VP of Business Development & Retention Higher Education Dining Services

As the VP of Business Development & Retention, you will create a strategic plan to identify and qualify new business opportunities, implement sales strategies and techniques to win business, and maintain existing client relationships to ensure retention. Primarily targeting the mid-Atlantic and Southern markets, your role will involve maintaining relationships with current accounts to retain business, as well as establishing connections to acquire and keep new clients. This is an individual contributor position with no direct reports. Substantial sales and/or dining operational experience is essential to be considered for this position.

Responsibilities

Create and implement sales strategies and business development processes for Higher Education Dining Services in the mid-Atlantic and Southern US; Hunt for new opportunities by directly prospecting companies, building client relationships, and engaging in industry associations to cultivate new business; Research and analyze new business opportunities using market trends, data, and clients; Own the full sales cycle process by identifying win strategies for each opportunity, clearly articulating the value of the partnership to internal and external stakeholders through client meetings, proposals, presentations, and contracts; Collaborate with the executive team, operations, and marketing to determine a customized approach to each opportunity; Thoughtfully prepare and deliver effective client presentations; Lead contract negotiation and execution

Requirements

Substantial sales and/or dining operational experience is essential; Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Business Administration, Hospitality, or related field; 10 years direct sales or operational management experience in the Business Dining segment; Concise and effective communication skills, both verbal and written; Strong presentation, financial acumen, and organizational skills; Experience and understanding of the RFP process in the private and government sectors; Proficiency using SalesForce and Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams; Ability to think strategically and operate autonomously

Benefits

Weekly pay schedule; Flexible hours for a balanced work life; Vacation; 401K with company match; Referral Bonus Program for bringing new hires to the team; Employee Assistance Program; Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for eligible employees