Business Development Manager - SuperReturn

Company Description

We’re part of Informa, a global business with a network of trusted brands in specialist markets across more than 30 countries, and a member of the FTSE 100 who are #3 in Glassdoor's Best Places to Work 2025 UK list. 

Our purpose is to connect our customers to information and people that help them know more, do more and be more. No other company in the world helps more people share professional knowledge or make business connections.

We run around 800 events each year, create digital platforms based on engaging news and information content, and operate professional development programmes for individuals and businesses.

Job Description

This role is based in our 240 Blackfriars office.

Join the World's Largest Private Equity, Private Credit & Venture Capital Series

We are expanding the sponsorship sales team on the fast-growing, market-leading SuperReturn series.  This is a full-time hybrid role for a Business Development Manager based in Greater London, with some work-from-home flexibility.  The Business Development Manager will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, managing client portfolios, and negotiating contracts.  Daily tasks may include market research, strategic planning, client outreach, coordinating with internal teams, attending industry events, and preparing presentations to inform business decisions and strategies.

We're not just looking for someone who can sell—we're looking for someone who can grow, adapt, and thrive in one of the most dynamic markets in financial services. SuperReturn is one of the fastest-growing revenue portfolios within Informa Connect, and the team is expanding to help realise its full revenue potential.

The private markets landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth—private equity alone manages over $13 trillion in assets globally.. Our SuperReturn portfolio has evolved alongside this expansion, now comprising 28 events that serve the world's leading investors, fund managers, and dealmakers. This role isn't about maintaining the status quo; it's about pushing boundaries, building genuine relationships, and having a growth mindset as we scale further.

If you're someone who sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, who actively seeks feedback to improve, and who genuinely invests in the success of those around you, we'd love to hear from you.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

Building Relationships That Matter

• You'll develop deep, consultative relationships with senior stakeholders across private equity, private credit, and venture capital
• You'll create bespoke sponsorship packages that deliver genuine value—not just transactions, but partnerships
• You'll represent SuperReturn at industry events, becoming a trusted face in the ecosystem

Driving Growth with Agility

• You'll identify new business opportunities and expand existing client portfolios
• You'll develop and execute sponsorship sales strategies across the SuperReturn portfolio
• You'll hit ambitious targets whilst maintaining the integrity and quality of our partnerships

Thriving in a High-Performance Culture

• You'll work in a team that values continuous learning, honest feedback, and mutual support
• You'll embrace new tools and approaches (including AI) to work smarter and deliver better results
• You'll be challenged regularly—and you'll welcome it

The Type of Person Who Thrives Here

We're looking for someone who:

Embraces Growth and Change

• You're curious about how emerging technologies like AI can enhance your effectiveness in sales
• You actively seek out opportunities to learn new skills, whether directly related to work or not
• You see challenges as opportunities to develop rather than obstacles to avoid

Values Feedback and Self-Awareness

• You've received constructive feedback that stung at first—but you reflected on it, acted on it, and grew from it
• You're comfortable being vulnerable and admitting when you don't have all the answers
• You believe that the best teams are built on honest, supportive communication

Supports Others and Builds Team Success

• You've been the person a colleague turned to when they were struggling—and you showed up for them
• You understand that individual success is amplified by team success
• You're as motivated by helping others win as you are by your own achievements

Is Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

• You don't need everything mapped out perfectly before you take action
• You're energized by ambiguity and fast-moving environments
• You're willing to try new approaches, fail fast, learn, and iterate

Qualifications

What You'll Bring

Essential:

• Proven experience in consultative, relationship-driven sales (B2B preferred)
• Strong track record of identifying opportunities, building pipelines, and closing deals
• Excellent communication and presentation skills—you can engage C-suite stakeholders with confidence
• Self-motivated, target-driven, and comfortable working independently in a hybrid environment
• Willingness to travel for client meetings and industry events

Desirable:

• Experience in event management, sponsorship sales, or financial services (private equity/venture capital/private credit)
• Familiarity with CRM systems and sales enablement tools
• Understanding of the private markets ecosystem

Why Join SuperReturn?

• Market Leadership: Work on the world's largest private equity, private credit, and venture capital event series
• Growth Trajectory: Be part of a portfolio that's scaling rapidly in one of the fastest-growing markets in finance
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team that prioritises learning, feedback, and mutual support
• Hybrid Flexibility: Balance focused office collaboration (240 Blackfriars) with work-from-home flexibility
• Career Development: Scope to expand your remit across other flagship events in the SuperReturn portfolio

Our Hiring Process

We care as much about how you show up as what's on your CV. Our process includes:

1. Initial conversation to explore mutual fit
2. Competency-based interview exploring your experiences with feedback, learning, collaboration, and adaptability
3. Final interview with the wider team

We'll ask you questions like:

• How do you see AI impacting sales roles, and how are you preparing for that?
• Tell us about a time you received difficult feedback—how did you respond?
• What's something new you've learned recently, and what motivated you?

If these questions excite rather than intimidate you, we would love for you to apply!

Additional Information

We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. That's why we work in-person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at an Informa event – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include:

• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves
• Time out: 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after two years, plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year
• A flexible range of personal benefits to choose from, plus company funded private medical cover
• A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, a healthy living subsidy, access to health apps and more
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application.

If you would like to request reasonable adjustments or accommodations to assist your participation in the hiring process and, or in the advertised position, please inform the appropriate Talent Acquisition Partner for the role once they have been in touch. Your request will be reviewed and considered in confidence. At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.

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