up to £40,000 DOE, plus a monthly car allowance and an uncapped bonus scheme. Ambitions Travel Recruitment will confirm the full package in detail with shortlisted candidates.

What does the field-based working pattern look like in this role?

Four days per week are spent on the road across the South UK territory, with one day working from home. Frequent travel and occasional overnight stays are required, particularly during peak season.

Is travel industry experience required?

Previous sales experience within travel, retail or wholesale is required for this role. Ambitions Travel Recruitment will fully brief all shortlisted candidates before interview.

What does a Business Development Manager role in travel involve?

A Business Development Manager in travel drives B2B and B2C growth by building relationships with retail agent partners, promoting products through events and training, and identifying new commercial opportunities across a defined territory.

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