Vice President of Business Development

Job Summary

The Vice President of Business Development is a strategic senior leadership role responsible for architecting and executing B2B growth initiatives through partnerships, alliances, and market expansion. This leader focuses on creating new revenue streams by identifying untapped market opportunities, forging strategic relationships, and developing innovative channels to market. Unlike traditional sales leadership roles, this position emphasizes opportunity creation over opportunity closure—translating company capabilities into valuable partnership propositions and establishing frameworks for sustainable, collaborative growth within complex B2B ecosystems.

Vice President of Business Development Responsibilities:

Strategic Growth and Partnership Development

Identify and capitalize on untapped market opportunities through strategic partnerships, alliances, and ecosystem strategies.
Create and execute sophisticated methodologies for partner qualification, ecosystem mapping, and partnership lifecycle management.
Develop mutually beneficial channel programs and collaborative go-to-market strategies that extend beyond traditional direct sales channels.
Serve as the company's ambassador to potential partners, articulating value propositions within broader industry ecosystems.

Deal Structuring and Negotiation

Construct complex partnership agreements that align incentives and protect strategic interests across organizational boundaries.
Develop and implement revenue-sharing models, co-marketing arrangements, referral programs, technology integrations, and distribution agreements.
Navigate sophisticated co-selling and co-marketing initiatives that deliver measurable value.
Create innovative solutions to complex partnership challenges while building consensus across diverse stakeholders.

Market Intelligence and Opportunity Identification

Analyze industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging business models to identify strategic opportunities.
Conduct ecosystem mapping and competitive analysis to position the organization for future market evolution.
Translate market insights into actionable partnership strategies that create sustainable competitive advantage.
Stay informed about interconnected B2B ecosystem dynamics and partnership best practices.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration

Lead and align internal stakeholders across product, marketing, legal, and operations teams around partnership strategies.
Secure internal support and resources for external collaboration initiatives.
Navigate organizational complexities to ensure successful partnership execution and implementation.
Foster collaborative culture between internal teams and external partners.

Relationship Orchestration and Management

Build and maintain executive-level relationships across organizational boundaries with patience and strategic persistence.
Cultivate long-term strategic partnerships rather than pursuing short-term transactional wins.
Evaluate and navigate cultural fit between potential partners and the organization.
Manage relationship dynamics that support mutual growth and sustained collaboration.

Performance Measurement and Optimization

Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess partnership success and revenue impact.
Demonstrate sophisticated understanding of how partnership models impact revenue, profitability, and customer acquisition costs.
Implement clear approaches to partnership valuation, ROI measurement, and performance accountability.
Make data-driven decisions regarding partnership prioritization, investment, and optimization.

Strategic Planning and Communication

Develop and communicate strategic partnership roadmaps aligned with overall business objectives.
Engage with executive leadership, business leaders, customers, and partners to ensure alignment on growth strategies.
Advocate for business development initiatives within the organization, influencing decision-making and securing necessary resources.
Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and partner meetings.

Requirements of a Vice President of Business Development:

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related discipline. MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
Minimum 10+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or strategic alliances, including senior leadership roles.
Proven track record of creating strategic growth through partnerships relevant to B2B business models.
Demonstrated success in building mutually beneficial alliances, channel programs, or ecosystem strategies.
Strong strategic thinking and business acumen with ability to identify non-obvious growth opportunities.
Exceptional relationship-building and executive engagement skills with evidence of nurturing long-term strategic partnerships.
Expertise in deal structuring, contract negotiation, and complex agreement development.
Strong financial acumen with understanding of partnership economics and ROI measurement.
Excellent cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management capabilities.
Experience navigating organizational complexities and aligning diverse internal stakeholders.
Deep understanding of B2B market dynamics, partnership models, and ecosystem strategies.
Industry expertise and existing relationships within relevant markets (preferred).
Outstanding communication, negotiation, and consensus-building abilities.

Note

This job description is intended to convey essential job functions and responsibilities. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the position's qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, or responsibilities.