Business Development Manager

Classic Vacations, Llc•Lansing, MI

2d•Remote

About The Position

As the New Business Development Manager at Classic Vacations, you will drive strategic growth and business success by identifying, pursuing, and fostering new opportunities. This role is pivotal in expanding our market presence, building strategic partnerships, and generating revenue. Combining industry insights with exceptional interpersonal and strategic skills, you will position Classic Vacations as a leader in luxury travel, while driving innovative strategies and fostering long-term client relationships. This position is more than sales; it is about creating connections, leveraging insights, and leading the charge in showcasing Classic Vacations’ value in a competitive and evolving market. Through data-driven decision-making, industry expertise, and exceptional client engagement, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our business. The New Business Development Manager serves as the linchpin of Classic Vacations’ growth strategy, bridging market opportunities with operational excellence. In a competitive travel industry, developing trust and delivering innovative solutions are essential to success. By fostering strong relationships with clients, identifying market trends, and driving strategic initiatives, you will directly contribute to enhancing Classic Vacations’ reputation, strengthening client loyalty, and ensuring sustainable business growth. Your role not only impacts immediate revenue generation but also shapes the long-term strategic direction of the company. This role matters because it is at the forefront of our mission to deliver exceptional travel experiences, ensuring Classic Vacations remains a trusted and innovative leader in luxury travel. Your success in this position will empower our team to thrive, innovate, and continuously raise the bar for client satisfaction and operational excellence.

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years of experience in business development, sales, or a related field; travel experience preferred.
Strong network of contacts within the travel industry.
Proficiency in Salesforce, Tableau, PowerPoint, PLEX, Executer, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Advanced data analysis and reporting skills, leveraging tools to generate meaningful insights.
Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, collaborate across teams, and inspire results.
Strong negotiation and closing skills, with a proven ability to overcome objections and challenges.
Exceptional interpersonal, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to convey complex concepts clearly and persuasively, tailoring solutions to client needs.
Strong time management skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Comfortable navigating a dynamic industry and open to embracing new tools and technologies.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Hospitality, or a related field preferred.
High emotional intelligence and a proactive mindset.
Willingness to travel for client meetings, industry events, and market development.
Must exhibit professionalism on the telephone, in person, and across all forms of communication, supporting Classic Vacations' mission, values, and promise.
Able to effectively communicate with travelers, travel agents, vendors, peers, supervisors, and other contacts both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

Conduct in-depth market research to identify business opportunities, emerging trends, and gaps in the travel industry.
Analyze competitor activities and market dynamics to develop strategies that drive competitive advantage.
Leverage insights from surveys and outreach campaigns to better understand advisor behaviors and needs.
Lead outbound calling efforts to advisors actively booking with or disengaged from Classic Vacations, uncovering actionable insights.
Execute targeted campaigns to drive market share, offering premium economics to build agency loyalty and sales growth.
Build and maintain a robust pipeline of new business opportunities through networking, industry events, and online platforms.
Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to grow Classic’s reach and impact within the travel industry.
Build and nurture relationships with key clients, providing personalized solutions to meet their unique needs.
Identify upselling and cross-selling opportunities with existing clients, contributing to sustained growth.
Deliver consistent product training for new and existing clients to maximize their success.
Develop compelling proposals and presentations that highlight Classic Vacations’ value proposition and address client needs.
Collaborate with internal teams to create tailored offerings and solutions.
Identify and establish partnerships within the travel industry to enhance service offerings and expand market presence.
Support travel advisors in achieving sales goals through proactive engagement and business support.
Collaborate with the Sales team and Strategic Account Managers to align on partnership objectives and implementation.
Develop and maintain accurate sales forecasts, providing actionable insights to the leadership team.
Prepare comprehensive reports on business development activities, achievements, and challenges.
Partner with internal teams, including Product Development, Technology, and Operations, to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.
Act as a liaison between clients and internal teams to ensure alignment and consistency.
Leverage social media creatively to engage clients, build relationships, and expand the Classic Vacations brand.
Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and forums to strengthen market presence and build connections.
Stay updated on travel industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities.
Maintain comprehensive knowledge of Classic’s products and services, effectively communicating value to clients.