We are seeking a
Business Development Manager, Emerging Sectors
to lead the development and implementation of strategic relationship-building efforts to grow Charcoalblue's business development and global market presence in the Workplace, Hospitality & Leisure, Experiential, Media & Technology, and Sports & Live Entertainment sectors. You will use your influence, insight, and commercial acumen to build connections and relationships with our global clients and collaborators, and to support our Acoustic, Experience, and Theatre Consulting Business Units' growth plans.
The ideal candidate will bring experience in one or more of our emerging sectors and excel at building external relationships. As a self-motivated team member and a strong communicator, you will be comfortable traveling for more than 50% of your working time on average, representing the company at global conferences and events.
You will report to the Associate Director – Business Development (BD) and collaborate with Business Unit (BU) leadership across the company. You will also work closely with fellow members of the global Marketing and Business Development team and engage with team members who have specialised expertise in the identified sectors.
You will mentor junior BD team members and champion inclusive, innovative engagement strategies that contribute to Charcoalblue's long-term success.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Relationship Development
* Develop and execute relationship-building strategies that align with company-wide and internal growth goals and sector plans.
* Build trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders, clients, collaborators, and thought leaders across multiple geographies and sectors.
* Lead or co-lead attendance opportunities at conferences and industry events, acting as a credible and values-led representative of Charcoalblue.
* Champion inclusive and ethical relationship management, reflecting our values and business standards.
* Collaborate closely with Business Unit (BU) boards to drive strategic growth initiatives.
* Establish and nurture high-value relationships, ensuring effective handover or joint engagement with relevant BU stakeholders or Market Sector Experts.
Opportunity Creation, Responsiveness & Market Influence
* Leverage insights and networks to identify potential opportunities before formal procurement stages.
* Shape outreach tactics that are innovative, commercially astute, and tailored to each sector.
* Guide decision-making around pursuit and prioritisation of leads.
* Translate sector intelligence into actionable strategy updates.
* Provide timely, strategic guidance in response to new opportunities within identified sectors.
* Advise on proposal approach, develop content and input on appropriate fee structures to ensure compelling, competitive, successful submissions.
Tools, Insight & Business Knowledge
* Use the CRM tool as a business-critical tool for tracking, influencing, and reporting engagement, in collaboration with the Associate Director – BD.
* Collaborate with the Marketing & Business Development (MBD) team in illustrating business development KPIs and report to the Partnership team.
* Act as a key contributor to thought leadership strategy and proactive business positioning.
* Design and implement systems to surface and share insights into emerging sectors and markets, ensuring our market positioning is visible and understood across all teams through clear, engaging presentations and accessible reporting.
* Partner with senior BD colleagues to evolve Charcoalblue's global market position.
Cultural & Organisational Contributions
* Role-model accountability, integrity, and ethical decision-making in all business development activities.
* Actively participate in internal strategic planning efforts, bringing market perspectives and creative thinking to the table.
* Inspire and mentor MBD team Coordinators and Assistants to build their relationship development skills with support from the Associate Director - BD.
* Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and active listening across teams.
* Promote Charcoalblue through professional platforms and contribute to digital platforms, aligned with wider communication and PR efforts.
* Support broader initiatives including the organisational Environmental Sustainability, Equity Diversity & Inclusion, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategic goals.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive and may be subject to alteration over time.
Qualifications
We value diverse experiences and educational backgrounds. If you meet most of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply. At Charcoalblue, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive.
Essential
* Five (5) or more years of business development or sales experience in a B2B-focused environment—such as a consulting firm, design agency, architecture or engineering practice, creative studio, or professional services firm—with direct experience in one or more of the following sectors: Workplace, Hospitality, Leisure, Experiential, Media & Technology, Sports & Live Entertainment, or a closely related field.
Desirable
* Experience in or demonstrated understanding of Acoustics, Experience Design, or Theatre Consulting strongly preferred.
* Prior experience using Deltek VantagePoint (CRM) or a similar platform.
* Proficiency with Adobe InDesign.
* Demonstrated success in senior-level relationship management, with the ability to build and sustain trust-based partnerships across diverse sectors and geographies.
* Strong strategic thinking and commercial insight, with a track record of identifying and converting opportunities aligned with organisational growth goals.
* Proficiency in negotiation and influence, with the ability to frame ideas for alignment and buy-in from senior stakeholders.
* Excellent written and verbal communication, including experience with public speaking and presenting.
* Experience working across multiple time zones, managing competing priorities, and delivering within a global and fast-paced environment.
* Proficiency in CRM systems and the ability to extract insights from data to inform business development strategy.
* Experience mentoring and collaborating across teams, with a commitment to cross-functional teamwork and inclusive leadership.