Business Development Manager

Overview As Business Development Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success of our global summits, digital media and intelligence products. You’ll sell high-value strategic partnership programmes to forge innovation and sustainability across the agri‑food‑tech ecosystem. The role would suit someone who thrives on winning new business and is driven to exceed personal targets while playing a pivotal role in achieving overall team commercial goals. You will make an impact on the global agriculture, food and nutrition communities, ensuring our clients achieve maximum ROI and long‑term partnerships are fostered to contribute to the long‑term growth of our communities.

Department: SalesLocation: Brighton

What You’ll Be Doing

• Commercial Growth & Sales Leadership: driving new business development through proactive outreach and consultative selling, as well as developing existing accounts; achieving and exceeding sponsorship revenue targets across multiple integrated partnerships programmes spanning events and digital media.
• Strategic Account Management: building and nurturing high‑value long‑term relationships with C‑Suite executives and global brands to create account plans that maximise commercial opportunities; understanding client objectives and delivering tailored solutions that address specific challenges to drive ROI and renewals.
• Market Intelligence & Collaboration: staying ahead of trends in agri‑tech, food‑tech, and sustainability, maintaining a deep understanding of the markets and competitor events; collaborating cross‑functionally with production and marketing to craft compelling propositions; positioning William Reed as a strategic growth partner and representing the global brands at international conferences, supporting sponsors and driving renewals.

What You’ll Need

• Proven track record in B2B sales, ideally in business development and within conferences or media selling multiple products.
• Track record of new business acquisition and revenue generation.
• Experience closing deals with and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen and a strategic mindset to understand client objectives, ROI and marketing effectiveness.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• A proactive, driven approach in fast‑paced, target‑led environments.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms.
• Ability to speak additional languages, especially Portuguese, would be highly advantageous.
• Flexibility in working hours and a willingness to travel internationally for events.

Benefits & Initiatives

• 6.6 weeks of annual leave (pro‑rata for part‑time); equivalent to 25 days plus standard England and Wales bank holidays for full‑time colleagues.
• One additional day holiday per year after 6 years’ service, up to a maximum of 7.6 weeks of annual leave (pro‑rata for part‑time); equivalent to 30 days plus standard England and Wales bank holidays for full‑time colleagues.
• A holiday purchase scheme allowing employees to purchase up to 3 additional days of annual leave and spread the cost over up to 6 months.
• One paid volunteering day per year to support a charity or community initiative of your choice.
• Hybrid and agile working opportunities (role dependent).
• Enhanced pension contributions above statutory minimum.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Group income protection.
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave pay entitlements.
• Well‑being benefits, including a health care cash plan, employee assistance programme, virtual GP service and access to health & wellbeing resources and tools.
• Equity, diversity & inclusion initiatives, supported by employee‑led networks; proud to be a disability confident committed employer.
• Cycle to work scheme (subject to satisfactory completion of probationary period).
• Electric car scheme (subject to satisfactory completion of probationary period).

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