Key Skills

Job Description

Company description We design chemistry. Yes, chemistry. The spark between people. The energy in the room. The collective genius that rises from a group. At Venue Collective, we believe an event that feels magical isn’t magic at all. It’s science. And we’ve studied it for years. We design the entire journey, from arrival to departure. Our ingredients: space, food, drinks, scent, energy, light and air. We obsess over every detail, with dedication and resourcefulness. We add breathing room, right where people need it. The perfect conditions for your crowd to naturally cross paths and spark new ideas. Because we believe that when relationships grow, the business follows. And we make it seem like it all happened effortlessly. Except it didn’t. We designed it. Because chemistry is our business. The right place at the right time. Venue Collective offers a professional, dynamic environment where hospitality, design and service excellence come together to create memorable business events. What will you do? As Sales Manager at Venue Collective, you turn commercial ambition into focused action and sustainable growth. You take ownership of the sales strategy, targets and pipeline, while remaining close to clients, partners and the market. This is a hands-on role: you lead from the front, open doors and help the team convert opportunities into profitable, memorable events. You create a proactive sales rhythm. You identify the organisations, agencies, DMCs and partners we want to work with, decide where the greatest potential lies and make sure the team acts on it. You build senior relationships, lead pitches and negotiations and develop key accounts with a long-term view. You also raise the standard of our commercial operation. You coach colleagues, create clarity around priorities and use CRM data and market insight to improve forecasting, conversion, pricing and account development. You challenge assumptions, spot gaps early and take initiative before opportunities or risks become obvious. Working closely with Operations and the management team, you balance revenue and margin with quality and feasibility. You ensure that commercial promises are realistic, handovers are complete and lessons from both wins and losses translate into a stronger proposition and sales approach. Commercial leadership Own the sales plan, revenue targets, margin objectives, pipeline and forecasting for Meetings & Events. Translate company ambitions into clear priorities, account plans and measurable commercial actions. Lead regular pipeline reviews and create accountability for follow-up, conversion and results. Coach and support the sales team through live opportunities, pitches, negotiations and account development. Set a high standard for CRM discipline, proposal quality, pricing decisions and commercial handovers. Analyse performance, market developments and lost business, then act on what the data shows. Proactive growth and key accounts Personally develop strategic accounts and high-value opportunities from first contact to long-term partnership. Build a strong new-business pipeline through targeted outreach, introductions, client visits and networking. Strengthen relationships with corporate clients, DMCs, event agencies and other relevant intermediaries. Represent Venue Collective confidently at industry and business events in Amsterdam and beyond. Lead complex proposals and negotiations, protecting value, pricing, margins and commercial terms. Create partnerships and commercial initiatives that generate repeat business, referrals and new demand. Bring market insight into the organisation and proactively improve our propositions and routes to market. Who are you? You are an experienced commercial leader who combines strategic thinking with visible action. You set direction, but you are just as comfortable picking up the phone, visiting a prospect or stepping into an important negotiation. You create momentum, make decisions and follow through. People trust your judgement because you listen carefully, communicate clearly and understand both the commercial opportunity and the operational consequences. You know how to challenge a team constructively, bring focus when priorities compete and keep standards high without losing the human side of hospitality. You also: Bring at least five years of relevant experience in sales, account management or business development, ideally within events, venues, hospitality or a related service industry. Have experience leading, coaching or coordinating commercial colleagues and improving team performance. Can demonstrate success in proactive new business, key-account growth and complex commercial negotiations. Think strategically, act quickly and take ownership without waiting for detailed direction. Are comfortable working with revenue targets, margins, forecasts, conversion rates and commercial KPIs. Bring a relevant network, or have a proven ability to build one with focus and consistency. Understand how to align Sales, Operations and management around shared priorities and realistic promises. Have an excellent command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written. Know Amsterdam and enjoy being a visible, credible representative of Venue Collective in the market. What do we offer? A senior, influential commercial role within an ambitious events company. Real ownership of sales strategy, team development, key accounts and market growth. An inspiring working environment at distinctive venues in Amsterdam. The freedom and responsibility to turn ideas into commercial action. Close collaboration with Sales, Operations and the management team. A varied local and international client and partner network. Room to shape how Venue Collective grows and how our commercial team works. A competitive employment package based on your experience. Is this the right place at the right time for you? We’d love to meet you. Send your CV and a short motivation to [email protected] and tell us how you would create momentum, grow relationships and strengthen our commercial performance.

Core Responsibilities

Own the Meetings & Events sales plan, targets, pipeline, and forecasting while leading and coaching the sales team to improve commercial performance. Develop strategic accounts and new business, lead pitches and negotiations, and work with Operations and management to ensure profitable, feasible client commitments.

Requirements

Candidates need at least five years of relevant sales, account management, or business development experience, ideally in events, venues, hospitality, or a related service industry, along with experience leading or coaching commercial colleagues. They should demonstrate success in new business, key-account growth, and complex negotiations; be comfortable with commercial KPIs; and have excellent spoken and written Dutch and English.

Benefits

• Competitive Employment Package