Business Development Executive

Dakota Hotels are seeking an outgoing sales professional with a passion for the industry to support the overall sales function in Manchester.
As Business Development Executive, you will play a key role in Dakota Manchesters continued success, forging new business opportunities while fostering long-lasting relationships with our valued clients. Your positive can do attitude, persuasive abilities and exceptional communication skills will make you a vital asset in meeting and exceeding our sales targets.
The role is based in our city centre property, which is number one of the cities Trip Advisor, located on Ducie Street; we are easily accessible by bus and train, being less than a 5min walk from Piccadilly Train Station.
CONTRACT AND PAY RATE
The role carries a permanent contract of 42.5 hours per week, typically working office hours Monday-Friday with flexibility to attend client-facing events on evenings and weekends. The gross annual salary for the role is up to £30,000 plus an incentive-based bonus of up to £2,000.
PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting directly to the on-property Sales Manager, this position is committed to identifying and fostering new business prospects for Dakota Manchester, emphasizing the growth of Bar & Grill covers, overseeing meetings and events, and securing Terrace exclusive-use events. Key responsibilities include arranging meetings, conducting comprehensive show arounds to showcase the Dakota brand, and converting new business opportunities into tangible results.
Be a proactive sales-focused individual with a focus on total revenue (accommodation and food & beverage sales).
Work with the objective of developing relationships with high-volume corporate and high-end leisure clients, with the objective of securing long-term accounts resulting in sustainable revenue growth at desired RevPAR.
Work closely with hotel departments to communicate guest and groupneeds whilst maximising revenue and performance at all times.
Produce reports with summary of all activity, successes, opportunities and local market intelligence.
Carry out sales-based market research such as identifying new clients across assigned market segments and assessing competitor hotel activity including rates, refurbishments and promotions so to ensure we remain commercially best in class.
Utilise internal sales tools to identify new areas of opportunity and key target accounts.
Devise tailored sales strategies to surpass revenue targets and foster business expansion in all areas, encompassing Bar & Grill offerings and Meetings and Events services.
Collaborate with the Sales Manager to achieve annual sales targets and KPIs.
Work closely with the Marketing Team and support with any ad-hoc local PR and marketing opportunities.
Assist with planning and logistics management as assigned with group activities such as FAM Trips, exhibitions/trade shows and networking events; and attend to build relationships with client base.
Assist with attendance at external events, including office visits and tradeshows, as needed.
Handling day-to-day administrative tasks involving a range of activities that keep the operations running smoothly.
BENEFITS
In addition to being part of a culture infused with positivity and opportunity for ongoing development, tangible benefits you could enjoy when you join our team include:
- 40 per cent off stays at any Dakota
- 25 per cent off drinks and dining at any Dakota
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes:
free private mental health support and counselling sessions
video GP consultations and private prescription services
access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers
- Access to discounted gift card platform
- Support from our inhouse Mental Health Champions
- Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment.
- Family-friendly flexible working options
- Meals on duty and uniforming
- £150 bonus to recommend a friend to join our team
- £10 bonus every time you are mentioned on Trip Advisor
- Free bi-annual eye testing for users of display screen equipment
- Accredited, certified compliance training given on employment such as in Food Hygiene, Alcohol Responsibility, Data Protection, and Health & Safety
- Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System
- Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan
- Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential for in-house Apprenticeships
Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.
ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS
Dakota is a growing UK-based lifestyle brand, known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie Grills and upscale cocktail Bars. Dakotas story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, and Manchester, with more in our pipeline. Dakota is synonymous for delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard-working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterers Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last five years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the 2024 Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK, as well as being awarded the Spotlight Award for Best Places to Work for LGBTQIA+ employees. As recent winners of The Cateys People Team of the Year, we have award-winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. As a result, over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for four consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award awarded by The Caterer to the Top 30 under 30 in the industry, demonstrating our success in developing talent. Eurocentral | Edinburgh | Glasgow | Leeds | Manchester | Newcastle Our location, 29 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JL, is centrally located in the Piccadilly Basin, close to Piccadilly Station ideally located for public transport users. We are home to 137 luxury bedrooms, including 27 suites - the most in the city, a destination cocktail bar with champagne room, and a brasserie style grill with private dining rooms as well as a spectacular terrace. APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
The successful applicant will have the following experience and qualifications:
A minimum of two years sales experience in the hospitality sector.
A passion for Hospitality and interacting with people with an eagle eye for spotting new opportunities
Able to demonstrable an understanding of key targeted client segments:
Corporate
Music and theatre
Film, TV and commercial production
Sports and news broadcasting
Luxury travel agencies and lifestyle companies
Experience in using IT at pace.
The successful applicant will demonstrate the following qualities and skills:
A first class networker and communicator with exceptional relationship building skills.
Display soft skills and hold conversations which are indicative of our luxury brands
Ensure strong and adaptable communication skills and be task oriented with a great pride for the work they do with attention to detail at all times.
Successful candidates must demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for the role as well as their ability to show a long-term commitment to the brand as a real team player.
Be computer literate with an ability to use Microsoft Office programs
Ability to meet deadlines and independently prioritize workload
Ability to work with a wide range of colleagues and to work with them to reach set goals and ensure the relevant strategy is understood and aligned.
Confidence in building relationships with all stakeholders.
APPLY
To apply, please send us your up to date CV.
For more information on our luxury hotel,please visit us on our social pages linked above.

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