Conference and Group Sales Assistant

Marketing Manchester has an exciting new opportunity for a Conference and Group Sales Assistant to promote and position Manchester as the UK’s leading national and international conference destination by supporting the successful hosting of conferences in Manchester. Marketing Manchester promotes Greater Manchester nationally and internationally as a place to visit, invest, meet and study. Our work is an essential component to successfully raise the profile of the city-region as the gateway to the North and improve global perceptions and city ranking. Marketing Manchester also supports MIDAS, Greater Manchester’s inward investment agency, in the delivery of promotion focusing on priority sectors and campaigns including digital, innovation and green. Key Responsibilities: * Support the venue location service (VLS) & accommodation booking service (ABS) sales strategy by delivering an efficient, effective, client focused service and activity plan. * Operate a VLS service for association, corporate and ad-hoc events including preparation of proposals and using the VLS system to manage enquiries and conversions. * Take responsibility for a small portfolio of clients with associated conference and accommodation requirements. * To undertake event research including delegate numbers, anticipated room nights and revenue figures to support the ABS and VLS forecast. * Maintain the operating systems with regards to accuracy of data and in line with information security policies. * Liaise with partners to source and secure rates and contractual agreements which are mutually beneficial for all parties involved (event planners, accommodation providers and Marketing Manchester). * Actively look for opportunities to maximise commission revenue for the Manchester Convention Bureau team * Ensure that relationships with partners are maintained to a high standard supporting the delivery of conferences and securing of best rates. * To consistently build product knowledge of accommodation and venue providers within membership to support organisers and delegates who require more information. * Undertake post event evaluation, reporting, re-solicitation and analysis of delegate and client feedback * Support the generation of new ABS and VLS leads through research, attending relevant industry events, participating in networking opportunities and the re-solicitation of past events. * Other general administrative and sales duties, including responding and actioning general enquiries across all inboxes. * To undertake duties and responsibilities, of an equivalent nature, as may be required by your line manager, or any member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). About you: * Dynamic self-starter able to work using own initiatives and within a team. * Good organiser, able to manage multiple activities, with a strong appreciation of teamwork. * Portrays a professional image/attitude. * Comfortable working in an agile environment. Skills Required: * Strong communication skills, with the ability to develop long term relationships. * Customer service and sales experience. * Some negotiation and financial skills are desirable. * The ability to be able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. * General knowledge of IT and basic numerical skills needed. * A minimum of 1 year experience within a sales or customer service environment; within the conference and events sector is desirable. * Knowledge of the conference sector, with an understanding of working in partnership with industry, academia, and conference & meeting venues. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone including vulnerable adults and young people, we expect all staff to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to Safer Recruitment Procedures which include a DBS check. This will be conducted by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd) on behalf of GC. Please note that the successful candidate will not be required to pay for this. If you are on the Barred List, it is against the law to apply and to be hired for a role that includes regulated activity with the concerned group. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, we provide a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential requirements for a role. This commitment applies to candidates who have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community. As part of our application process, you can ask to be considered under this scheme if you are from an ethnic community or have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. Providing that you meet the essential criteria for the role, you will then be invited for an interview. Your guaranteed interview application will only be shared with the Hiring Manager and our Internal Recruitment Team. We are a member of the national campaign Ban the Box; this campaign aims to open opportunities for people with convictions to compete for jobs. We’re supporting the campaign by removing conviction questions at the applications stage. GC aims to promote a culture of flexibility and agile working. Going forward we will be transitioning to a culture where full agile working will be a feature of many of our roles. We also recognise that there may be a need for more permanent flexibility in your working arrangements and in such cases, we encourage you to have these discussions at the interview stage, to enable your flexible working request to be considered as early as possible. All GC colleagues will work inline with the Health & Safety at work act and the GC Health & Safety Policy