Business Development Manager

Who you are

• 10+ years of business development, sales, or government relations experience in student transportation, transit, or a closely related public-sector-facing industry
• Existing, active relationships with Superintendents, Transportation Directors, and/or state transportation or education officials— this is a relationship-first hire, not a cold-start territory builder
• Demonstrated success managing long, multi-stakeholder public-sector sales cycles and competitive government RFP processes, including oral/interview presentations
• Strong consultative selling skills: ability to diagnose a district's pressures and position Zūm CMX credibly
• High degree of personal integrity and discretion. This role represents Zūm to public officials and must navigate procurement ethics rules and gift/hospitality policies correctly
• Existing membership or active involvement in state pupil transportation associations (e.g., TAPT in Texas, NYAPT in New York) or national bodies (NAPT, NSTA)
• Bachelor's degree, though relevant relationship depth and track record will outweigh formal education requirements

What the job involves

• This role is about relationships, not cold outreach
• We're looking for a seasoned business development professional who is already known, and knows, the Superintendents, Transportation Directors, and state Departments of Education/Transportation officials who shape student mobility decisions
• You’ve spent time building relationships in the room with these stakeholders: at conferences, over dinner, on the phone at odd hours
• You understand the rhythm of public-sector budget cycles and RFPs, and you know how to move a relationship from a handshake to a signed contract without coming across as transactional
• You'll be on Zūm's front lines - building the pipeline, shaping the strategy, and earning business that lets Zūm reach more students
• Lead new-business growth for Zūm across a defined state or regional territory (e.g., Texas or New York), building and executing a strategic account and government-relations plan
• Build and personally maintain deep, durable relationships with Superintendents, district Transportation Directors, Business/Finance Officials, and state-level transportation or education officials
• Represent Zūm in person — conferences, association events, district visits, and relationship-building engagements (dinners, site visits, industry functions)
• Identify and qualify new business opportunities by tracking district budget cycles, contract expirations, RFP calendars, and state policy or funding shifts that create openings
• Support competitive public-sector RFP processes, assembling and coaching internal teams through written responses and oral/interview presentations
• Serve as the trusted advisor and go-to relationship for named accounts even after close, ensuring smooth handoff to Operations and protecting the relationship through renewal
• Represent Zūm with state pupil transportation associations, school board associations, and relevant government affairs forums to build brand presence and credibility

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision benefits, including paid membership to One Medical
• Unlimited vacation policy
• Free daily catered lunches + fully stocked kitchen at HQ
• Ability to have a huge impact at an early-stage, mission-driven startup
• Fun office culture and a team you would be proud to work with