Head of Business Development

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Full Story.

As Columbus’ top independent PR firm, Geben Communication has ambitious growth goals. To help us build strong, smart relationships across our community and the client markets we serve, we’re seeking a Head of Business Development. In the short term, this person will make an immediate impact by identifying and attracting prospects that fit our ideal client targets. Long-term, this person will establish a top-notch revenue generation department within Geben, leading a team that drives pre-sales prospect identification, nurtures qualified leads, signs partnerships with new clients, and sets the stage for long-term partnerships by seamlessly transitioning the relationship from business development to client services.

Geben works with a range of B2B and B2C clients, from startups and emerging brands to Fortune 200 companies … and everything in between. We have a special affinity for mission-driven nonprofits and foundations, as well as for-profit brands that share our commitment to Do Well By Doing Good. We accelerate clients’ growth through smarter communication, specializing in public relations, social media, digital marketing, and data analytics/insights. With half of our clients based in Ohio, this role will primarily focus on proactively growing Geben here; however, we often receive inbound inquiries from organizations outside Ohio that this role will help respond to.

Key Responsibilities

• The key function of this role is to continue to build on Geben’s growth by increasing revenue through high-quality lead generation and closing opportunities. We rarely participate in RFPs; instead, we prefer relationship-building as the foundation for strong partnerships. This role will succeed by deploying a variety of approaches to proactively build and maintain a steady pipeline of opportunities, while also nurturing relationships with partners and referral sources.

  • Create and implement a business development strategy that aligns with Geben’s growth goals and ideal client and engagement profile

  • Proactively identify and build relationships with potential new clients through networking, prospecting, and other forms of outreach

  • Write proposals, including value propositions, scopes of work, and proposed budgets

  • Maintain and leverage the CRM to further Geben’s growth

  • Track, analyze, and report on a range of data points, including pipeline value and health, forecasted revenue, business development trends, and other key metrics

  • Identify and attend events across target client markets to build Geben brand awareness and relationships with potential clients

  • Lead RFP/RFI process; evaluate and determine which are worth the investment of time and resources; write the submission and prepare the “pitch team” to increase our chances of success (note RFP/RFIs are a very small part of our new business strategy)

  • Determine if/when to leverage Geben’s CEO or other leadership to further the relationship with a prospect

  • Close new business opportunities, including coordinating logistics and details for contracts and seamlessly transitioning new clients to the client services team to ensure a successful start with Geben

  • Lead standing internal business development meetings

  • Align with the VP of Client Services to match the pipeline and potential new business with staffing needs

  • As Geben continues to grow, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a high-performing business development, sales and marketing team to support growth and new initiatives. In the meantime, you’ll have light marketing responsibilities to drive engagement and leads, such as partnering with our lead gen firm to brainstorm campaigns, suggesting social media or email marketing ideas and monitoring campaign performance

Qualifications

• Established track record leading business development efforts 

• Familiarity with the communication/PR/marketing/creative agency space

• Excel in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

• Strong networker with a penchant for building meaningful, long-term relationships 

• Ambitious, motivated, self-starter who also values collaboration and teamwork

• Highly organized and detail-oriented

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Understanding of content marketing as a sales tool

• Proficiency with data management and forecasting

• Proven ability to build and lead business development teams

Why Geben?

• Driven by purpose. We actively ‘Give More. Grow More.’ A core part of our mission is providing opportunities for our team members to make a difference.

• Spark change. We create social impact by partnering and connecting in our local communities across the country.

• Curious to our core. We approach every challenge with an eye for insights that will accelerate growth and impact. We are flexible, mindful, generous, and dynamic leaders.

• Do well by doing good. We believe that by giving back – through volunteering time, providing pro bono services, or making financial contributions – we’ll be rewarded in multiple ways.

• Time can be given to organizations that align with Geben’s values:

•  Women-, children- and family-focused orgs 

• Neighborhood/community development

• Organizations that advocate for social change and more equitable communities

• Programs that promote the health/education/safety of youth

• Programs to support under-represented entrepreneurs and/or communities 

• Benefits

• Financial: 401k participation on day one, company-wide rewards and bonuses

• Salary: Competitive, aligned with experience and track record. This role combines salary and commission incentives 

• Insurance: medical, dental, and vision with generous company contributions; company-sponsored short-term disability and life insurance

• Generous time off/leave: paid family leave, unlimited PTO, flexible hours/work away options

• Work/life balance: self-care perks, home office set-up perks

• Career-growth: annual professional development budget, in-house leadership development, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

* Data shows that women sometimes pass on job opportunities because they don’t feel like they meet all the qualifications listed. Keep in mind, that these descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. If you believe you have the skills and drive to help Geben grow, we want to hear from you! “Inclusivity is a verb” is one of our House Rules because we value diverse perspectives and experiences.