Business Development Manager

Job description

Company Description

Karno is a technology company dedicated to creating innovative, large-scale products that drive transformation in the arts and entertainment industries. With a focus on enabling these industries to evolve, Karno delivers forward-thinking solutions to meet their dynamic needs. Our team is passionate about developing tools that inspire growth and progress in the creative sector. We strive to pioneer advancements that make a real impact.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Business Development Manager to drive end-user engagement and grow our presence in the Live Pro Audio market. In this role, you will focus on securing sales and specifications for SEPIA systems and building relationships with key decision-makers in the live events, touring, and theatre sectors. You will have the opportunity to travel frequently across the UK, USA, and potentially the EU, to meet clients, attend events, and demonstrate our cutting-edge technology.

You will also serve as a technical resource for SEPIA systems and other Karno Sound products, ensuring that end users not only purchase but also effectively integrate our solutions into their projects. You will report directly to the CEO, and your role will be key in driving the growth of our brand, facilitating product development, and helping with sales of third-party brands where necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

End User Engagement & Relationship Management

• Engage with key end users, including sound engineers, production managers, and technical directors, to promote the adoption of SEPIA systems in live sound environments.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty to Karno Sound products.
• Act as the primary point of contact for end users, providing tailored demonstrations, technical guidance, and support to meet client needs.

Business Development & Sales:

• Proactively identify new business opportunities in the UK and USA markets (with potential expansion into the EU), focusing on growing the SEPIA brand and closing deals.
• Attend national and international industry events, trade shows, and meetings to showcase SEPIA systems and Karno Sound's broader portfolio.
• Help manage the sales pipeline by maintaining the CRM system, tracking new leads and opportunities, and providing regular updates to the CEO.

Technical Support & Product Expertise:

• Offer technical support to customers during the purchasing and integration phases, ensuring that SEPIA systems meet their specifications and deliver optimal performance.
• Collaborate closely with the product development team, providing feedback based on customer interactions to inform future product iterations and improvements.
• Assist in the sales of third-party brands where required, leveraging your technical expertise to guide customers towards the best solutions for their needs.

Event Planning & Outreach:

• Organize and attend product demonstrations, workshops, and events to showcase the capabilities of SEPIA systems.
• Actively participate in outreach efforts, including cold-calling, networking, and building new relationships in the professional audio industry.

Team Collaboration & Goal Alignment:

• Work closely with internal teams (sales, marketing, product development) to ensure alignment on strategy and help meet overall company targets.
• Be flexible with your work hours, which may occasionally include weekends, to meet project deadlines, attend events, or manage client needs.

What You'll Need:

• Experience: Proven experience in business development, sales, or account management within the professional audio industry, with a strong understanding of live sound technology and end-user requirements.
• Technical Knowledge: Solid understanding of professional audio systems, particularly live sound technologies. Prior experience with SEPIA or related audio systems is highly desirable.
• Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with end users, clients, and industry professionals.
• Travel Willingness: Ability to travel frequently across the UK, USA, and EU to meet with clients, attend industry events, and deliver product demonstrations.
• CRM Proficiency: Experience using CRM tools to manage and track leads, customer interactions, and sales opportunities.
• Self-Motivation: A self-starter with the drive to meet and exceed sales targets, while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Collaboration Skills: Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product development, and technical support.

What We Offer:

• Holidays: 23 days per annum, excluding bank holidays (5 days are allocated to the Christmas closure period).
• Competitive Salary: depending on experience.
• Work Environment: Remote work with occasional trips to our London office, as well as frequent national and international travel.
• Career Growth: The opportunity to be part of an ambitious company with high-growth potential in a dynamic industry, with ongoing career development and growth opportunities.

If you are passionate about professional audio, excited to work with cutting-edge technology, and ready to take the SEPIA brand to new heights, we encourage you to apply and be a part of Karno Sound's journey.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £40,000.00-£85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme

Application question(s):

• What is your notice period?
• Do you have any experience as an audio engineer?

Experience:

• Pro Audio: 4 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (required)

Work Location: In person