We are a global engagement marketing agency that creates human-centric touchpoints that unleash the power of people to deliver innovation and growth.
Firm believers in the power of building community since 1987, we are helping brands, associations and not-for-profit organisations solve their key people challenges through our core expertise: Live & virtual events, Strategic & digital communications and Consulting & community solutions.
We are an independently owned agency, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with a global presence of 60 offices in 31 countries.

Overview

We are looking for a proactive, commercially minded Sales Manager to join our Ovation UK Destination Management team. This role blends opportunity development, strategic sales support, and high-quality proposal creation to position our DMC offering for growth across UK-based and international clients.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator with excellent writing skills, a passion for shaping compelling client narratives, and an ability to work seamlessly with project, creative, and operations teams to convert leads into wins. The role also includes light-touch project support through to delivery and occasional international travel to support programmes onsite.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development (50%)

• Proactively identify and qualify new business opportunities across key markets, sectors, and client types.
• Support the development and delivery of the DMC growth strategy, working closely with senior leadership.
• Build and nurture relationships with agencies, clients, and industry partners to drive inbound and outbound opportunities.
• Have strong UK venue knowledge and the ability to leverage supplier relationships for proposals.
• Represent the DMC offer in client meetings, sales pitches, and industry networking events.
• Maintain CRM accuracy, track pipeline status, and report on BD activity, conversion ratios, and revenue forecasts.
• Work with regional/global colleagues to maximise cross-sell opportunities and create multi-market solutions.
• Monitor destination trends, competitor activity, and market shifts to inform commercial decisions.
• Support projects through to delivery, ensuring continuity from proposal to operations.

Proposal Writing & Pitch Support (40%)

• Lead the writing, structure, and narrative development for proposals, RFP submissions, capability decks, and pitch documents.
• Translate client briefs into compelling, solution-focused proposals that reflect our brand voice and strengths.
• Collaborate with creative, production, operations, and incentives teams to gather input and shape cohesive responses.
• Develop clear value propositions, budgets, timelines, and destination recommendations.
• Ensure all submissions are polished, accurate, visually coherent, and delivered to deadline.
• Maintain a library of reusable content: case studies, bios, destination insights, and template sections.
• Provide light-touch project support and ensure handovers to delivery teams are clear, complete, and client-ready.

General/Operational (10%)

• Support the creation of sales materials, case studies, and marketing content for DMC campaigns.
• Contribute to internal BD meetings, strategy sessions, and forecasting discussions.
• Champion quality, consistency, and storytelling across all DMC client communications.
• Ensure compliance with internal processes, brand guidelines, and commercial frameworks (including group ISO and any relevant VAT/TOMS considerations).
• Travel abroad and work onsite to support programme delivery when required (typically short trips).

Key Skills & Experience

• Experience in Destination Management, events, hospitality, or travel sector business development.
• Proven ability to write and structure high-quality proposals, pitch decks, and client-facing communications.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to understand budgets, margins, and revenue drivers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Confident in client-facing scenarios and able to represent the business at events and meetings.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work across multiple, fast-moving deadlines.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, PowerPoint/Keynote, and proposal-creation tools.
• Creative thinker with a solutions-focused mindset and a collaborative working style.
• Willingness to travel internationally to support client programmes when required.

Attributes & Behaviours

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a drive to seek opportunities and grow accounts.
• Team player who thrives in a collaborative, high-energy environment.
• Positive attitude, resilience, and confidence in navigating ambiguity.
• Able to synthesise complex information into clear, client-friendly messaging.
• Strong alignment to our company values: entrepreneurship, creativity, and community.

MCI is where you can bring your true self to work and be proud of what you do. Join us and make a difference!