Marketing and Business Development Executive

Trust Description

The Venkat Trust offers every child in the poor fishing village of Kovalam in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu the opportunity of an outstanding free education. Before its arrival in 2004, free education stopped at the end of primary school and few families could afford the cost of the next stage. The educational opportunities provided by the Trust transform lives and give a route out of the poverty endured by generations.

In partnership with the Tamil Nadu Government, the Venkat Trust built the village's first free High School which opened in 2013 for 240 students. Since then, the Trust has facilitated the school's promotion to Higher Secondary status,has built 20 more classrooms and provided two school buses, an audio/visual English lab,a state-of-the art science block and many other facilities.There are now 950 students in the school which is producing some high achieving graduates who are progressing in their chosen careers of medicine, law, IT, engineers, teachers etc.There are 6,848 high and higher secondary schools in the State and our school has been named among the top ten and the best in the District of 500 schools.Sport features strongly in the school's activities and among its students there are some strikingly successful cricket, snooker and kabaddi players.

The Primary School was virtually rebuilt in the early years of the Venkat Trust's operation and from its once bottom of the pile rating it has become a sought after award-winning school.The 400-child sponsorship scheme supports the poorest children, who also benefit from its pastoral support throughout their childhood and into young adulthood. All sponsored children have the opportunity to progress to university or vocational training, their fees paid by the Trust. At any one time, some 75 young people are in further education.

Find out more about us onwww.venkattrust.org.uk

Role Description

The newly created position ofMarketing and Business Development Executiveis based in Kovalum and is focused on generating new funding by building and managing relationships with business leaders and companies in the Chennai area, converting local corporate engagement into sustained financial support for the Trust.

1.Venkat Trust

• Research and identify local businesses and organisations in the Chennai area that may be open to supporting the Trust
• Support outreach to potential donors and partners through emails, calls and meetings
• Build and maintain day-to-day relationships with contacts in local businesses, escalating senior opportunities to Trustees where appropriate
• Prepare basic funding proposals, presentations, and pitch materials using agreed templates and guidance
• Maintain a simple prospect and activity tracker, recording contacts, meetings, and outcomes which are used to update the Managing Trustee
• Assist in organising and attending local meetings, visits to the Trust, and small networking events.
• Support marketing activity aimed at the local business community, including simple content, updates, and case studies using email, website and social media
• Communicate the Trust's work and impact clearly and accurately to external audiences.

2.Venkat Villa and Venkat House.

Venkat Villa, a beachside house with two bedrooms, and Venkat House, two one bedroomed rooms, offer quality accommodation for paying guests.All profits go to the Venkat Trust. The role will additionally:

• Market and promote Venkat Villa and Venkat House to maximise occupancy and rental income
• Manage property listings on relevant platforms (e.g. online portals, social media), keeping content accurate and up to date
• Liaise with local travel agents and tour operators in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and South India States
• Prepare simple marketing materials (descriptions, photos, rate cards) using agreed formats and guidance
• Track enquiries, bookings, occupancy, and feedback, reporting regularly on performance and issues
• Gather feedback from tenants or guests and flag improvement opportunities that could support better occupancy or pricing
• Take day-to-day responsibility for the operational management of Venkat Villa and Venkat House, ensuring the properties are well maintained, clean, and that guest check-ins are handled efficiently and professionally.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree or equivalent in marketing, business, communications, or a related field
• 23 years experience in a marketing, business development, sales support, or customer-facing role
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Comfortable engaging with local business owners, professionals, and external stakeholders
• Organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to track contacts, tasks, & follow-ups reliably
• Practical experience using basic tools such as email, spreadsheets, & presentation software
• Willingness to work hands-on, including site visits, meetings, & occasional out-of-hours activity
• Self-motivated and reliable, able to work independently with limited supervision
• Prior exposure to hospitality, property management, fundraising, or NGO work is an advantage, not a requirement