Business Development Associate

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 5 years.

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.