CIO Africa Ltd is seeking an experienced, commercially driven Sales Executive with a background in selling event management, conference, exhibition or event production services.
CIO Africa is a technology content and insights platform serving senior technology professionals across Africa. In addition to its publication and online platform, the company delivers industry conferences, summits and other high-impact events.
The successful candidate must have experience identifying prospective clients, pitching event solutions, preparing proposals and winning business from organisations looking for professional event management and production services.
This is a business development role for someone who understands the events industry, can engage corporate decision-makers and has a proven ability to convert opportunities into paying clients. General sales experience without relevant event industry exposure will not be sufficient.
Key Responsibilities
Identify and secure new clients requiring conference, exhibition, summit and corporate event management services.
Proactively approach corporates, government institutions, NGOs, associations, agencies and other organisations to generate new business.
Identify organisations planning conferences, exhibitions, product launches, corporate functions and industry events and pitch suitable event solutions.
Sell event management and production services, including event planning, coordination, staging, audio-visual production, lighting, livestreaming and technical production.
Develop relationships with decision-makers, including marketing managers, corporate communications teams, procurement officers, event organisers and senior management.
Arrange client meetings, understand event requirements and work with internal production teams to develop proposals and quotations.
Follow up on proposals, negotiate commercial terms and close sales.
Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective clients and track opportunities through to contract award.
Work with the event delivery and production teams to ensure client requirements are clearly communicated and agreed commitments can be delivered.
Maintain relationships with existing clients to generate repeat business, referrals and additional sales.
Meet agreed individual sales and revenue targets and submit regular sales activity and pipeline reports.
Qualifications and Experience
At least 2 - 3 years of relevant experience in sales or business development within an event management company, conference or exhibition organiser, event production agency or a closely related events business.
Demonstrable experience selling event-related services to corporate or institutional clients.
Experience prospecting for new business, meeting clients, pitching proposals, negotiating and closing sales.
Good understanding of how conferences, exhibitions, summits and corporate events are planned, costed and delivered.
Ability to identify business opportunities and engage decision-makers across different organisations.
Strong presentation, communication, negotiation and client relationship management skills.
A results-oriented approach and the ability to work independently towards sales targets.
A Diploma or Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business, Events Management or a related field is an advantage.
We are particularly interested in candidates who have worked as:
Event Sales Executive or Event Sales Manager.
Business Development Executive in an event management or production company.
Conference or Exhibition Sales Executive.
Corporate Events Sales Executive.
Event Solutions or Event Production Sales Executive.
Candidates with experience in both selling event services and understanding the practical delivery of conferences, exhibitions or corporate events will have an advantage.
General retail sales, FMCG sales or unrelated sales experience without relevant event industry experience will not meet the primary requirement.