Job Role: Head of Business Solutions Salary:£55,207 - £59,049 ( Effective from 1st August 2025, £61,673 - £64,469) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY This role is a member of the Senior Management Team and contributes to the overall strategic direction of Tourism NI. The role holder will be responsible for delivering increased international distribution and sales in the travel trade, business tourism and golf tourism sectors. Main Duties The post-holder will be responsible for the following areas of activity: 1.Lead a team whose remit is to stimulate demand using targeted research and market intelligence to build capability among both sellers and buyers. 2.Work with partners such as Tourism Ireland to establish effective sales platforms and develop and deliver business development plans to secure increased distribution for the Northern Ireland tourism industrys products and experiences. 3.Be accountable and responsible for managing an annual budget of approx. £1.8 million per annum to deliver all agreed programmes of activity to secure new business for Northern Irelands tourism industry. Business Development Strategy 1.Partner with other organisations and agencies, such as Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Visit Britain etc. to develop and deliver on behalf of the industry an engagement programme to support business development across target markets. 2.Monitor and evaluate the sales leads pipelines to ensure annual targets are met. 3.Develop strategic partnerships with key Tour Operators, Destination Management Companies and industry sectoral bodies. 4.Drive the implementation of the Golf Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland 5.Ensure Tourism NI is a strong voice across the island and internationally in the areas of golf, business tourism, luxury travel and travel trade. 6.Support the Director of Marketing in the development and overseeing the implementation of the Business Events, Golf and Travel Trade Strategies for Northern Ireland. 7.Lead on the business development programme to attract business events to Northern Ireland. Building Sales Capability 1.Develop best practice models of international business development. 2.Audit and analyse skills gaps in international business development and design and deliver plans to upskill Tourism NIs teams to work effectively to meet KPIs, and to contribute to the upskilling of the industry to sell Northern Ireland as a world class destination. 3Collate and analyse the market intelligence around consumer trends and emerging markets, supplied by the Insights & Intelligence Team and wider Business Solutions Team, to assist in finding new markets for Tourism NIs products/experiences and to support product development. 4.Develop insights from the market intelligence gathered and analyse and disseminate it to colleagues and partner agencies. 5.Use insights and own expertise to bring creative and innovative ideas to build capability of both the industry and Tourism NIs teams. 6.To be responsible for driving an outcomes-driven culture where the team can deliver consistently high performance and be accountable for the management and development in the team, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and procedures. 7.To be responsible and accountable for the implementation of the business development strategy and annual operating plan targets that fit with the organisations overall goals. Development of International Sales Platforms 1.Work collaboratively with partners and groups to develop strategic partnerships with industry experts that deliver tactical and strategic sales. 2.Establish relationships with key channel intermediaries and communicate their needs to tourism providers in Northern Ireland. 3.Develop and deliver a programme of promotions events, familiarisation visits; and overseas sales missions that support the Northern Ireland tourism industry to generate and convert leisure sales leads across target markets. 4.Oversee a structured programme of evaluation of all interventions to define the impact on sales volume and revenue. Resource Management 1.Ensure performance appraisal, personal action and development plans are in place with agreed key performance indicators to ensure teams are skilled to deliver the Corporate objectives. 2.Coaching and mentoring of the team in managing their key projects and in engaging proactively with the stakeholders. 3.Convene regular team meetings to facilitate communication of organisation and team issues and performance, in order to contribute to the achievement of Tourism NIs strategic targets and objectives. 4.Manage and control the workflows of employees to ensure organisation standards are met. 5.Take full responsibility for the efficient and effective management of all governance and compliance aspects of the Business Solutions service. 6.Be responsible for all financial planning and spend, monitoring all financial activity of the Business Solutions teams against budget. Corporate Management 1.As a member of the Senior Management Team, actively contribute to the purpose, vision, strategic direction, and sustainability of the organisation. 2.Contribute to the wider corporate management of Tourism NI. 3.Drive a culture of high performance, ensuring all team members have the opportunity to succeed and develop professionally. 4.Be a champion for values-based behaviours and positive engagement and ensure that all activities are managed in line with Tourism NI policies and procedures. 5. Be a trusted adviser on the policy implications of specific cross-functional development initiatives. 6.Keep up to date with the latest developments in the business solutions landscape, communicating and implementing change within the organisation as required. 7.Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as required by Tourism Northern Ireland. PERSON SPECIFICATION Option 1 1. A relevant sixth-level qualification (undergraduate degree) as detailed in the qualification framework (see overleaf) AND 2.A minimum of 4 years management* experience successfully developing business development strategies and translating strategy into deliverable programmes and targets. Option 2 1.A minimum of 6 years management* experience successfully developing and business development strategies and translating strategy into deliverable programmes and targets. *Management is defined as experience gained at the middle management levels of an organisation or at Deputy Principal grade*. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL CRITERIA - PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS The post holder will be able to demonstrate an exceptional standard in the following competences: 1.Communication and writing skills with demonstrable ability to produce and deliver high quality, effective presentations and concise, coherent written proposals, documents and messaging. 2.Numerical and analytical skills with experience in analysing data and using insights to drive strategies for sustained success in business development. 3. Knowledge of international distribution channels and experience in international business development. 4.Ability to manage significant budgets. 5. Strong leadership and organisational skills with ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines. 6. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and networks with partners, stakeholders and key people in industry and a proven track record of successfully influencing multiple stakeholders. PREFERRED CRITERIA 1. Relevant experience of business development on behalf of a tourism organisation. 2.Fluent in languages in addition to English. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This is not an exhaustive list of duties and requirements. The nature of the organisation is such that it must respond to the dynamic environment in which it operates and the nature of duties, tasks, knowledge and skills required for this post will evolve and change in time. The Job Holder is expected to adapt to these changes and develop the role as a result. Applicants must also possess a current driving licence and use of a car for business purposes or have access to a form of transport which will permit the applicant to meet the requirements of the post in full. EQUALITY STATEMENT Tourism NI is committed to equality and will comply with the Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998) statutory duties which requires designated public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the nine equality categories and to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief; political opinion; and racial group. The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) Section 49A requires designated public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons, and to the need to encourage participation by disabled persons in public life.