Business Development Manager

We are Avanti West Coast and we are busy making rail the greener, cleaner, and comfier way to go. A joint venture between First Group and Trenitalia, we are going all out to transform train travel on the West Coast Main Line and we are looking forward to whooshing more people to their destinations in industry-leading comfort.

Every one of our colleagues are encouraged to make a difference today to look after tomorrow. We¿re passionate about people sharing their spark and get a buzz seeing our teams take pride. With employees based right across the country, we love to win together and drive a culture which stands for progress ¿ ready to raise the bar at every opportunity.

The Avanti West Coast Sales & Distribution Team have an exciting opportunity to join them as a Business Development Manager for a fixed term period of 12 months.

Are you a Business Development Manager with experience within a Business/Corporate Travel environment?

The key purpose of this role is to support and help drive the recovery of UK Domestic Business Travel and maximise the multi-million pound revenue and volume target from the corporate account portfolio alongside the wider company target and overall objectives. Using multi-source insights and data to continuously identify trends and opportunities to grow the business and mitigating against micro and economic challenges.

Additionally, the BDM has a role in the wider Business Travel community to champion the rail industry, ensure sustainability, debunk myths and present a positive outlook associated with the sector of travel.

You will be working within a small team and will work closely with clients and key industry stakeholders to build, nurture and maintain relationships as well as spot opportunities for future business development. We are looking for individuals with excellent interpersonal skills that can build long-lasting relationships with clients and seek out new opportunities to bring in additional revenue to the business.

Ideally, we are looking for an individual that come from a Business Travel background with experience having worked in either a Travel Management Company or a Corporate Travel Supplier. Rail knowledge/experience isn¿t essential for this role however would be beneficial.

Essentials of the job:

• Possess a good understanding of the Business Travel market on which to develop strategic relationships with Travel Trade partners (TMCs & trade associations) and corporate clients.
• Be comfortable with targeting new business and have proven experience in a Corporate Travel environment
• Good computer skills to be able to accurately analyse MI on a regular basis for reporting and decision making
• Have experience and confidence in pitching
• Have great communication skills whether it be face to face, through phone, email or Teams/Zoom calls
• Be able to persuasively demonstrate product and industry knowledge to clients
• Passionate about the business and driven to deliver for the organisation
• Remaining up to date with business sector, economic and environmental matters that will affect the business, including competitor activity, to provide insight on performance and support forecasting activity.

Benefits include:

• Final salary pension
• Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
• Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
• 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
• A number of boxes for free travel on other First Group Train Operators

Please upload your CV as part of your application.

At Avanti West Coast, we value the differences that make each of us outstanding! Avanti West Coast recognises the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation.

Everyone who joins Avanti West Coast becomes part of our close knit team. We're committed to ensuring that Avanti West Coast is inclusive, a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are encouraged, recognised, accepted and put to good use!