Business Development & AI Automation Associate

Full-Time | Manchester, UK (Flexible Office Attendance)

About Arcube

Arcube is a fast-growing, Manchester-based travel-tech company helping airlines generate more revenue by selling additional travel products to their passengers.

We combine 16+ travel products, including airport lounges, car rentals, eSIMs, airport transfers and experiences, making it easy for airlines to offer these products through their websites and other digital channels. We also personalise product recommendations, pricing and timing for each passenger to help airlines maximise sales.

We're already working with airline partners across four continents, including SalamAir, ValueJet, Arajet and JetSMART, and have an ambitious target of working with airlines carrying a combined 100 million passengers annually by the end of 2027.

Backed by Oxford Capital, Fuel Ventures and travel-tech veterans, we're building one of the next major players in airline technology.

We're a lean, ambitious team that values speed, ownership, curiosity and getting things done. As we scale, we're looking for exceptional people who want to grow with us and have a direct impact on the business.

Role Overview

We're looking for a Business Development & AI Automation Associate to help accelerate Arcube's growth by identifying new opportunities, building relationships with airlines, and using AI to make our sales processes faster, smarter and more scalable.

This isn't a traditional sales role.

You'll work directly with Arcube's founders, take ownership of outbound sales campaigns, attend meetings with senior executives across the travel industry, represent Arcube at international aviation events, and help move opportunities through the sales pipeline.

A core part of the role will involve building and maintaining AI-powered workflows to automate everything from lead research and prospecting to campaign management and internal processes.

We're not looking for someone who simply knows how to use ChatGPT. We want someone who has genuinely experimented with, built and deployed AI tools and automations to solve real problems.

You don't need previous experience in travel technology or even a traditional sales background. What matters most is that you're ambitious, commercially curious, resourceful, technically comfortable with AI, and willing to take ownership.

What You'll Do

Business Development & Lead Generation

• Research, identify and qualify potential airline and travel industry partners across global markets.
• Build targeted prospect lists using research tools, AI-powered enrichment and prospecting platforms.
• Own the end-to-end execution of outbound campaigns, including cold emails, LinkedIn outreach, personalisation, campaign tracking and optimisation.
• Identify new business opportunities through industry research, events, partnerships and professional networks.

Sales & Relationship Management

• Work directly with Arcube's team on sales opportunities, attending calls with airline executives and industry partners.
• Progressively take ownership of introductory sales meetings, product demonstrations and pitches.
• Coordinate follow-ups, track next steps and ensure opportunities continue progressing through the sales pipeline.
• Maintain an accurate and organised CRM, including prospect details, meeting notes, deal progression and relevant industry knowledge.
• Work with the team to progress qualified opportunities through the early stages of the sales cycle before handing them over for later-stage commercial negotiations and contracting.
• Represent Arcube at international travel conferences, trade shows and industry networking events.

AI Automation & Sales Operations

• Build, deploy and maintain AI-powered workflows that make our business development processes more efficient and scalable.
• Use tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, AI agents, MCPs and APIs to automate repetitive tasks across prospecting, research, outreach and internal operations.
• Experiment with new AI tools and continuously identify opportunities to improve how the team operates.
• Create and customise sales presentations, product demonstrations and other commercial materials using AI-powered tools such as Lovable, Figma and similar platforms.
• Maintain and improve Arcube's internal sales knowledge base, documentation and processes.
• You'll have the freedom to experiment, introduce new tools and build systems that genuinely improve how we work.

Interview Process

We value practical ability, initiative and problem-solving over lengthy interviews or impressive CVs. Our interview process is designed to understand how you think, what you've built and how you approach real-world challenges.

Introductory Call: An initial conversation to learn about your background, ambitions, AI experience and interest in the role. We'll also explain more about Arcube, the responsibilities and compensation.

Practical AI Automation Challenge: A short, practical exercise to demonstrate your ability to build AI-powered workflows and solve real business problems. We're more interested in how you approach problems and what you can build than in your familiarity with specific tools.

Founders' Interview: Meet Arcube's founders for a deeper discussion about your experience, commercial thinking, initiative, how you'd contribute to the company's growth and how it can contribute to yours.

Paid Workday at Our Manchester Office (Final 3 Candidates): Spend a fully paid, flexible day working alongside the team on real business development and AI-related tasks. This gives both you and us an opportunity to understand what working together would actually look like.

We'll keep you informed throughout the process and aim to make it as straightforward and efficient as possible.

Interested?

If you're ambitious, love experimenting with AI tools, enjoy connecting with people and want to play a meaningful role in building a fast-growing global company, we'd love to hear from you.

You don't need years of sales experience. Show us what you've built, how you think and why you're excited to join Arcube.

Requirements

What You'll Bring

0–3 years of professional experience, whether in business development, startups, commercial operations or a related field. Recent graduates with strong practical experience are encouraged to apply. While this role is primarily aimed at early-career candidates, we're also open to applicants with more experience who are excited by the opportunity to take ownership and grow with a fast-moving company.

Hands-on experience building AI workflows and automations, using tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, AI agents, MCPs, APIs or similar technologies.

Familiarity with AI-assisted prospecting and sales tools such as Clay, Apollo or equivalent platforms, or the ability to learn them quickly.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage with senior professionals and represent Arcube externally.

A genuine interest in business development, startups, technology and understanding how businesses grow.

A proactive, independent approach to problem-solving. You're comfortable figuring things out without needing step-by-step instructions.

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, particularly when managing multiple prospects, campaigns and follow-ups.

A willingness to learn quickly, experiment with new tools and continuously improve existing processes.

Enthusiasm for international travel to represent Arcube at industry events.

You don't need to know anything about airlines or travel technology when you join. We'll teach you the industry. What we can't teach is genuine hunger, initiative and the drive to make things happen.

Benefits

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive base salary + uncapped commission, rewarding your contribution to growing Arcube's airline partner network.
• Equity / stock options, giving you an opportunity to share in the company's long-term success.
• Flexible office attendance at our Manchester city-centre office, with the opportunity to work closely with the founders.
• International travel opportunities, attending aviation conferences, networking events and meetings around the world. Business travel expenses covered.
• Direct exposure to startup leadership, including airline executives, investors, founders and senior decision-makers across the travel industry.
• Real ownership from day one, with the freedom to run campaigns, build AI workflows and shape how our commercial operations develop.
• Travel perks and hands-on access to Arcube's ancillary products, including airport lounges, eSIMs, car rentals and more.
• The opportunity to join a venture-backed startup at an exciting stage of growth, with significant scope for career progression.
• Compensation details, including base salary, commission structure and equity, will be discussed during the introductory call.