Business Development Manager

Aperture is a marketing agency built for one sector: hospitality, food and drink. We work across content, social, paid media, PR and influencer, and web design, but the thing that actually sets us apart isn't our service list, it's our specialism. We're sector specialists, not generalists. Most agencies learn the market on a client's budget. We already know it. That's why brands like Prezzo, Uber Eats, Thunderbird Fried Chicken, and Honi Poke work with us. Creative that earns attention, marketing that drives sales, outcomes rather than impressions. We're growing fast off the back of that reputation and now we need someone to go out and win the next chapter of it. The Role We're hiring a Business Development Manager to own our sales engine end to end. This isn't a lead-qualifying role that hands off to someone else once it gets interesting. You'll run all outbound and inbound leads, build the pipeline, run the pitch, and close the deal. If you want to spot opportunities and let someone else convert them, this isn't the role for you. What you'll own

• The full sales cycle, outbound and inbound, from first contact to signed contract 
• Identifying and targeting the right leads across hospitality, leisure and retail
• Your own pipeline - prospecting, qualifying, and progressing deals without waiting to be handed leads
• Pitches and proposals that are built to win, not just to look good
• Contract negotiation and closing against real growth targets, not just activity metrics
• Relationships with existing clients that turn into referrals and repeat business
• Aperture's presence at  industry events and rooms where our clients spend time
• Straight reporting on pipeline and progress - honest numbers only What you'll bring
• A proven record of new business wins, not just account management with a sales title
• Fluency in hospitality, leisure or retail - you know the people worth chasing without being told
• A track record of self-generated pipelines, not one that relied on inbound or marketing to do the hard part
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, and the confidence to run a pitch
• A self-starter who doesn't need a big team around them to hit a number
• London-based What you'll get
• A base salary of reflecting a commission-led structure, with realistic OTE of £60,000-£80,000 for someone who performs - this role is built to reward output
• Hybrid working, with two days a week in the office
• An office filled with top tier entrepreneurs
• A small team that cares more about results than creative awards
• Room to grow as the agency grows - we're scaling fast!