Client Relationship and Business Development

The Center Club Leadership Mindset

At The Center Club, our leaders are expected to exemplify professionalism, integrity, and a relentless commitment to delivering an exceptional member experience. As a premier private club, we believe that every manager plays a critical role in shaping our culture, elevating service standards, developing talent, and ensuring operational excellence throughout the organization.

Managers at The Center Club are expected to be highly visible, member-focused leaders who foster meaningful relationships and anticipate the evolving needs of our membership. Leadership is defined not only by operational success, but by the ability to inspire teams, cultivate collaboration, and create an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and accountable for excellence.

Successful leaders at The Center Club demonstrate a passion for hospitality, a commitment to service excellence, and the ability to create memorable experiences through thoughtful execution and attention to detail. Managers are expected to lead by example, uphold the Club's standards and values, and promote a culture rooted in teamwork, respect, communication, and continuous improvement.

In addition to operational leadership, managers are expected to possess strong business acumen and financial expertise, including the ability to manage budgets responsibly, drive revenue opportunities, control expenses, and make strategic decisions that support the long-term success and sustainability of the Club. Leaders are expected to think proactively, embrace innovation, and continuously seek opportunities to enhance operations, programming, member engagement, and overall Club performance.

The Center Club values leaders who are committed to talent development through mentorship, coaching, training, and accountability. We believe exceptional leaders build exceptional teams by creating a culture of trust, collaboration, recognition, and professional growth.

Above all, managers at The Center Club are expected to embody the principles of servant leadership - placing members, employees, and the overall success of the Club at the center of every decision while consistently delivering an elevated hospitality experience that reflects the prestige and tradition of our organization.

This role serves as a strategic ambassador for The Center Club, building relationships with business leaders, member companies, professional organizations, and community stakeholders to develop a strong pipeline of prospective business.

Client Relationship & Business Development Manager

The Client Relationship & Business Development Manager is responsible for generating new business opportunities for the Club, with a primary focus on corporate meetings, business entertaining, board dinners, conferences, client receptions, private dining, and special events.

This position is responsible for both maintaining client relationships to drive repeat and expanded event activity and for generating new business. The ideal candidate is a proactive relationship builder who excels at opening doors, identifying opportunities, and cultivating long-term client engagement with the Club's event and hospitality offerings. Once opportunities are identified, the Client Relationship & Business Development Manager partners closely with internal colleagues responsible for proposal development, contracting, event planning, and execution.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Client Relationship Ownership & Development

• Own and maintain ongoing relationships with clients and member accounts after initial booking to drive repeat business, referrals, and expanded event opportunities.

• Conduct proactive outreach to members and past clients to uncover new meeting, dining, and event opportunities.

• Serve as a trusted resource for clients seeking venue solutions for business entertaining and corporate functions.

• Follow up after client engagements and events to strengthen relationships, encourage referrals, and identify future opportunities.

Business Development & Pipeline Generation

• Develop and execute a business development strategy focused on generating corporate meetings, business entertaining, board dinners, conferences, client receptions, private dining, and special events.

• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified prospects and referral sources.

• Cultivate relationships with member companies, professional organizations, local businesses, and key decision-makers to generate new event opportunities.

• Actively prospect through networking, referrals, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.

• Prioritize outreach to executives, office administrators, executive assistants, event planners, and other key influencers involved in venue selection.

• Represent the Club within the business community and position it as a premier destination for meetings, entertaining, and events.

• Identify opportunities to introduce qualified prospects to Club membership in partnership with membership leadership.

Opportunity Development & Internal Collaboration

• Conduct initial discovery conversations to understand client needs, timelines, and event requirements.

• Qualify opportunities and transition them to internal team responsible for proposals, contracting, planning, and execution.

• Share market insights, client feedback, and competitive intelligence with Club leadership.

Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate records of prospects, client interactions, and business development activity.

• Track key performance indicators including pipeline growth, qualified leads, referrals, booked business, and revenue generated from sourced opportunities.

• Prepare regular pipeline updates and business development reports for leadership review.

• Ensure consistent follow-up and disciplined pipeline management practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field preferred.

• 3-5+ years of experience in business development, corporate sales, hospitality sales, private clubs, hotels, conference centers, or related industries.

• Proven success generating new business and managing long-term client relationships.

• Strong networking, prospecting, and communication skills.

• Experience managing a sales or business development pipeline.

• Excellent presentation and interpersonal abilities.

• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Personal Attributes

• Outgoing, relationship-oriented, and highly professional.

• Skilled at building credibility with executives, members, and business leaders.

• Self-motivated with a strong sense of initiative and accountability.

• Proactive, curious, and opportunity-driven.

• Strong communicator with excellent listening skills.

• Comfortable representing the Club in professional and social settings. • Collaborative team player.

• Flexible schedule aligned with networking, business development activity, and Club events.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Qualified leads generated

• Pipeline growth and activity

• New business opportunities identified

• Conversion of prospects to booked business

• Revenue generated from sourced opportunities

• Corporate account growth and expansion

• Repeat business and referral generation

• CRM accuracy and activity tracking