Executive Search Business Development Manager

Executive Search Business Development Manager

Position Summary

We are seeking a driven, relationship-focused Executive Search Business Development Manager to expand our client base and generate new executive and professional search engagements. This is an individual contributor, new-business development role focused on identifying prospective clients, building relationships with senior decision-makers, and converting opportunities into retained and professional search assignments.

The ideal candidate is a proven business developer who is comfortable prospecting, opening doors, developing executive-level relationships, and managing a sales pipeline from initial outreach through signed engagement. Experience within executive search, staffing, recruiting, professional services, consulting, or another relationship-driven B2B environment is strongly preferred.

This position does not carry direct reports . Success is measured primarily by new client acquisition, search revenue generated, pipeline development, and long-term client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic business development plan to generate new executive search opportunities.
• Identify and prospect companies with current or anticipated executive and professional hiring needs.
• Build relationships with C-suite executives, business leaders, HR executives, Talent Acquisition leaders, private equity firms, and other key decision-makers.
• Conduct consistent outbound business development through phone, email, LinkedIn, networking, referrals, conferences, and industry events.
• Generate qualified meetings and introduce prospective clients to the firm's executive search capabilities.
• Lead discovery conversations to understand organizational challenges, talent gaps, hiring priorities, and upcoming leadership needs.
• Present executive search solutions and articulate the firm's value proposition, search methodology, capabilities, and differentiators.
• Develop proposals, negotiate search agreements, and convert qualified opportunities into new engagements.
• Maintain an active pipeline of prospective clients and search opportunities.
• Build relationships that lead to repeat business and expansion into additional functions, divisions, and geographies.
• Partner closely with recruiting and search delivery teams to ensure a smooth transition from business development to search execution.
• Maintain accurate CRM activity, pipeline information, forecasts, and business development metrics.
• Represent the firm professionally at industry conferences, networking events, client meetings, and other business development opportunities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a self-directed individual contributor and natural hunter who enjoys developing new relationships and creating business opportunities.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a demonstrated track record of generating new B2B business and revenue.
• Is comfortable with proactive prospecting and building a book of business.
• Can confidently engage senior executives and HR/Talent Acquisition leaders.
• Understands consultative selling and can uncover business needs rather than simply sell a service.
• Is persistent and disciplined with follow-up while maintaining a professional, relationship-oriented approach.
• Can manage a longer, relationship-driven sales cycle.
• Has strong executive presence and written and verbal communication skills.
• Is comfortable working independently and being accountable for measurable revenue and pipeline goals.
• Understands how to leverage networking, referrals, LinkedIn, conferences, and industry relationships to develop new opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of business development, sales, account development, or client development experience preferred.
• Experience in executive search, recruiting, staffing, professional services, consulting, HR services, or another high-value B2B service environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success acquiring new clients and generating revenue.
• Experience selling to senior executives, HR leadership, Talent Acquisition, or other corporate decision-makers.
• Strong prospecting, relationship development, presentation, negotiation, and closing skills.
• Experience managing a CRM and maintaining a disciplined sales pipeline.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent professional experience.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be evaluated based on:

• New client relationships established
• Qualified client meetings generated
• New search engagements secured
• Revenue generated from new business
• Value and quality of active sales pipeline
• Proposal-to-engagement conversion
• Repeat and expanded business from newly developed accounts
• Consistency of prospecting and business development activity

What Success Looks Like

The Executive Search Business Development Manager consistently creates new conversations with decision-makers, develops a strong pipeline of prospective clients, converts relationships into search engagements, and establishes accounts that generate repeat business over time.

This individual is not expected to manage a sales team. The role is designed for a high-performing individual contributor who wants to personally build relationships, win business, and directly impact the growth of the firm.