Manager, Sector Engagement

Melbourne Convention Bureau

Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) markets Melbourne as one of the world’s leading business events destinations and is responsible for identifying and securing national and international conventions, corporate meetings, exhibitions, and incentive travel programs to generate economic and social impact for Melbourne and regional Victoria. MCB is a subsidiary of Visit Victoria.

About this Position

Reporting to the Associate Director, Sector Engagement, the Manager, Sector Engagement plays a key role in identifying and converting high-value business event opportunities for Melbourne and Victoria.

Managing a portfolio of priority sectors, you’ll build strong relationships across industry, government, academia and local host organisations to uncover new opportunities, strengthen Melbourne’s competitive position and grow MCB’s business events pipeline.

Taking a customer-focused approach from lead development through to bid outcome, you’ll help shape tailored engagement and bid strategies that support the successful attraction of international business events to Victoria.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Sector Strategy Management: Manage a portfolio of international leads aligned to MCB’s business development priorities, with a focus on securing local host organisations and developing tailored sector strategies to support conversion outcomes.
• Bid Strategy: Prepare and implement bid strategies and documentation, including expressions of interest, promotional materials, bid submissions, presentations, all informed by a strong understanding of client needs.
• Client Support: Support clients with all aspects of bid development including lobbying approaches, funding applications, budget development, and site inspections.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Event Support: Build and maintain professional relationships with key clients and stakeholders across government, academia, and industry to support bid conversion and event delivery.
• Collaboration & Collateral Development: Work closely with the marketing team and Victoria Ambassador Program to develop bid collateral and identify lead opportunities that align with Melbourne’s strategic positioning.
• Data Management: Ensure accurate and timely CRM data management for all assigned accounts, leads, and contacts.
• Reporting: Contribute to reporting requirements and manage MCB’s Global Destination Sustainability Index submission.
• Industry Engagement & Representation: Attend and represent MCB at industry, stakeholder and client events, including trade shows, sales activities and sector engagements to build and maintain strategic relationships and identify new opportunities.

About You

You are a proactive and relationship-focused professional who enjoys turning connections into meaningful business opportunities. You bring strong judgement, curiosity and initiative, with the ability to understand client needs, build trusted relationships and progress opportunities from lead development through to bid and conversion.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in business development, stakeholder engagement, client relationship management, account management or a related area.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish credibility and work effectively with industry, government, academia, associations and other stakeholders.
• Experience identifying, developing and progressing leads, business opportunities, partnerships or bids.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop persuasive proposals, presentations, submissions and stakeholder materials.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage a portfolio of opportunities and competing priorities.
• Sound research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify insights and translate them into practical business development opportunities.
• Confidence working with CRM systems, pipeline information and reporting requirements.
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with sound judgement and the ability to work independently while contributing to broader team objectives.
• Experience in business events, associations, tourism, major events, government, academia or industry development will be highly regarded.

Why Join Us?

At the Melbourne Convention Bureau, we provide an employment experience that ignites and challenges any imaginations.  

• Our work makes a positive impact on the Victorian community.  
• Access to a range of amazing events and functions from sporting to cultural and more! 
• Access to ‘3 Ignite Days’ to explore Melbourne or Regional Victoria to nurture your sense of adventure on us. 
• Generous parental leave and paid volunteering days. 
• A hybrid working model and open contemporary working facilities. 

Culture & Values 

The Melbourne Convention Bureau provide an inclusive workplace which supports and fosters growth, professional development and delivering exceptional results for our partners, clients and industry. 

Our values are embedded in our culture and communication.

• Passion – We love what we do. 
• Creativity – Imagination without boundaries 
• Collaboration – We work as one. 
• Growth – We embrace growth and challenges. 
• Connection – We are connected to people, culture and our country. 

Join us in shaping Melbourne as a global leader in business events and be part of Melbourne Convention Bureau’s impactful initiatives. Your patience, solutions-oriented thinking, and passion for events and tourism will make a significant impact in this role. 

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit your updated resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you believe you are the ideal candidate for this position. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.