Business Development Manager

Association Headquarters is seeking an experienced, dynamic Business Development Manager to join our team!

The Business Development Manager generates new client partner relationships by building and maintaining a highly qualified pipeline and successfully converting opportunities into clients. The manager will lead the complete sales cycle Through proactive outbound prospecting, strategic relationship building, and swift response to inbound leads, in close collaboration with the New Business Development team. By guiding prospects from deep consultative discovery through complex solutioning and final agreement, the Business Development Manager will secure full management or specialized project engagements, ultimately expanding company revenue and strengthening AH’s overall market presence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Multi-Channel Lead Generation: Develop and nurture lasting relationships with collaborators, vendor partners, and association leaders. Execute targeted Account-Based Marketing (ABM) campaigns, leverage affiliate partnerships, activate staff/partner referral networks, and advance inbound sales opportunities.
• Market Awareness: Stay attuned to market changes to identify opportunities that align emerging trends & foresights with the company’s unique capabilities. Maintain a working knowledge of competitive alternatives (other AMCs, self-management, in-house staffing) and articulate how AH’s model addresses each prospect’s specific pain points.
• Pipeline Nurturing and Follow Up: Maintain structured, long-term contact strategies to keep warm leads engaged until they are ready to convert into paying client partners. Partner with the corporate marketing team to identify ongoing lead development and nurturing strategies.
• Consultative Discovery & Needs Assessment: Conduct thorough discovery meetings with prospective association decision-makers to understand their current operating model & goals, organizational challenges, goals, and decision-making process.
• Solution Design & Pricing: Partner with internal service leaders to design customized solutions, develop accurate pricing structures, and craft competitive proposals that clearly articulate the financial value and ROI of AH's proposed solutions.
• End-to-End Sales Cycle & Conversion Accountability: Lead prospective clients through every phase of the pipeline, including product/service presentations, handling objections, negotiating fee structures within approved pricing parameters, and executing contracts to successfully convert leads into realized revenue.
• Sales Discipline & CRM Accuracy: Maintain rigorous sales discipline through accurate and timely CRM management, active pipeline management, and regular, reliable sales forecasting. Uses leading and lagging indicators (stage conversion, cycle time, win rate) to assess pipeline health and forecast accurately; course-corrects early when indicators slip.

COMPETENCIES

• Functional Competency/Initiative/Creativity (Wants it) - Possess the necessary skills and techniques to achieve the desired goal. Takes on new assignments without direction. Can be counted on to bring new ideas, suggestions, and recommendations in addressing challenges, improvements in processes, and procedures.
• Problem Solving/Decision Making (Gets It) - Identifies problems early and develops creative solutions. Decisions are timely and based on sound logical judgment. Possesses the necessary skills to be a leader.
• Sense of Urgency/Planning and Execution (Has the Capacity) - Develops and adheres to a timeline for all projects. Is willing to put in the time necessary to meet and exceed deadlines. Effectively manages the volume of work and can be counted on to get the job done.
• Appearance, Conduct, and Overall Professionalism - Is able to conduct oneself appropriately in professional settings (This includes Strong Interpersonal Skills, Oral, and Written Communications). Adherence to the AH dress code both in the office and while attending events on behalf of AH. Always conduct themselves in a professional manner.
• Core Values - Practices and demonstrates AH’s core values.
• Customer Service - Provides world-class customer service as defined by taking care of both internal and external customer needs by delivering professional, high-quality service, before, during, and after needs are identified.

• Bachelor's degree.
• 10+ years of operations, sales, or marketing experience in the association industry, ideally with direct AMC experience.
• Demonstrated business development success with a track record in consultative selling, building a qualified pipeline, and closing complex service opportunities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong, lasting relationships.
• Experience coordinating directly with internal subject matter experts and service leaders to develop solutions and pricing strategies.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, forecast sales, and make informed decisions.
• Experience in budget management and resource allocation.
• Experience using HubSpot or other relevant CRM and ideally experience in Canva.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional client partner experiences and driving organizational growth.
• Adaptability and Innovation: The ability to adapt to changing market conditions and industry trends, as well as innovative thinking to develop creative sales solutions.
• Passion for the Mission: A genuine passion for the company's mission and values.