Category: Business Development & Advisory Services
Location: Upper East Side, New York, NY (Hybrid)
About the Opportunity
Lavner has been retained by an established leadership advisory and strategic communications organization to identify a Director of Client Development & Advisory Partnerships to support continued expansion across enterprise, institutional, and executive-facing markets.
The organization works closely with leadership teams navigating visibility, growth, organizational change, and stakeholder complexity. As a result, the business development function operates far more as a strategic relationship discipline than a traditional sales environment.
This role is intended for someone who understands how to build trust with sophisticated stakeholders, navigate nuanced conversations, and identify long-term partnership opportunities within complex organizations.
The position offers direct exposure to executive leadership, substantial autonomy, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to broader growth strategy.
The role is based on the Upper East Side with hybrid flexibility.
The Environment
The company has developed a strong reputation through high-touch advisory work, disciplined client service, and long-term relationship management.
Leadership intentionally avoids aggressive sales culture dynamics in favor of a more consultative and credibility-driven approach to growth. The environment values professionalism, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and communication quality.
The business development team operates closely with communications, research, and leadership stakeholders, creating an environment where market awareness and organizational understanding are viewed as critical competitive advantages.
This is a collaborative and intellectually engaged environment suited for professionals who prefer thoughtful relationship-building over transactional outreach.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Client Development
Build and maintain relationships with executive stakeholders, institutional partners, and prospective client organizations across priority markets.
Growth Strategy Support
Contribute to initiatives involving market expansion, partnership development, referral channels, and long-term client acquisition strategy.
Executive Engagement
Participate in leadership discussions, strategic meetings, and client-facing conversations involving senior organizational stakeholders.
Market Intelligence & Opportunity Mapping
Monitor leadership movement, organizational developments, industry activity, and broader market trends relevant to growth strategy.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with leadership, communications, and advisory teams to ensure business development activity aligns with broader organizational positioning and strategic priorities.
Ideal Background
The organization is interested in professionals who combine strong interpersonal capability with commercial awareness and executive maturity.
Relevant backgrounds may include:
- Business Development
- Executive Search
- Strategic Partnerships
- Professional Services
- Advisory or consulting environments
- Client advisory
- Corporate relationship management
- Communications or stakeholder-facing organizations
- Account leadership
- Enterprise sales environments
Experience operating within executive-facing or relationship-driven markets is strongly preferred.
What Stands Out
The strongest individuals in this environment often demonstrate:
- Strong executive presence
- High emotional intelligence
- Exceptional interpersonal communication
- Strategic thinking capability
- Professional maturity
- Strong listening skills
- Intellectual curiosity
- Ability to build long-term trust
- Calm and thoughtful communication style
- Comfort operating independently within nuanced environments
Compensation & Structure
- Competitive base compensation
- Performance-based incentive structure
- Comprehensive health and retirement benefits
- Hybrid flexibility
- Long-term leadership growth opportunity
- Direct exposure to executive leadership and strategic client initiatives
Compensation will be structured competitively based on experience and overall alignment.
Confidential Search
This search is being conducted confidentially on behalf of the hiring organization.
Additional information regarding company identity, reporting structure, and compensation details will be shared during the interview process.
Apply
Professionals interested in confidential consideration are encouraged to apply through Lavner.
All inquiries will be handled with discretion.