Business Development Manager

Konnect Agency•Los Angeles, CA

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

Konnect Agency is seeking a Business Development Manager to help grow an independent PR and integrated communications agency serving brands across food and beverage, consumer products, franchise, and services. The role works closely with agency leadership to build relationships, increase the agency’s visibility, manage new business opportunities, and strengthen the systems that support growth. It offers meaningful responsibility from the start, input into how the agency grows, and the opportunity to develop into a broader leadership role. The manager will identify relevant conferences, trade shows, organizations, and communities; represent Konnect at events; develop relationships and follow up on introductions; and create opportunities for agency leaders to participate in industry conversations. The role also researches and prioritizes prospective clients, manages inquiries and RFPs, coordinates pitch contributors, leads proposal and presentation materials, and keeps leadership informed about the pipeline. The position maintains the agency’s case studies, credentials, biographies, and presentations, working with teams to develop accurate, compelling materials tailored to each opportunity. It also establishes practical systems for tracking contacts, outreach, opportunities, deadlines, and follow-up, maintaining CRM accuracy and improving processes. The role is a hybrid in-office position requiring three days per week at one of Konnect’s hubs in Los Angeles or Chicago. Occasional travel and attendance at industry events are expected. Konnect is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment.

Requirements

4–5 years of relevant experience in business development, partnerships, communications, account management, or agency operations.
Experience managing RFPs, pitches, or new business opportunities from initial brief through final submission.
A track record of building relationships and moving opportunities or projects forward.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including careful listening, noticing nuance, asking thoughtful questions, and adapting communication.
Confidence representing an agency in meetings, at industry events, and with senior decision-makers.
Strong writing skills, including introductory emails, proposals, pitch decks, and case studies.
Excellent organization and judgment, with the ability to manage details, competing deadlines, and changing priorities.
Understanding of how agency services connect to business needs and curiosity to continue learning.
Comfort using CRM platforms, project management tools, presentation software, and AI tools thoughtfully and accurately.
Availability for occasional travel and industry events.
Ability to work in a hybrid role in one of Konnect’s Los Angeles or Chicago hubs three days per week.

Nice To Haves

Experience within a PR, social, advertising, or integrated agency.
Previous agency experience in a commensurate role.

Responsibilities

Identify conferences, trade shows, industry organizations, and communities where Konnect should participate, and recommend ways the agency can contribute.
Represent the agency at events and build relationships with prospective clients, referral partners, and industry contacts.
Plan outreach before events, capture key information, and follow up thoughtfully with new contacts.
Develop opportunities for agency leaders to participate in panels, speaking engagements, partnerships, and industry conversations.
Research prospective clients and prioritize opportunities based on needs, budgets, timing, and fit with Konnect’s expertise.
Manage incoming inquiries, RFPs, and new business opportunities.
Own RFP and pitch processes from initial opportunity through final submission, including timelines, assignments, and contributor coordination.
Coordinate account, creative, social, strategy, and leadership teams around briefs, deliverables, deadlines, and approvals.
Lead proposal content, capabilities presentations, pitch decks, and supporting materials, partnering with senior leaders on strategy, scope, and pricing.
Build targeted prospect lists and develop personalized outreach.
Keep leadership informed about active opportunities, next steps, and where their involvement may help.
Manage and maintain the case study library, credentials, team biographies, and presentation materials.
Partner with account teams to identify strong work, gather results, and develop case study narratives.
Select and tailor materials for each RFP, pitch, or new business opportunity.
Work with account, creative, social, and leadership teams to ensure materials accurately reflect the agency’s capabilities, strategic thinking, and results.
Build practical systems for tracking contacts, opportunities, RFPs, outreach, deadlines, and follow-up.
Maintain accurate CRM records and clear visibility into the new business pipeline.
Establish repeatable processes, recommend improvements to leadership, identify gaps, and help work move forward.