Business Development Consultant

TalentRise is an executive search, leadership coaching, and leadership development firm with more than 17 years of experience helping mid- to large-market employers attract, retain, and develop the leaders who drive their growth. Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, we are an Aleron company, a global workforce and business solutions company that has been an industry leader since 1957.

We specialize in retained executive search for directors through C-suite roles across industries including financial services and FinTech, healthcare and life sciences, industrial manufacturing, professional services, nonprofit, private equity/VC-backed companies, digital technology, and retail/e-commerce. Through our affiliation with Praxi Alliance, we also serve global client needs in 35 countries.

Our Executive Coaching and Leadership Development practice partners with organizations to build bench strength at the top—through one-on-one executive coaching, leadership team effectiveness work, assessment-based development, and custom leadership programs. We work alongside our retained executive search business, giving clients a single trusted partner across the full leader lifecycle: search, onboarding, coaching, and development.

We have been recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms and by Hunt Scanlon as a Top Executive Search Firm and a Private Equity Recruiting Power 100 firm. Our Net Promoter Score of 87—nearly double the industry average—reflects the relationship-first approach we take with every client and candidate.

What TalentRise has to offer:

• Full benefits package that includes health insurance, health savings account, dental insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, and 401(k).
• *Pay: OTE $130k + (competitive base plus commission)
• Flexible work options available

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Business Development Consultant to drive new business growth for TalentRise. This is an individual-contributor sales role responsible for identifying, prospecting, and closing new client engagements—from retained executive search assignments at the director through C-suite level to executive coaching, leadership team development, assessments, and custom leadership programs.

This is a high-visibility, quota-carrying role for a consultative salesperson who is energized by building relationships with executive business leaders and who takes pride in translating client needs into compelling, credible solutions. You will own your pipeline end-to-end, from prospecting through proposal and close, and partner closely with our search and coaching delivery teams to ensure a seamless handoff and an exceptional client experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Business Development & Pipeline Generation

• Build and manage a robust pipeline of new business opportunities across TalentRise's Executive Search practice and its Executive Coaching and Leadership Development practice, targeting CHRO, COO, CEO, and senior HR/talent buyers at small- to mid- to large-market organizations.
• Proactively prospect for retained executive search engagements at the director through the C-suite level through outbound outreach, referrals, networking, and industry events, while also surfacing opportunities for executive coaching and leadership development work.
• Develop and execute a territory/account plan with clear targets for pipeline generation, proposals issued, and closed business across both practices.

Consultative Selling & Proposal Development

• Lead discovery conversations with prospective clients to understand their executive search needs first, along with any broader leadership coaching and development needs.
• Partner with executive search consultants, practice leadership, and coaching delivery staff to shape and price tailored solutions: retained search engagements, executive coaching, leadership team development, and assessment programs.
• Develop and deliver compelling proposals and presentations, and lead contract negotiation through to signature.

Client Relationship & Account Management

• Serve as the primary business development point of contact for new clients through the sales cycle, ensuring a smooth handoff to the search team or, for coaching and leadership development engagements, the coaching/delivery team, at engagement kickoff.
• Identify expansion opportunities within existing client accounts, cross-selling executive coaching and leadership development services into search clients and search services into coaching clients.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date pipeline and opportunity data in the CRM, tagged by practice area, to support accurate forecasting and reporting.

Market & Brand Development

• Represent TalentRise's Executive Search and Executive Coaching & Leadership Development practices at industry events, conferences, and networking functions across the Charlotte and Mississauga/Toronto markets and beyond.
• Contribute to thought leadership and marketing efforts, market insights, case studies, and content, spanning both practices to build the firm's brand and pipeline.
• Stay current on trends in executive search, executive coaching, and leadership development to speak credibly to client needs and competitive positioning.

What You Bring

Required

• Experience: 5+ years of business-to-business sales or business development experience, with a demonstrated track record selling retained executive search or other high-value, relationship-based professional services to senior HR and business leaders; experience selling executive coaching, leadership development, or other L&D solutions is a strong plus.
• Track record: Demonstrated success building a pipeline from scratch and consistently meeting or exceeding new-business sales targets.
• Executive presence: Confidence and credibility to engage and influence senior executives (CHRO, CLO, CEO, and other C-suite buyers), with a consultative, relationship-first sales style.
• Business acumen: Ability to understand a prospective client's executive talent and leadership needs, whether a search assignment or a coaching/development need, and translate them into a compelling, tailored solution.
• Communication: Polished written and verbal communication skills; able to represent TalentRise as an ambassador in front of senior audiences.
• Technology: Proficiency with a CRM (e.g., MS Dynamics or similar), LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and Microsoft 365.
• Education: Bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional experience.
• Location: Based in (or willing to work from) Charlotte, NC, or Mississauga, ON, with the ability to work across U.S. and Canadian time zones as needed.

Preferred

• Prior experience selling retained executive search engagements to director-through-c-suite hiring authorities.
• Prior experience selling executive coaching, leadership development, assessment, or organizational development solutions.
• Existing network of HR, talent, or business leaders in the Charlotte or Toronto/Mississauga markets.
• Professional certification or training in sales methodology (e.g., Sandler, Challenger, MEDDIC) is a plus but not required.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Travel:

• This role operates in a modern, hybrid work environment, utilizing technology such as laptops, video conferencing tools, cloud-based applications, and collaborative platforms. Flexibility for remote work is supported, while in-office settings may still involve the use of standard office equipment like computers, telephones, and printers.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those required for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While carrying out job duties, the employee must regularly be able to speak clearly and hear effectively to communicate with others. The role also frequently requires standing, walking, using hands for fine motor tasks, and reaching with arms.
• This position requires moderate travel to meet with clients and prospects and to represent the Company at industry events, as business needs require, potentially including cross-border travel between the U.S. and Canada.
• Must possess a valid driver's license (or passport, for cross-border travel), a good driving record, and a serviceable vehicle suitable for business transportation, as applicable to the work location.

Additional Information:

• This job description is subject to change and may be adjusted to meet the company’s needs.
• Upon receiving an offer of employment, candidates will be required to undergo a background check and, where applicable by location, drug screening. Depending on the role, additional industry-specific skills testing may also be necessary prior to placement.

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, VIA) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada, as applicable to the location for which they are applying. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.

* The compensation range provided represents our good faith representation of the high and low pay range for this position.