Job Description

Business Development Manager - Private Hire Events @ Freight Island

Salary :

40,000 - 42,000 per annum DEO + annual discretionary bonus

Working week :

Typically Monday - Friday 09:00 -17:00
Due to the nature of our business, you will be required to work occasional evenings and weekends in line with Event needs. Time off in lieu is provided for days worked beyond Monday - Friday.

Location :

Freight Manchester, 11 Baring Street, M1 2PY

Start date :

July 2025

Located in the heart of the Depot, Mayfield amongst the historical industrial architecture lies a cultural hub of food, drink & entertainment - multi-vendor, multifaceted & multidimensional, where people meet to form new memories & explore new possibilities. An urban oasis, blurring the lines between a food hall and a festival, Freight's unique set up reflects the times. A 2500 capacity venue with 9 bars and 12 food vendors, it provides a safe and comfortable environment where guests can enjoy delicious food, great drinks, and live entertainment without any worries.

Freight Island are looking for a commercially minded Business Development Manager to lead the growth of private hire events across Freight Island venues, including Manchester and Brixton. This role is integral to driving event revenue through B2B and B2C channels, strengthening relationships with corporate and private clients, and enhancing the brand's positioning as a premier destination for events. The ideal candidate will combine deep sales expertise with a passion for hospitality, events, and guest experience, using data-driven insights to shape initiatives and meet ambitious revenue goals.

Key Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Business Development & Strategy

Identify and pursue new B2B and B2C opportunities to increase private hire bookings across all Freight Island venues. Target and build strong pipelines with corporate clients, brand activations, media partners, and high-net-worth individuals. Develop and execute a comprehensive annual sales plan, including key market segments (tech, media, finance, lifestyle, travel, etc.).

Relationship Management

Build and nurture relationships with event agencies, DMCs, concierges, PR firms, and venue sourcing platforms. Host regular site visits and client familiarisation tours to convert leads into revenue. Act as the face of the Freight Island private hire experience to external stakeholders.

Event Conversion & Coordination

Respond promptly to inbound event enquiries and proactively generate outbound sales activity. Work closely with operations, F&B, and programming teams to align event delivery with client expectations. Oversee handover process from sales to events team ensuring a seamless transition.

Sales Reporting & Performance

Monitor lead generation, conversion rates, and sales pipeline stages using CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce). Provide weekly and monthly performance reports with insights and strategic recommendations.

Marketing & Brand Activation

Collaborate with the marketing team to create engaging collateral, campaigns, and client-facing decks. Support digital marketing and PR campaigns that elevate the venue's profile for private hire.

Required Skills & Experience

3-5 years' experience in B2B or private hire event sales in hospitality, venues, or event agencies. Proven track record of exceeding sales targets and closing high-value deals. Strong network in Greater Manchester and/or London's events industry. Confident negotiator and presenter with exceptional communication skills. CRM-savvy with data fluency for reporting and forecasting. A natural relationship-builder and self-starter, able to work autonomously.

Nice to Have

Experience with immersive experiences, brand activations, or live entertainment venues. Familiarity with Freight Island or similar hybrid venues that combine food, drink, and cultural programming. Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as required by events.

Interview Process

A video-call with our Head of People An in-person interview with our General Manager An in-person interview with our Managing Director
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 40,000.00-42,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Bonus scheme
Benefits:

Casual dress
Ability to commute/relocate:

Manchester M1 2PY: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):

Tell us about your sales experience in hospitality, venues, or event agencies. How many years' experience do you have in private hire event sales? Tell us about your most impressive sale - what was the best event you ever secured? What is your average sale size? (In GBP)?
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 09/07/2025
Reference ID: BDM-MCR