Business Development Lead - Commercial & Branded

Sawhorse Productions

92d • $100,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Sawhorse Productions is seeking a Business Development Lead to drive growth and expand partnerships across brands, studios, agencies, and entertainment properties. This role focuses on securing high-value opportunities across the commercial and branded content space — from traditional broadcast spots to digital and social campaigns, as well as marketing studio IP. You will build and execute sales strategies, identify new opportunities, and work closely with top-tier clients to deliver bold, forward-thinking content. Success in this role means having a strong understanding of commercial marketing, media trends, and the evolving content landscape, with a passion for building relationships and creating work that stands out.

Requirements

• Proven business development experience: 5+ years in business development, partnerships, or a sales-driven role, with a history of securing and expanding high-value client relationships.
• Brand partnership experience: Proven ability to identify, develop, and secure strategic partnerships with brands, studios, and partners.
• Proven success in exceeding growth targets: A track record of consistently achieving or surpassing revenue and sales goals.
• Relationship-building skills: Ability to establish and sustain long-term partnerships, leveraging strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to drive business growth.
• Sales strategy development: Experience crafting and refining sales materials, including pitch decks, proposals, and case studies, to effectively communicate Sawhorse’s value proposition.
• Industry representation: Comfortable attending and speaking at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to build relationships and increase brand visibility.
• Strong communication and negotiation abilities: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Data-driven approach: Proficiency in business intelligence tools (e.g., ZoomInfo), LinkedIn, and CRM platforms (e.g., Airtable, Asana) to identify, track, and manage high-potential prospects.
• Strategic and analytical mindset: Ability to translate market trends and data insights into actionable business strategies that drive measurable growth.
• Self-starter with a proactive mindset: Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment, identifying opportunities and taking initiative with minimal direction.
• Performance-driven approach: Ability to define, track, and optimize key business development KPIs to measure success and refine strategies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with account-based marketing: Knowledge of strategic marketing practices to enhance client acquisition and retention.
• Multi-lingual or international experience: Ability to work across different regions and cultures to expand Sawhorse’s global reach.
• Experience with Immersive and Interactive Content: Proven experience in business development or sales with interactive experiences, UGC platforms, VR/AR, AI, and experiential activations.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a robust sales pipeline: Leverage market insights to identify, target, and convert high-value prospects into long-term partnerships that drive revenue growth.
• Expand and strengthen client relationships: Uncover new opportunities, increase project scope, and introduce existing clients to the full range of Sawhorse’s capabilities.
• Develop and execute targeted outreach strategies: Implement strategic outreach initiatives to engage brands, studios, agencies and partners looking for innovative marketing solutions.
• Bidding & pitch workflow: Help lead and streamline business development conversations within the high-volume pitch and bidding process.
• Establish and nurture industry relationships: Engage with key decision-makers at brands, entertainment studios and partners to drive long-term collaborations.
• Collaborate on tailored client solutions: Work cross-functionally with creative and production teams to develop compelling sales decks and customized proposals that align with client objectives.
• Leverage data-driven prospecting: Implement analytical strategies to refine outreach efforts, improve conversion rates, and maximize sales effectiveness.
• Increase Sawhorse’s industry presence: Represent the company at conferences, networking events, and industry gatherings to establish new connections and showcase our expertise.
• Track performance and optimize strategies: Monitor sales metrics, client interactions, and pipeline progress to refine approaches and ensure continued growth.
• Stay ahead of industry trends: Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies in marketing, media, and generative AI to uncover new opportunities and keep Sawhorse at the cutting edge and on the forefront of trends.
• Conduct competitor research: Analyze industry trends and competitor offerings to refine Sawhorse’s positioning and uncover market gaps.
• Enhance sales processes and CRM strategy: Improve lead qualification, CRM tracking, and overall sales workflows to increase efficiency and deal velocity.

Benefits

• $100,000 - $140,000 plus commission
• Full Remote Opportunity
• Medical, Vision, and Dental
• PTO
• 401(k)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees