Role Summary: Our Business Development Executive will be an ambassador for the station, developing and promoting commercial opportunities and developing new relationships across Bedford.
This is a business-to-business role, initially dealing with the development of commercial opportunities away from traditional on-air advertising and sponsorship, which includes our established and successful Bedford Business Expo, and working to launch some form of business club / network for the area.
Longer term, once a business community has been developed the role will grow to include on-air advertising and sponsorship sales.
You will work to meet agreed and achievable targets, develop ideas for commercial opportunities for the station, develop strategies to generate business leads, meet with clients, and longer term deal with advertising bookings, finance, and commissioning of advert production (liaison between our external production company and the client until advert sign-off).
This job requires a good understanding of sales generally, – training and support will be offered in the area of radio broadcast sales if needed (when that time comes). We are ideally looking for someone with several years of experience in sales, preferably in advertising or similar areas, and with business to business experience.
While the role is based out of our studios, we do support hybrid working, but also with the expectation for the role holder to travel to meet clients and attend events and networking opportunities during the day, evenings and possibly weekends.

While you willbe managed and supported by the station manager we are looking for someone who is a self-starter and able to work independently and self manage day to day.

• Develop business-to-business commercial opportunities (Bedford Business Expo, business networking etc)
• Identify local businesses and organisations who might be suitable to engage with
• Developing links and relationships with local businesses and organisations
• Selling the commercial offers to local businesses and organisations
• Developing the commercial offers for Bedford Radio, advertising and sponsorship.
• Support the administration around business opportunities organising of networking events and other activities, sales process, from advert commission to invoicing
• Manage client accounts for campaigns, before, during and after, making sure the advertising campaign is suitable and adjust as needed, and work to confirm rebooking.
• Other related tasks that are requested by management.
• Business-to-business sales experience is expected
• Customer relations and the ability to engage effectively with the public
• Radio advertising sales experience is desirable but not essential
• Good administration
• Good communication skills
• Independent and able to self manage.

You will be managed and supported by the Station Manager who, while a volunteer, is experienced in this area (and has delivered the Bedford Business Expo for the past few years), and works full-time at a non competing radio station in a neighbouring area.
Training and mentoring can be given as required, we want to make sure you are successful with the role.
Mobile phone (or sim card) will be provided, as well as laptop, and access to the Bedford Radio office and meeting rooms, to work from and meet with clients.
The role will be based at Bedford Radio. We are open to hybrid working (to be discussed at interview).
NOTE: Whoever holds this role will also be able to volunteer with the station (eg presenter, producer, or a coordinator role).
This role is grant-funded for 9 months. If the role successfully generates enough income to sustain itself and a surplus to fund the station, then there is the possibility the role will be extended.