Business Development Lead

State Government of Victoria, Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) is seeking a Business Development Lead to grow corporate partnerships across Melbourne and Cranbourne sites. You will identify opportunities, build a robust prospect pipeline and develop strategic proposals that create value for RBGV and its corporate partners.

Your role entails delivering a strategic partnership pipeline, exploring sponsorship, impact investment and shared value opportunities, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to craft compelling

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing and securing complex commercial partnerships, sponsorships or strategic B2B relationships, with a demonstrated track record of achieving revenue targets.
• Strong business development and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with corporate and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to develop and deliver compelling pitches and partnership proposals.
• A creative and innovative approach to developing new concepts, stories and opportunities that respond to partner needs and organisational priorities.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to assess opportunities, navigate complexity and develop practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering a strategic corporate partnership pipeline aligned to revenue and engagement targets.
• Identifying and progressing new commercial opportunities, including asset activation, sponsorship, Social Impact Investment and Shared Value opportunities.
• Working with internal stakeholders to develop compelling projects, programs and propositions that respond to corporate partner needs.
• Developing high-quality proposals, pitch materials and cases for support that effectively communicate the value and impact of partnership opportunities.
• Building and stewarding strong corporate relationships to secure, grow and renew partnerships.
• Providing strategic advice to senior leaders on corporate partnerships, market trends, commercial opportunities and emerging funding models.
• Leading partnership negotiations and supporting senior executives, Board members and subject matter experts in corporate engagement activities.
• Monitoring corporate responsibility priorities, market trends and partnership activity to identify emerging opportunities and inform strategy.
• Contributing to effective planning, budgeting, reporting and risk management across partnership activities.

Skills

Business development

Relationship management

Pitch & proposals

Strategic partnerships

Job description

Occupation: Sales and business development

Reference: VG/421930AB

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) is one of Victoria’s most recognised and respected public institutions, contributing to world-class scientific research, conservation and education while creating meaningful experiences for visitors. Across our Melbourne and Cranbourne sites, we connect people with plants and the natural world, supporting environmental sustainability, community wellbeing and cultural engagement. For further information please visit https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/
RBGV is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our organisation is a proudly child safe organisation and committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All applicants will be required to complete the necessary pre-employment checks prior to appointment.

What You'll Do

As Business Development Lead, you will grow RBGV's corporate partnerships by identifying new opportunities, building a strong prospect pipeline and developing strategic proposals and engagement strategies that create value for RBGV and its corporate partners.

Your key accountabilities include:

• Developing and delivering a strategic corporate partnership pipeline aligned to revenue and engagement targets
• Identifying and progressing new commercial opportunities, including asset activation, sponsorship, Social Impact Investment and Shared Value opportunities
• Working with internal stakeholders to develop compelling projects, programs and propositions that respond to corporate partner needs
• Developing high-quality proposals, pitch materials and cases for support that effectively communicate the value and impact of partnership opportunities
• Building and stewarding strong corporate relationships to secure, grow and renew partnerships
• Providing strategic advice to senior leaders on corporate partnerships, market trends, commercial opportunities and emerging funding models
• Leading partnership negotiations and supporting senior executives, Board members and subject matter experts in corporate engagement activities
• Monitoring corporate responsibility priorities, market trends and partnership activity to identify emerging opportunities and inform strategy
• Contributing to effective planning, budgeting, reporting and risk management across partnership activities

What You'll Bring

You are a commercially minded business development professional who can combine strategic thinking with creative opportunity development and strong relationship management. You know how to identify and cultivate prospects, build compelling partnership propositions and navigate complex stakeholder environments to deliver meaningful commercial outcomes.

You will demonstrate:

• Proven experience developing and securing complex commercial partnerships, sponsorships or strategic B2B relationships, with a demonstrated track record of achieving revenue targets
• Strong business development and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with corporate and senior stakeholders
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to develop and deliver compelling pitches and partnership proposals
• A creative and innovative approach to developing new concepts, stories and opportunities that respond to partner needs and organisational priorities
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to assess opportunities, navigate complexity and develop practical solutions
• Experience negotiating and managing commercial contracts, agreements and partnership arrangements
• Knowledge of the Australian corporate philanthropy landscape, including Corporate Social Responsibility, Shared Value and Impact Investment
• Experience in needs-based segmentation and product or proposition development within a corporate partnership or B2B environment

All other key selection criteria can be found in the position description which is located under the attachments heading on the Victorian Government Careers website

Applications close Sunday 18 October 2026 at 11.59pm