Category: Business Development & Growth Strategy
Location: Manhattan, New York, NY (Hybrid)
About the Opportunity
Lavner has been retained by a rapidly growing advisory and communications organization to identify a Director of Business Development Strategy to support enterprise growth initiatives across executive and stakeholder-facing markets.
The organization has developed a strong reputation through thoughtful advisory work, long-term client relationships, and disciplined positioning within complex organizational environments. Leadership is seeking an individual capable of helping expand strategic partnerships while maintaining the professionalism and credibility that have defined the firm’s growth to date.
This role is intended for someone who enjoys operating within nuanced relationship-driven environments and understands how to engage sophisticated stakeholders thoughtfully rather than transactionally.
The position offers substantial autonomy, direct interaction with executive leadership, and involvement in broader organizational strategy conversations.
The role is based in Manhattan with hybrid flexibility.
The Environment
The company approaches business development as a strategic relationship function rather than a traditional high-volume sales operation.
Growth efforts are driven through reputation, network development, market intelligence, and long-term trust-building rather than aggressive outbound tactics or heavily scripted sales processes.
The business development team works closely with leadership and contributes directly to discussions surrounding organizational positioning, client experience, partnership strategy, and market expansion priorities.
The environment itself is collaborative, intellectually engaged, and highly professional.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Growth Initiatives
Support initiatives tied to client acquisition, market expansion, referral development, and long-term partnership growth across enterprise markets.
Executive Relationship Management
Build and maintain relationships with senior-level stakeholders, leadership teams, and strategic external partners.
Market Intelligence & Opportunity Mapping
Monitor leadership movement, organizational developments, and broader market trends relevant to growth strategy and relationship development.
Consultative Business Development
Engage prospective organizations thoughtfully while identifying areas where the firm’s advisory capabilities may provide strategic value.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with communications, research, and leadership teams to ensure business development activity aligns with broader organizational priorities and positioning.
Ideal Background
The organization is interested in professionals who combine strong interpersonal capability with strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
Relevant backgrounds may include:
- Business Development
- Strategic Partnerships
- Professional Services
- Executive Search
- Advisory or consulting environments
- Client strategy
- Corporate relationship management
- Communications or agency environments
- Enterprise sales
- Leadership-facing relationship management
Experience engaging with executive stakeholders or sophisticated client environments is strongly preferred.
What the Organization Values
The strongest candidates often demonstrate:
- Strong executive presence
- Excellent communication ability
- Strategic thinking capability
- Professional maturity
- Emotional intelligence
- Intellectual curiosity
- Strong listening skills
- Ability to build long-term trust
- Calm and consultative communication style
- Comfort operating independently
Compensation & Structure
- Competitive base compensation
- Performance-based incentive structure
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Hybrid flexibility
- Long-term leadership growth opportunity
- Direct exposure to executive leadership and strategic initiatives
Compensation will be structured competitively based on overall experience and background.
Confidential Search
This search is being conducted confidentially on behalf of the hiring organization.
Additional details regarding company identity, market focus, 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.