At Clarion, our people are at the absolute heart of what we do. We’re proud that our core values of PASSION, CARE, IMAGINATION, and TRUST define the way we carry out our work across all of our exhibitions and conferences.

If you share our values and want to be a part of a successful, dynamic, and creative global business, then we want to hear from you.

The Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Sales Manager to work on The Baby Show portfolio, the UK’s leading consumer shows in this sector. They will contribute to the future success of these fantastic live events, hone their skills and develop as a sales professional in a vibrant, energetic and successful team. The role will involve; developing new revenue streams, both internally and through discussions with key clients, alongside delivering existing products; managing an ambitious high-performing sales team; driving sales for both sponsorship and exhibition opportunities; and developing strategies and initiatives, playing a key part in the continuous growth of the events.

The ideal candidate will be assertive and confident, with excellent customer service and sales promotion skills. They will have a hunger to exceed set targets and adopt a tenacious ‘can do’ approach to creative problem solving; work calmly to a consistent high level of output under pressure; and multi-task.

Working as part of the Enthusiast Department within Clarion Events you will have the opportunity to be involved in other UK leading events.

Key Responsibilities:

• At the heart of this role is the sales function. Success will be determined by the sourcing and contracting of new business and by the management of incremental growth from existing business.
• Tele-Sales and Teams calls to existing and potential exhibitors in order to meet and exceed sales revenue targets across a portfolio of brands.
• Developing and maintaining excellent relationships with exhibitors, sponsors, partners and the rest of the show team.
• Management and curation of the floor plan alongside allocation of stand space in conjunction with the Sales team and Show Manager, together with the Operations Team.
• Liaise with the Marketing Team to ensure they are appraised of all aspects of the content of the Event.
• Ability to vet/be selective and source appropriate new exhibitors that fit with the brand values of the events and target audience.
• Drive digital opportunities working closely with the Show Manager and Marketing Team.
• Keeping abreast of market developments and identifying and researching new growth areas for sales.
• Collating and producing sales plans and reports as required including predicting future sales and managing pipelines
• Researching and conducting sales campaigns to attract sales.
• Liaising with the whole show team including marketing, operations and finance to ensure maximum awareness of each element of the shows.
• Resolving exhibitor conflicts both in the office and onsite.
• Maintaining key customer care objectives.
• Ensuring that all sales administration is completed to a high and accurate standard and in a timely manner.
• Effective management of the Sales Team including the re-book process on site
• Attending industry functions when required (including occasional weekends) and visiting relevant UK and international based exhibitions.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours:

• Solid and proven results and experience as a Sales Manager.
• Experience within exhibitions is desirable.
• Fluent in data management driving personal performance through Salesforce or a similar CRM.
• Confident partnering with automated technology driven parts of the sales process – the ‘hand off’ and ‘take up’ of customer led tasks.
• A thorough understanding of floorplan management and sales promotional skills.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and written.
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to negotiate and build rapport effectively and strong objection avoidance and objection handling skills.
• Ability to build trust and show credibility amongst customers and potential customer base.
• Takes ownership of tasks and problem solves quickly, creatively, and positively.
• Works calmly under pressure to a consistent high level of output.
• The ability to work both independently and as a team player.
• Takes pride in their work, is assertive, confident and creative.
• Demonstrates an ability to report activity and future results effectively.
• Excellent market and product knowledge.
• Demonstrates high levels of productivity.
• Understands the benefits of face-to-face customer engagement, which is the bedrock of exhibition sales.
• Demonstrates a hardworking and conscientious approach to sales, with a keen eye for detail.
• Working onsite during the buildup, open period and breakdown.
• At all times representing Clarion Events in a professional manner.

About Clarion Events

Clarion Events is one of the world’s leading event organisers, producing and delivering innovative and market-leading events since 1947. ((url removed))

Clarion Events embrace diversity and equal opportunities in all that wre, the better our work will be.

Clarion is private equity backed and owned by Blackstone. Blackstone is one of the world’s leading global investment funds, investing capital for the long term in order to build successful, resilient businesses. ((url removed))

Our purpose is to deliver exceptional customer outcomes and experiences, by making every connection count.

Our vision is we want every one of our products to be a market leader in customer satisfaction and delight.

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• End of year wellbeing shutdown (closed for the last week of the year)
• Celebration day off (e.g. birthday, Diwali, Eid, etc)
• Summer Hours in August (3pm finish on Fridays)
• Helping Our World (HOW) Days – one paid day per quarter to carry out charity work
• Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Health Cash Plan
• Wellbeing Library (MYNDUP)
• Mentoring Programme
• Subsidised Café
• Season Ticket Loan
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Free on-site gym and shower facilities
• Free eyesight tests
• Free flu vaccination – offered on site once a year for all employees