Business development manager - retained executive search

Location: Bangalore

Experience: 3–7 years

Industry: Executive Search / Leadership Hiring / Professional Services

About the Role

We are looking for a Business Development professional to help grow our retained executive search practice in India. The role involves building relationships with senior stakeholders (Founders, CXOs, CHROs, GCC Heads), identifying leadership hiring needs and converting opportunities into exclusive retained search mandates. This is a consultative sales role, not transactional staffing sales. Success in this role depends on credibility, business understandin and the ability to represent senior leadership roles confidently in the market.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Client Acquisition

Identify and develop new business opportunities for retained executive search engagements Engage with CXOs, Founders, CHROs, Heads of HR, GCC Leaders and Board members Initiate conversations around leadership gaps, succession, confidential hiring and growth mandates Convert warm leads, referrals and outbound conversations into retained or exclusive search assignments

Consultative Selling

Understand client organisations, business models, growth plans and leadership challenges Position retained executive search as a strategic advisory solution, not a recruitment transaction Present search methodology, timelines, governance and fee structures confidently Work closely with recruiters to scope mandates and close engagements

Account Management & Relationship Building

Build long-term relationships with existing clients to generate repeat and referral business Act as a trusted point of contact during early engagement and onboarding Support cross-selling of leadership services where applicable

Market Intelligence & Networking

Track leadership movements, industry trends, funding activity and GCC expansion Build a strong professional network across HR, founders, investors and business leaders in Bangalore and India Represent the firm at industry events, HR forums and leadership networking platforms

Desired Candidate Profile

Experience & Background

3–7 years of experience in business development / sales in: Retained executive search, or Executive recruitment / leadership hiring, or Professional services / consulting / HR advisory Experience selling high‐value, consultative services is critical Exposure to CXO / senior stakeholder conversations preferred

Skills & Competencies

Strong business acumen and ability to understand leadership requirements Comfortable engaging with senior decision-makers Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills Ability to sell retained and exclusive search models (not contingent staffing) High levels of maturity, discretion and professionalism Entrepreneurial mindset with ownership orientation

What This Role Is NOT

To be clear, this role is not:

Volume staffing sales Resume‐pushing or transaction‐driven recruitment KPI‐only, cold‐calling focused telesales

It is a relationship‐driven, trust‐based, long‐cycle sales role.

Success Metrics

Number and value of retained search mandates closed Quality and longevity of client relationships Repeat business and referrals Contribution to firm's leadership hiring pipeline

Ideal For Candidates Who:

Enjoy engaging with senior leadership and founders Prefer quality conversations over high‐volume selling Aspire to grow into a Client Partner / Practice Lead role over time