Business Development Manager

Description The hiring salary for this position is $85,000.

The Business Development Manager leads end-to-end business development, actively generating new Special Event and Food Enthusiast opportunities through targeted field prospecting and transforming inbound Food Enthusiast interest into measurable revenue. This role is focused on identifying, cultivating, and securing new local and regional business opportunities across corporate, social, culinary, and consumer-driven segments. The Business Development Manager serves as a primary ambassador for the organization, building strong external relationships, representing the brand in the marketplace, and driving sustained revenue growth.

This position is accountable for the full outbound sales cycle—from prospecting and lead qualification through contract execution, follow-up, and final payment—while ensuring a seamless handoff of secured business to internal teams responsible for execution. The Business Development Manager maintains an individual sales portfolio and is measured on new business development, lead conversion, and overall revenue performance to ensure achievement of annual sales goals for California.

This position also oversees the process for transferring all knowledge regarding events to the staff responsible for event execution prior to client hand-off.

• Develops and executes an annual outbound sales strategy to achieve forecasted revenue and new business targets while delivering a high level of customer service. Proactively identifies, prospects, and secures new Special Event and Food Enthusiast business opportunities through in-person sales calls, site visits, networking, community engagement, and regional travel. Serves as the primary point of contact for all inbound food enthusiast leads, ensuring timely follow-up, qualification, nurturing, and conversion into confirmed business.
• Works closely with Food Enthusiast Manager and the CIA Consulting team to ensure converted Food Enthusiast leads are successfully executed. Builds and maintains strong relationships with corporate clients, culinary organizations, destination partners, community groups, and regional stakeholders.
• Identifies emerging markets, new audience segments, and partnership opportunities to support long-term growth.
• Participates in the development of new products, experiences, and sales initiatives targeted to external clients.
• Ensures consistent communication of standard rates, packages, and promotional offerings to prospective clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for achieving measurable results, including revenue growth, lead conversion, and customer acquisition.
• Develops annual performance goals and works with sales team to create goals to enhance customer satisfaction and overall financial performance.
• Collaborates with the sales team on the development of all Events Sales materials and regularly reviews materials to ensure the quality exemplifies the CIA’s standard of excellence.
• Schedules and conducts site visits for prospective clients.
• Efficiently and effectively qualifies event leads, including event date(s), space requirements, Food and Beverage and other service or support requirements.
• Oversees the preparation of event proposals proactively and timely to best match client expectations, department capabilities, and established margins.
• Coordinates space bookings for all events at Greystone and Copia.
• Provides financial reporting, including periodic sales reports, forecasting and analysis. Works with the Senior Director Food and Beverage-CA on all financial planning matters that affect events. Provides analysis of actual results, including recommendations for improvements and maximization of margins.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date records of all sales activity, pipeline status, and client interactions.
• Participates in the development of new products and services.
• Coordinates with internal public relations and marketing departments to promote events products and services by developing social media strategy, printed/electronic sales brochures, and maintenance of web presence.
• Represents the organization in the field at…