Business Development Advisor

Smith & Howard•Columbia, SC

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

Smith + Howard is seeking an accomplished Business Development Advisor to accelerate growth and expand its presence across the South and North Carolina markets. This is a highly visible, revenue-generating role focused on developing strategic relationships, creating new business opportunities, and connecting prospective clients with the broad capabilities of the Smith + Howard family of companies. This is not a transactional or high-volume sales role. Success comes through market presence, executive-level relationships, strategic networking, disciplined pipeline development, and the ability to turn trusted relationships into long-term client engagements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
5+ years of successful business development, sales, client development, or revenue-generation experience.
Demonstrated success building a qualified pipeline and converting relationships into measurable revenue.
Established professional network and credibility with business owners, executives, financial leaders, referral sources, and other decision-makers within the Carolinas.
Strong executive presence, business acumen, communication skills, and a consultative approach to business development.
Ability to manage multiple relationships and opportunities while maintaining consistent follow-through and accountability.
Entrepreneurial, self-directed mindset with a strong focus on results.

Nice To Haves

Experience in public accounting, consulting, financial services, professional services, or another relationship-driven business environment strongly preferred.
Experience developing business for audit, tax, accounting, advisory, consulting, or other complex professional services is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Generate new business opportunities and revenue by identifying, developing, and advancing prospective client relationships.
Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified opportunities aligned with firm growth objectives.
Develop trusted relationships with business owners, C-suite executives, financial leaders, referral partners, and other key decision-makers.
Leverage professional networks, market intelligence, and strategic introductions to create new opportunities.
Advance opportunities through the business development lifecycle, from initial relationship development through proposal, negotiation, and engagement.
Partner with firm leadership on pursuit strategies that improve conversion and support growth across assurance, tax, advisory, wealth management, and other firm capabilities.
Represent Smith + Howard at industry events, conferences, associations, networking activities, and within the broader business community.
Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships by introducing additional firm capabilities.
Maintain disciplined pipeline and opportunity management through the firm's CRM platform, providing visibility into activity, progress, and results.
Collaborate with Marketing and firm leadership on targeted initiatives that strengthen market presence and generate opportunities.