Business Development Manager, Event Commerce

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Business Development Manager, Event Commerce based in the United States.** The Business Development Manager will drive growth by building relationships with event organizers, venue owners, promoters, and other key players in the local events and nightlife industry. This role focuses on acquiring new accounts and helping customers unlock additional revenue opportunities through an integrated event commerce platform. You will manage the entire sales cycle, from prospecting and product demonstrations to commercial negotiations, deal closure, and onboarding. Working closely with business leadership, you will help shape sales strategies and expand the company's presence across music, entertainment, and live events. The position offers significant commercial autonomy, direct access to leadership, and the opportunity to build lasting customer partnerships. It is ideal for a relationship-driven sales professional who understands event economics and thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. ### Accountabilities: The Business Development Manager will own new business acquisition and customer relationships across an assigned market, using an established industry network and proactive sales strategies to generate growth. Key responsibilities include: - Acquire new event organizers and venue partners by leveraging existing relationships within the events, ticketing, and nightlife industries. - Conduct product demonstrations, develop compelling business cases, and communicate the platform's value to prospective customers. - Manage the full sales cycle, from initial outreach and qualification through commercial negotiations, contract closure, and account launch. - Negotiate commercial terms, including fee splits, guarantees, exclusivity arrangements, and other agreements tailored to customer needs. - Build and maintain a strong sales pipeline through referrals, targeted outbound campaigns, and direct prospecting. - Develop account plans based on realistic ticket sales volumes, existing ticketing provider relationships, contractual commitments, and business potential. - Support onboarding and help new customers launch their first events successfully. - Maintain strong relationships with customers after signing, identifying opportunities to improve adoption and resolving issues that could affect satisfaction or retention. - Work closely with the Head of Business Development and company leadership to refine sales strategies, improve commercial processes, and support business growth. - Identify opportunities to expand the platform's adoption across local events, nightlife, music, and entertainment markets. **Requirements:** The ideal candidate is a commercially driven professional with a strong network in the events industry, proven sales execution skills, and a practical understanding of ticketing economics. Candidates should demonstrate the following qualifications and capabilities: - 2–6 years of experience in business development, partnerships, sales, or commercially focused account management or customer success within ticketing, events, or nightlife. - An established network of local venue owners, promoters, and event organizers, including approximately 10–20 contacts they could personally reach out to when starting the role. - Direct access to business decision-makers and a clear understanding of how the platform could help their businesses grow. - A proven track record of personally sourcing, negotiating, and closing commercial deals. - Confidence leading product demonstrations, presenting value propositions, negotiating commercial terms, and asking for the sale. - Working knowledge of ticketing economics and industry-specific commercial arrangements, including fee splits, guarantees, advances, exclusivity, rebates, and bar minimums or revenue splits. - Experience building a sales pipeline beyond an existing network through outbound prospecting and referral generation. - Strong relationship-building, communication, negotiation, and organizational skills. - A proactive, self-directed approach and the ability to manage the sales process independently while collaborating with leadership and colleagues. - Availability to work full-time from within the United States. **Benefits:** - **Compensation:** $100,000–$200,000 in on-target earnings (OTE), with flexible compensation structures that may combine base salary, commission, and equity. - **Equity participation:** Opportunity to receive equity in the business. - **Funding and growth:** Join a seed-stage company with $16 million in funding and backing from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). - **Experienced leadership:** Work alongside founders with experience building Lime and holding early roles at Google and Pinterest. - **Commercial autonomy:** Own the sales process from prospecting through closing and post-sale support, with direct access to leadership and minimal approval layers. - **Remote flexibility:** Work remotely from anywhere in the United States. - **Event exposure:** Opportunities to travel to client events, although travel is encouraged rather than required. - **Team collaboration:** Optional monthly on-site collaboration weeks, with room and board covered. - **Visa support:** Visa transfers and sponsorship are considered.