The Company
Experience Oxfordshire is the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) and Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Oxfordshire. It is the trading arm of the parent charity, Experience Oxfordshire Charitable Trust, and is a not-for-profit partnership organisation that is committed to the promotion, management, and development of Oxfordshire as a great destination to live, work, visit and do business. The DMO seeks to improve growth and productivity across Oxfordshire’s visitor economy through the provision of essential business advice and support services to our partners.
Experience Oxfordshire was one of the first destinations in England to gain LVEP status from national tourist board, VisitEngland. As an LVEP, Experience Oxfordshire is recognised as a high-performing organisation, supporting collaborative working both locally, through its network of partners and those with interest in the visitor economy, and nationally on shared priorities.
Read our Highlights 2023/24 publication which showcases the impact and reach of the work that Experience Oxfordshire undertakes Highlights Brochure 2023-24 by Experience Oxfordshire - Issuu The Visitor Economy is vitally important to Oxfordshire. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic each year Oxfordshire welcomed over 30 million visitors to the County who spent £2.3 billion in the local economy which supported over 40,000 jobs – 12% of all jobs across Oxfordshire.
The organisation is funded in part by its Partners who come from all sectors of the Oxfordshire economy including hotels, retail, events, transport and restaurants and more. We work with our Partners to collectively promote their products and services and grow the visitor economy across Oxfordshire through a variety of B2B and B2C channels. The organisation derives the rest of their income from providing a variety of services such as travel trade, MICE referrals, commissioned services and consultancy, as well as operating the award-winning Oxford Official Walking Tours.
For more information on Experience Oxfordshire go to;
www.experienceoxfordshire.org
www.experienceoxfordshire.org/partner
www.experienceoxfordshire.org/venues
www.oxfordofficialwalkingtours.org
The Role
This exciting new and broad ranging role is ideal for an experienced business develop manager to
play a leading role in the visitor economy and drive transformational change across Experience
Oxfordshire that significantly contributes to the organisation’s sustainability. We are looking for
someone that has significant experience is successful grant application, management and delivery,
alongside strong commercial acumen to develop and develop new revenue opportunities. The role
would be suitable for someone that is looking to join a small, collaborative team with big plans for
future growth. The individual should be innovative and creative, with strong partnership skills and a
passion for Oxfordshire and the visitor economy.
The business development manager will play a vital role in ensuring the growth and sustainability of
Experience Oxfordshire, with a major focus on successful funded programme application and delivery, implementation of new commercial contracts and commissioned services and ensuring that
delivery standards are consistently high, whilst maximising revenue.
Main Responsibilities:
• Lead on developing and delivering new income streams opportunities to the organistion.
• Support and enhance existing commercial services across the organisation.
• Develop large scale funding bids, to deliver strong added value for Oxfordshire that address
the key challenges and priorities for the visitor economy.
• Identify, develop and implement a new grant programme of activity that highlights new
opportunities and manage the process from application to delivery.
• Identify opportunities and secure income for grant funded projects, operate as project
manager for funded projects.
• Work across the organisation to meet and exceed income targets.
• Responsible for applying for and delivery of funded programmes to ensure projects are
successfully delivered to a high standard, providing demonstrable impact and value for the
funder, the destination and stakeholders, whilst maximising revenue for the organisation.
• To be accountable for delivery against agreed financial and service targets.
• Develop and deliver innovative solutions for the organisation that provide a sustainable
revenue stream for the organisation.
• To develop a commercial strategy for new business that drives additional income into the
business through commissioned services, marketing, partnership, business events and tours
activities.
• Support the development of strategic stakeholder partnerships across the County,
identifying opportunities for collaboration on visitor economy projects.
March 2025
• Ensure that there is appropriate and accurate management information available.
• Work across the organisation to ensure that services are delivered in a joined-up manner.
• Maintain appropriate internal and external networks.
• Ensure that the activities of commercial services are safe and that they comply with
applicable legislation and regulation.
• Ensure that opportunities to generate income are optimised and that services are delivered
in a cost effective and sustainable manner against agreed targets.
• To undertake any such duties that are commensurate with the post as requested by the
CEO.
Communication:
Internally: CEO, Marketing and Partnership, Oxford Official Walking Tours and Finance departments (Board of Directors and Trustees as required).
Externally: Experience Oxfordshire partners, stakeholders, Local Authorities and national agencies as appropriate.
Further Details:
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct reports: None
Location: Office Based Role at Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 1HZ
Salary: £30,000 – 40,000 per annum depending on experience (pro rata)
Hours: Part Time – minimum 24 hours per week
Company Benefits; 25 days annual leave (inclusive of Christmas office closure) plus bank holidays, statutory employee pension scheme, access to company ‘Perks for Partners’ discounts across Oxfordshire providing significant savings, regular team social events, free parking on-site.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 5pm and Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm
For further information and to apply for the role please contact Strong Recruitment at
info@strongrecruitment.co.uk or call 0207 706 2915.
Applications will require your CV and covering letter outlining why you are interested and why you think you would be suitable for the role. Please note applications without a CV will not be
considered.