Business Tourism and Event Lead

Job Title: Business Tourism and Events Lead Salary: £65,000 per annum Location: Birmingham City Centre, hybrid working - 2 days a week in the office Role Overview: The Business Tourism and Events Manager will promote the city and region as a world-leading conference and events destination. This role involves creating and leading the strategy development for the entire sector, acting as the lead industry expert and primary spokesperson, and being responsible for KPI reporting and creating reports for the board, external partners, and other entities. The role will have complete oversight and responsibility for a programme of business development activities to generate and convert leads, growing the number of business and sports conferences/events hosted in the region to achieve agreed objectives and KPIs. Additionally, the role will lead the Convention Bureau to ensure commercial income targets are achieved. Main Responsibilities and Key Activities:

• Budget Management: Responsibility for the Convention Bureau and Major Events annual budget and the most effective use of funds in delivering against organisational KPIs.
• Advocacy: Act as a key advocate for Birmingham & the West Midlands, engaging with businesses, public sector networks, and media regarding the region, organisations, and relevant meetings, conferences, events, and hotel activities.
• Strategy Development: Set and deliver the strategy for the Convention Bureau and Major Events programme (attracting meetings, events, conferences, and incentive travel) based on the needs of venue and convention infrastructure partners, establishing the region as a destination for conferences, events, major events, and incentives. Refine and review as necessary.
• Commercial Planning: Develop a commercial plan within the strategy to ensure the delivery of Convention Bureau income against agreed targets.
• Technology Integration: Explore new tech system solutions/platforms to enhance the efficiency of Convention Bureau services and income generation.
• Partnership Alignment: Work with the Head of PWM to ensure activities align with the retention and acquisition of future Corporate and Visit & Meet PWM partners.
• Reputation Management: Ensure excellence in reputation through strategic leadership, including support for accreditation of the Convention Bureau with Green Tourism or similar certification to maintain a best-in-class reputation.
• Strategic Relationships: Maintain strategic relationships with VisitBritain business events lead and key business and event organisations (MIA, NorthStar, UK Sport, etc.), as well as with Tourism, PWM, SRM, and Inward Investment sector leads.
• Insight Review: Review insights from city/destination performance, team activity, marketing and promotions activity, and events to enable effective decision-making.
• Event Bidding: Support the pursuit and conversion of high-value and strategic bids to attract events to the region.
• Team Management: Oversee the day-to-day management of the Convention Bureau & Major Events team, using best-in-class tools, coaching, and training for the team.
• Marketing Collaboration: Collaborate with marketing to ensure compelling content and optimised customer journeys for event organisers, agencies, and broader audiences to drive engagement and advocacy.