Category: Business Development & Relationship Management
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Hybrid)
About the Opportunity
Lavner has partnered with a growing strategic communications and advisory organization to identify a Senior Business Development Associate to support relationship development, client growth initiatives, and executive-facing business strategy efforts.
The organization has built a strong reputation through long-term partnerships, thoughtful advisory work, and disciplined client engagement within sophisticated stakeholder environments.
This role is designed for someone who enjoys relationship-building, market strategy, and organizational dynamics more than transactional sales activity. The position offers substantial exposure to leadership, direct involvement in growth conversations, and the opportunity to contribute to broader market expansion initiatives.
The role is based in Philadelphia with a flexible hybrid structure.
The Environment
The company operates with a highly consultative approach to business development and places significant value on professionalism, communication quality, and long-term credibility.
The business development team works closely with executive leadership and is involved in strategic discussions surrounding client relationships, market positioning, and organizational growth opportunities.
This is not a highly scripted or overly process-heavy sales environment. Leadership values individuals who can think independently, communicate thoughtfully, and build trust organically with sophisticated stakeholders.
The environment is collaborative, intellectually engaged, and well-suited for professionals who operate with maturity and curiosity.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Relationship Development
Support the cultivation and management of relationships across prospective client organizations, strategic partners, and leadership stakeholders.
Business Development Initiatives
Assist with growth initiatives tied to new business opportunities, partnership development, referral generation, and market expansion strategy.
Market Intelligence
Monitor organizational developments, leadership movement, industry activity, and broader market trends relevant to business development priorities.
Executive Engagement
Participate in meetings, strategic discussions, and relationship-building conversations involving senior-level stakeholders and prospective clients.
Cross-Functional Coordination
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 open to a variety of professional backgrounds provided candidates demonstrate strong communication capability, relationship management maturity, and commercial awareness.
Relevant experience may include:
- Business Development
- Strategic Partnerships
- Professional Services
- Executive Search
- Advisory or consulting environments
- Client strategy
- Communications or agency environments
- Account management
- Relationship management
- Leadership-facing sales functions
Experience engaging with executive stakeholders or sophisticated client environments is strongly preferred.
What the Organization Values
The strongest candidates often demonstrate:
- Strong interpersonal communication
- Professional maturity
- Executive presence
- Emotional intelligence
- Strategic thinking capability
- Curiosity regarding organizations and markets
- Strong listening skills
- Thoughtful relationship management approach
- Ability to build trust gradually
- Comfort operating with autonomy
Compensation & Structure
- Competitive base compensation
- Performance-based incentive structure
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Hybrid flexibility
- Long-term advancement opportunity
- Exposure to executive leadership and strategic growth initiatives
Compensation will be aligned competitively based on experience and overall background.
Confidential Search
This search is being conducted confidentially on behalf of the hiring organization.
Additional details regarding organizational structure, market focus, and compensation parameters will be discussed with qualified individuals during the process.
Apply
Professionals interested in confidential consideration are encouraged to apply through Lavner.
All inquiries will be handled with discretion.