Position Title: Business Development Manager
Department: WER
Reports To: WER GM
About Us: At Whim Hospitality, we do more than provide luxury accommodations— we create meaningful experiences. Founded by Kim and Whit Hanks, Whim embodies passion, heritage, and legacy, weaving rich narratives into historic spaces. We're dedicated to transforming beautiful locations into destinations where luxury and community coexist. Join us in writing our next chapter!
Position Summary: As a Business Development Representative (BDR) at Whim Event Rentals (WER), you will be instrumental in driving revenue by prospecting, generating leads, and closing orders for our exceptional event rental products and temporary tent structures. Your mission will be to identify new business opportunities, build relationships with potential clients, and convert leads into sales, while collaborating closely with your peers and the operations, sales, and marketing teams to exceed sales targets.
Key Responsibilities:
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Prospecting & Lead Generation:
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Identify and research potential customers within the WER service area.
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Generate leads through networking, email campaigns, social media, and events.
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Manage prospect reports and provide follow-up to ensure all opportunities are pursued.
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Qualify leads to aligning with WER's product offerings.
- Sales Development:
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Engage with prospects to understand their needs and present tailored WER solutions.
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Develop pricing proposals using the Point of Rentals quoting system.
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Participate in industry events to enhance WER’s visibility.
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Contribute to value proposition efforts to articulate the benefits of our offerings.
- Sales Growth:
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Create and execute a strategic sales plan to meet and exceed sales targets.
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Spend approximately 50% of your time on outbound prospecting; balance time on account development and customer/site visits.
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Maintain an active sales pipeline, pursuing project and transactional opportunities.
- Customer Relationship Management:
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Update the CRM system with accurate lead and customer information.
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Nurture relationships with prospects to guide them through the sales funnel.
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Provide exceptional customer service to ensure satisfaction and repeat business.
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Ensure contract compliance and payments are secured before delivery.
- Market Analysis:
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Keep abreast of industry trends, market conditions, and competitor offerings.
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Collaborate with Inside Sales Associates to provide technical support to clients as needed.
- Reporting & Analysis:
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Track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to lead generation and sales performance.
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Provide insights to the GM/Sales Director on market feedback and improvements.
- Team Collaboration:
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Collaborate with operations, logistics, and customer support to ensure successful project execution.
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Mentor and support Inside Sales Associates (ISAs) to promote team growth and development.
Skills and Competencies:
Work Environment:
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Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to accommodate events.
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On-site presence required during events, with physical activities such as lifting equipment.
Education, Skills & Requirements:
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Education: A Bachelor’s degree IN Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
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Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience within the hospitality or service industry.
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Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences and build relationships.
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Organization Skills: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in managing records and administrative tasks.
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Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel, for report generation and data management.
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Interpersonal Skills: A friendly and approachable demeanor, with a commitment to providing exceptional service to employees and fostering a positive HR experience.
At Whim Hospitality, we foster a dynamic and supportive work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development. Join our talented team dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences, maintaining professionalism, and creating lasting memories for our clients.
Preferred Experience
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Experience with project development, sales support, and customer relationship management within the event rental, hospitality, or construction industries.
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Background in managing complex projects, logistics, and operations, including experience with larger-scale event operations.
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Strong leadership, supervisory, and team development skills, with a focus on fostering collaboration and accountability among team members.
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Proven experience in cost analysis, pricing strategy, and profitability assessment for projects.
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Experience in training and developing team members on best practices in project execution and sales processes.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a proactive project development leader who can effectively support sales initiatives while managing complex projects. This individual possesses strong analytical skills, is detail-oriented, and can balance customer development with operational execution. They lead by example, communicate effectively with both internal teams and clients, and are comfortable stepping into various roles as needed to ensure successful project outcomes. The candidate is also committed to continuous improvement and operational efficiency, driving revenue growth while maintaining strong client relationships.
We are seeking a motivated and customer-focused Business Development Manager to support the sales team with larger and more complex projects while also developing and maintaining their own book of business. This role combines sales support, customer relationship management, project coordination, and cost analysis to help drive revenue growth and ensure projects are profitable and operationally successful.
The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of balancing customer development with project planning and financial awareness. This individual will assist with high-level project logistics and pricing while also generating new business opportunities and maintaining strong client relationships.
