Director, New Business Development - Military veterans preferred

$130,000 - $145,000

Location: VA, DC, MD, PA, MA, NC, GA, FL, NM, IL, SD, OR, WA, WV, MN, OK, AL

How This Position Contributes to the Team

The Director of New Business Development is responsible for developing new business across the entire portfolio of the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) commercial products. The position is focused on developing new partners and opportunities for WEF as part of its new business model to develop multi-year, mission-driven engagements across all of its events, media, sponsorships, and offerings, including to companies outside of the current WEF customer base. In this position, growth, prospecting, and new customer recruitment and development is central. Experience in New Business Development not limited to traditional revenue items like events or media but may also include experience with corporate philanthropy, non-traditional revenue vehicles and corporate partnerships. A major focus of this position is to also develop non-endemic relationships for WEF and grow customer relationships outside of the water sector. The Director of New Business Development will report to the Managing Director, Corporate Sales & Industry Relations, but will partner with appropriate internal and external stakeholders to achieve WEF’s mission and goals.

NOTE: This position is open to either 100% remote work (from WEF registered states) or hybrid work (80% remote, 20% in-office) and requires travel (approximately 25% of the year), primarily across the United States, to participate in key events and relevant meetings; international travel may be required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Directs, develops, and implements a comprehensive multi-year business development strategy for growth across the entire commercial portfolio that is aligned to WEFs mission, in collaboration with Sales and & Customers Success Team.
• Develops competitor and market analysis to incorporate into the new business development sales strategy.
• Lead, identify and pursue revenue from variety of sources, including, foundations, institutions and corporate partners.
• Lead proposal development, including writing, budgeting, and coordinating with appropriate stakeholders.
• Shares market research with aligned internal WEF departments for collaborative discussion and implementation.
• Develops and builds non endemic relationships with donors, partners and stakeholders inside/outside the water sector.
• Works closely with the Managing Director to create a pipeline for new opportunities and establish new commercial prospects.
• Grows and develops new initiatives and projects that address water sector needs and opportunities aligned to WEFs mission.
• Represent WEF at conferences, partner meetings, and networking events.
• Collaborates with Marketing and relevant stakeholders in the development and implementation of sales promotions, campaigns, deliverables, and other marketing activities.
• Experienced with Corporate Philanthropy, Foundations and nontraditional revenue streams important for this role.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, business administration, or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of experience in corporate business development,
• Capable of managing multiple business development projects and partnerships.
• Proven ability to drive new revenue across a portfolio of customers.
• High attention to detail and reporting.
• Ability to multi-task within existing systems and platforms.
• Advanced time management skills.
• Ability to interact with customers on the telephone, email, and other media in a productive and professional manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively.
• Mission-focused, with openness to the best customer service, and a strong work ethic.
• Proven active listener and delivering top level customer service.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the year.

This person will work primarily in an office environment using standard office equipment. 

WEF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Us

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of more than 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations (MAs) representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. WEF and its global network of members and member associations provide water quality professionals around the world with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF’s diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers, plant operators, and other professionals. WEF uses this collective knowledge to further a shared goal of improving water quality around the world.

WEF is operating under a new Strategic Plan built on the vision of a life free of water challenges. Our ultimate goal is a world where each person has access to clean water and sanitation, where communities prosper, and where nature thrives. The key strategic goals under the new Strategic Plan are: 1) to attract and develop a diverse and passionate workforce; 2) to cultivate a purpose-driven community to sustainably solve water challenges for all; and 3) to lead the transformation to the circular water economy.

The new Strategic Plan embodies WEF’s embrace of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. WEF is committed to equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work, including within the governance structure and leadership, WEF partners, WEF staff, and the WEF membership. This commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will guide our work and our programs, culminating in outcomes that improve public health for all.