Category: Business Development & Strategic Growth
Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY (Hybrid)
About the Opportunity
Lavner has been engaged by a high-growth advisory and communications organization to identify a Director of Strategic Partnerships to support enterprise business development initiatives across corporate, agency, and institutional relationships.
This role is intended for someone capable of operating in sophisticated relationship-driven environments where trust, credibility, and strategic thinking matter substantially more than transactional sales activity.
The organization has developed a strong reputation within executive and stakeholder-facing markets and is seeking an individual who can help deepen existing relationships while identifying thoughtful avenues for long-term growth.
The position combines strategic business development, relationship management, and market-facing leadership exposure within a highly collaborative environment.
The role is based in Midtown Manhattan with hybrid flexibility.
The Environment
This is not a traditional high-volume outbound sales environment.
The organization approaches growth through long-term relationship building, market intelligence, reputation, and trusted advisory positioning rather than aggressive transactional business development tactics.
Leadership is seeking someone capable of engaging thoughtfully with senior decision-makers while understanding the broader strategic and organizational dynamics behind client relationships.
The environment rewards curiosity, communication quality, professionalism, responsiveness, and emotional intelligence.
Individuals who perform well here are typically comfortable navigating ambiguity, building trust gradually, and operating with a high level of independence.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Relationship Development
Build and maintain relationships across executive leadership teams, corporate stakeholders, advisory partners, and institutional networks.
Business Development Initiatives
Support growth initiatives tied to new client acquisition, partnership development, referral channels, and market expansion opportunities.
Market Intelligence
Track industry movement, leadership changes, organizational growth patterns, and market developments relevant to business development strategy.
Executive Engagement
Participate in senior-level meetings, relationship discussions, and strategic conversations involving prospective and existing client organizations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with communications, research, and leadership teams to align growth strategy with broader organizational positioning and capabilities.
Ideal Background
The organization is open to a range of backgrounds provided candidates demonstrate strong interpersonal capability, strategic thinking, and relationship management maturity.
Relevant experience may include:
- Strategic Partnerships
- Business Development
- Client Advisory
- Executive Search
- Professional Services
- Communications or agency environments
- Corporate strategy
- Account leadership
- Institutional relationship management
- Consulting or stakeholder-facing advisory roles
Experience operating within relationship-driven or executive-facing environments is strongly preferred.
What Stands Out
The strongest candidates often demonstrate:
- Exceptional interpersonal communication
- Strong executive presence
- Intellectual curiosity
- Strategic thinking capability
- High emotional intelligence
- Professional maturity
- Ability to build trust organically
- Strong listening skills
- Comfort operating within nuanced environments
- Low-pressure, consultative communication style
Compensation & Structure
- Competitive base compensation
- Performance-based incentive structure
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Hybrid flexibility
- Long-term leadership growth opportunity
- Exposure to executive stakeholders and strategic 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, market focus, and compensation structure 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.