Category: Business Development & Executive Partnerships
Location: Manhattan, New York, NY (Hybrid)
About the Opportunity
Lavner has been retained by a high-growth leadership advisory and strategic communications organization to identify a Vice President of Client Partnerships & Growth to help lead enterprise relationship development across executive-facing markets.
The organization has built its reputation through long-term client relationships, sophisticated advisory work, and disciplined positioning within complex stakeholder environments. Leadership is seeking an individual capable of expanding strategic partnerships while maintaining the professionalism, credibility, and thoughtful communication style that define the firm’s brand.
This role is intended for someone who understands how to build trust with senior decision-makers, navigate nuanced organizational dynamics, and operate effectively within relationship-driven environments where credibility matters substantially more than transactional sales tactics.
The position offers direct exposure to executive leadership, meaningful strategic influence, and long-term growth potential.
The role is based in Manhattan with hybrid flexibility.
The Environment
The company approaches business development as a strategic advisory function rather than a traditional sales operation.
Growth efforts are centered around relationship quality, executive engagement, market intelligence, and long-term positioning rather than volume-driven outreach or heavily scripted sales processes.
The business development team operates closely with leadership and participates directly in conversations involving market expansion, organizational positioning, partnership strategy, and client experience.
The environment itself is collaborative, intellectually engaged, and highly professional. Leadership values maturity, communication quality, responsiveness, and emotional intelligence.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Executive Relationship Development
Build and maintain relationships with senior-level stakeholders, enterprise leadership teams, and strategic external partners across priority markets.
Strategic Growth Initiatives
Support business development initiatives tied to partnership expansion, client acquisition, referral generation, and broader organizational growth strategy.
Consultative Client Engagement
Lead thoughtful discussions with prospective organizations regarding leadership challenges, stakeholder dynamics, communication priorities, and advisory needs.
Market Intelligence & Opportunity Mapping
Monitor industry developments, organizational movement, leadership transitions, and broader market trends relevant to growth strategy.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Partner closely with communications, research, and executive leadership teams to align business development activity with broader organizational priorities and market positioning.
Ideal Background
The organization is interested in professionals who combine commercial awareness with executive maturity and strong interpersonal capability.
Relevant backgrounds may include:
- Business Development
- Strategic Partnerships
- Professional Services
- Executive Search
- Advisory or consulting environments
- Enterprise relationship management
- Client strategy
- Communications or agency leadership
- Stakeholder-facing advisory work
- Leadership-facing sales environments
Experience engaging with senior executive stakeholders is strongly preferred.
What the Organization Values
The strongest candidates often demonstrate:
- Strong executive presence
- Exceptional communication ability
- Strategic thinking capability
- Professional maturity
- High emotional intelligence
- Strong listening and relationship management skills
- Intellectual curiosity
- Ability to build trust organically
- Calm and consultative communication style
- Comfort operating independently within nuanced environments
Compensation & Structure
- Competitive base compensation
- Significant performance-based incentive structure
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Hybrid flexibility
- Long-term leadership growth opportunity
- Direct exposure to executive leadership and strategic expansion initiatives
Compensation will be structured competitively based on experience, market background, and overall alignment.
Confidential Search
This search is being conducted confidentially on behalf of the hiring organization.
Additional details regarding company identity, reporting structure, and compensation parameters will be discussed during the interview process.
Apply
Professionals interested in confidential consideration are encouraged to apply through Lavner.
All inquiries will be handled with discretion.