Overview
As Senior Business Development Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success of our global summits. You'll lead high-value sponsorship sales, forge strategic partnerships, and mentor junior team members — driving innovation and sustainability across the agri-food-tech ecosystem. The role suits someone who thrives on winning new business and is driven to exceed personal targets while contributing to the team’s overall commercial goals, including supporting the development of and mentoring junior members of the sales team. You will also work closely with production and marketing teams to ensure sponsors achieve maximum ROI and long-term partnerships are fostered.
Responsibilities
* Driving new business development through proactive outreach and consultative selling
* Achieving and exceeding sponsorship revenue targets across multiple international events
* Leading by example, mentoring junior sales colleagues and contributing to a high-performance culture
* Strategic Account Management: Building and nurturing long-term relationships with C-suite executives and global brands
* Understanding client goals and delivering tailored sponsorship solutions that drive ROI and renewals
* Market Intelligence & Collaboration: Staying ahead of trends in agri-tech, food-tech, and sustainability, and maintaining a deep understanding of the markets and competitor events
* Collaborating cross-functionally with production and marketing to craft compelling propositions
* Representing Rethink Events at global conferences, supporting sponsors and driving renewals
What you’ll need
* Proven track record in B2B sponsorship sales, ideally in conferences or media
* Experience closing complex deals with senior stakeholders and global brands
* Strong commercial acumen and a strategic mindset
* Excellent communication and negotiation skills
* A proactive, driven approach in fast-paced, target-led environments
* Experience mentoring or coaching junior colleagues
* Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms
* Flexibility in working hours and a willingness to travel internationally for events
About William Reed / Rethink Events
We are William Reed. We are a global media group delivering exceptional content through events, digital, data & insight. From agribusiness, ingredients and food processing, to retail, hospitality & fine dining - we provide the inspiration, insight and connections to power our customers\' success. Rethink Events produces world-leading summits focused on innovation, investment, and sustainability in agriculture, food, water, and energy. Its conferences bring together senior executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to accelerate technology adoption and address global challenges. We have offices in Gatwick, Brighton and London, UK; Montpellier, France; Singapore and Chicago, US. The successful candidate will work from our Brighton office.
We provide a supportive work environment and are committed to maintaining a healthy work/life balance for all of our employees. Working for William Reed means that you will be joining a stable organisation that is committed to developing its employees and brands. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from talented individuals of all backgrounds and characteristics.
Benefits
* 25 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays - increasing by one additional day after 6 years, up to a maximum of 30 days
* An additional day of leave for you to take on a cultural celebration day or on your birthday — a day for you, the "MeDay"
* A volunteer day to support a chosen charity
* Contributory Pension
* Life Assurance Scheme
* Group Income Protection
* Enhanced family-friendly leave pay entitlements
* Wellbeing benefits, including health care cash plan, Employee assistance programme, Virtual GP service, and access to health & wellbeing resources
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* Electric Car Scheme
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