Sales Executive

The Role
We have an exciting opportunity to work as part of our Venue Sales team, working in a truly unique environment at the UK’s number 1 zoo! As part of the Venue Sales team, you will maximise revenue from the use of Chester Zoo facilities including our stunning wedding and events venue ‘The Square’, through the sale and coordination of meetings, weddings and special occasion.

You will:
• Take a lead role in driving venue sales for Chester Zoo, ensuring we are generating income and surplus through selling and planning events that are leading, inspiring, and relevant; maximising business development opportunities to provide a world class customer experience

• Work to achieve departmental income and KPI targets whilst maximising operating surplus for the department through effective planning, commercial activity, sales drive and cost management

• Plan the delivery of all events, setting deadlines, managing invoicing and contracts and allocating actions to the wider team. Also as required supporting the delivery of complex, high profile, and large-scale events including senior level liaison, contract negotiation and management

The Package
• Permanent contract
• £28,000 per annum based on 40 hours per week, usually worked Monday to Friday, some weekend or evening work may be required from time to time.
• 33 days annual leave
• Annual holiday buy/sell scheme
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%

Our Requirements
• Proven experience in a Sales Executive role, ideally gained in a similar environment such as visitor attractions, hospitality venue, large visitor operations
• Exceptional customer service skills within a customer focused environment
• Experience of balancing customer requirements and service capabilities with the need to return a profit
• A natural trader with the ability to spot a commercial opportunity and follow that through to implementation
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate with a wide cross section of people; external clients and suppliers and internal colleagues and departments
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, accuracy and attention to detail
• Computer literate with extensive working knowledge of EPOS and IT systems, particularly Excel and other Microsoft products

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Successful track record of business development and pro-active sales

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes…

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

We reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you submit your application as promptly as possible as shortlisting and interviews may be taking place whilst the advert is live.