Business Development Lead

About the job

Gehl is seeking candidates for a full-time Business Development Lead position in our New York office.

Your role will center on the development and execution of effective business development processes and priorities supported by brand building and lead generating communication. 

As Business Development Lead, you will report to the Copenhagen-based Director of Business Development and Communications, Jennifer Zitner, and form part of a diverse, highly skilled team of 6 professionals spread over our international offices. The role will primarily service the US offices  New York and San Francisco) by working with office leadership to secure new project opportunities that align with the office’s client segments including Philanthropy, Corporate, Public Sector and Real Estate Development. 

The ideal candidate has a passion for urban strategy and design, with a strong interest in the intersection of life quality and the build environment. You are meticulous and take initiative, with extensive project management abilities, strategic prowess, and have the ability to build relationships with internal Gehl employees, as well as external collaborators, stakeholders and journalists. You have a few years’ experience with Business Development and/or Marketing from an agency, a brand-driven company or design or architecture studio. 

The most important thing is that we are a good match, so we can put together a fun and impassioned team that enjoys coming to work together and sharing in Gehl’s mission. 

This role includes occasional travel including to our Copenhagen office (approximately two times per year) for team alignment, planning sessions, and/or company events. Additional travel may be required for client meetings, conferences, or individual project needs.

Primary responsibilities to include

• Find and assess opportunities in the US markets, with the ability to make articulate recommendations 

• Initiate, lead, & deliver special projects & proactive initiatives to help advance the opening of new markets (including both geographic regions & sectors) 

• Strategize & propose new business development initiatives, with necessary follow up to realize them 

• Drive market research & activation – identify new business opportunities and partnerships through proactive engagement

• Arrange meetings with existing & potential clients in the Gehl network & nurture these relationships 

• Maintain & forge new relationships with consultants 

• Manage the acquisition process from initial project vetting, to teaming, negotiation, production & final delivery with minimal oversight 

• Manage 4-5+ simultaneous pursuits with limited oversight & share key updates/status with the team in a timely manner 

• Prepare RFQs, RFPS, pitches for both domestic & international markets (while discussing key strategy points w/ Directors)

• Produce content independently (while discussing key strategy points w/ Directors) while coming up with ideas within the pitch/proposal that distinguish our submission/point of view 

• Support communications efforts through asset collection and collaboration on campaigns and events with the team

• Maintain a clear overview of a continuous flow of business related inquiries & assessment of potential projects 

• Lead meetings, office tours, & project tours with consultants & clients 

• Represent Gehl at networking events & conferences as a “face” of the firm 

• Maintain background tasks & identify new improvements for efficient organization 

• Provide mentorship, training & support to junior team members 

• Give active support to the Director of Business Development and Communications, Management, & Directors in our growth strategy
  

Qualifications & competencies sought

A proven track record with a minimum of 5-8 years in a similar role, specializing in strategic business development, preferably within Architecture, Landscape, Engineering, Real Estate, Construction, or Client Consultancy alternatively in a marketing/communications role

• Masters level degree in either Marketing, Business, Communication, Architecture, Landscape, and/or Urban Planning; 

• Excellent communication skills, fluent in both written and verbal English (fluency in additional language(s) is also a plus) 

• You have a proficiency in the Google Workspace & Adobe CS with an eye for graphic design & knack for storytelling

• You have experience with data management & a CRM Management software (Dynamics is a plus) 

• You are able to independently manage several simultaneous pursuits with little oversight 

• You have a natural interest in urban strategy/planning & business development & take pride in the work you do 

• You have an outgoing personality & positive attitude 

• You are able to stay focused in a busy & ad-hoc work environment with a keen attention to detail

• You work efficiently & have a proactive & have an enthusiastic approach to assignments 

• You work independently & are an excellent organizer of your tasks 

• Take initiative & bring ideas to the table

Compensation and Benefits 

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range for a Business Development Lead role at Gehl is $90,000 - $110,000. 

As a team member at Gehl, you will enjoy:  

• 4 weeks of vacation leave plus 15 days of paid sick leave yearly

• 11 paid company holidays

• Comprehensive medical, dental, life and vision coverage including optional Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts

• Generous maternity/paternity leave policy

• Company matching option towards 401k plan

• Yearly stipend for continuing education and career development