Business Development Manager

The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce & Visitor & Convention Bureau is seeking a motivated, relationship-driven Business Development Manager to support the continued growth of our destination's group meetings and events business . This position plays a key role in generating new business opportunities, supporting strategic sales initiatives, strengthening partner relationships, and helping position Hilton Head Island and Bluffton as premier meeting and event destinations. Working closely with the Director of Sales, this individual will focus on proactive business development, lead generation, CRM management, and partner engagement — collaborating with local hotels, venues, attractions, and community partners to increase room nights and economic impact for the destination. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Business Development Prospect and cultivate new meeting, convention, association, corporate, sports, SMERF, and specialty group business. Conduct proactive outbound sales activity including calls, email campaigns, LinkedIn outreach, and account research. Identify and qualify new business opportunities while maintaining a healthy, well-documented sales pipeline. Develop targeted prospecting strategies for need periods and emerging market segments. Support destination sales presentations, appointments, and trade show preparation. Qualify, enter, and manage sales opportunities within the CRM with accuracy and consistency. Coordinate lead distribution and monitor timely follow-up activities. Track tentative and lost business while implementing proactive re-engagement strategies. Prepare proposals, presentations, sales materials, and client correspondence. Assist with planning and execution of site inspections and familiarization tours. Strategic Initiatives Partner with the Director of Sales on strategic sales initiatives and special projects. Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify growth opportunities. Support destination marketing and hotel partnership programs. Assist in developing new revenue-generating programs and sales strategies. Collaborate across departments to support organizational goals and community partner engagement. CRM & Analytics Maintain accurate, up-to-date CRM records and account activity. Monitor lead response times and follow-up compliance to ensure accountability. Generate sales reports, dashboards, and performance metrics for leadership review. Assist in identifying trends and opportunities through ongoing sales analytics. Partner & Client Relations Build and maintain strong relationships with hotels, venues, attractions, DMCs, and community partners. Represent the destination at industry events, networking functions, and client engagement activities. Deliver exceptional customer service while serving as an ambassador for Hilton Head Island & Bluffton. Qualifications Bachelor's degree preferred. 2–5 years of experience in hospitality sales, destination marketing, hotel sales, tourism, business development, chamber of commerce, or a closely related field. Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship‑building skills with a genuine passion for people and place. Strong organizational and project management abilities; comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Experience with CRM platforms such as Simpleview, Delphi, Salesforce, CVENT, or similar systems preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Success in this role is defined by the ability to proactively generate opportunities, strengthen destination partnerships, and contribute meaningfully to the VCB's growth goals. Performance indicators include: Consistent proactive outreach through calls, emails, LinkedIn, and in‑person appointments. New accounts identified, developed, and advancing through the pipeline. Qualified leads generated, entered, and maintained accurately in the CRM. Timely lead response and disciplined follow‑up activity. Strong engagement with hotel, venue, and destination partners. Meaningful contributions to booked room nights and economic impact. Successful support of site visits and familiarization tours. Effective execution of strategic projects and organizational initiatives. Demonstrated teamwork, initiative, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. WHY JOIN OUR TEAM The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce & Visitor & Convention Bureau is committed to growing our visitor economy while delivering measurable results for our hospitality partners. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on one of the country's most recognized coastal destinations — working alongside an experienced, collaborative team dedicated to innovation, partnership, and community. #J-18808-Ljbffr