Business Development Associate

The   Business Development Associate   aggressively
drives company growth by generating  and capturing   leads, researching market trends, and building  potential client relationships for Catholic Group Pilgrimages. They collaborate with  the marketing team , qualify prospects, support senior executives in closing deals, and track performance metrics.    The Business  Development Associate  will be a key  component of the  company’s  goal  to  triple  the  number of  traveling  pilgrims in 5years .  

Key Responsibilities  

• Lead Generation  &  Capture :   Identify and qualify potential clients through cold outreach, social networking, and digital campaigns.  Pursue clients —Catholic  parishes,  dioceses,  schools,  ministries, and  other  organizations   to get them to  setup  group  pilgrimages  through 206  Tours. Visit clients in person when  appropriate .  

• Market Research:   Attend industry events (e.g., Catholic travel conferences, diocesan gatherings, or pilgrimage expos), network with potential group leaders, and deliver presentations to generate new business in the affinity/group segment. Proactively scout opportunities within Catholic communities to grow the pipeline of pilgrimage groups. Stay current on 206 Tours' full portfolio of destinations (Europe, Holy Land, Marian sites, etc.), emerging pilgrimage trends, competitor offerings, and Catholic liturgical calendars to provide informed, value-added advice to clients.  

• Client Relations:   Build and nurture long-term relationships with key group clients, including parish priests, dioceses, Catholic organizations, schools, alumni groups, travel advisors, and individual participants within pilgrimage groups. Engage with Group Leaders  and  potential  Group  Leaders   across Social Media platforms ,  encouraging  them to book   with  206 Tours over  competitors.  

• Proposals :   Develop and present customized group pilgrimage proposals, selecting from 206 Tours' portfolio or creating bespoke itineraries that include holy sites, daily Mass, priest accompaniment, and optional extensions. Calculate and handle pricing structures, including group rates, deposits, final payments, and add-ons like travel insurance, hotel upgrades, or spiritual retreats.  

• CRM Management: Track sales pipelines,  potential client interactions, and  maintain   accurate data within   a   database and/or CRM software .    Ensure   every  opportunity is  recorded  and  tracked .    Actively recommend improvements  to the  sales process.  

• Other  duties as may be assigned .  

Qualifications & Requirements  

• Experience: 1–3 years in business development, sales, or  a related marketing role.  

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with strong negotiation and active listening abilities.  

• Technical Skills: Familiarity with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and basic data analysis.  

• Soft Skills: Strategic thinking, project management, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.  

• Growth Mindset:   Aggressiveness  in  pursuing  opportunities  

The role is hands-on and client-centric, often involving direct communication with priests and church leaders, while supporting 206’s mission of guiding pilgrims closer to God through expertly organized travel.