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
1. A video-call with our Head of People
2. An in-person interview with our General Manager
3. An in-person interview with our Managing Director