Business Development Specialist

Ivey Business School; London; On-site; CAD 57,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Ivey Business School as a Business Development Specialist. This full-time position focuses on expanding market reach within higher education by executing strategic sales initiatives and collaborating with academic leaders. The role requires strong consultative selling skills and a minimum of 3-4 years of experience in business development or sales.

Benefits

Flexible or hybrid work plans

Collaborative and engaging work culture

Market competitive compensation with annual increases available

Generous benefits package

Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days

Supports for professional development and career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-4 years of professional experience in business development, sales, or higher education publishing.
• Proven track record of success in consultative sales.
• Experience in higher education, academic publishing, or EdTech is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales initiatives within higher education.
• Own the full sales cycle from prospecting to closing deals.
• Analyze market trends and develop strategic sales plans.

Skills

Consultative selling

Relationship-building

Communication

Negotiation

Project management

Market analysis

Sales strategy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Education, or a related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)

Microsoft Office Suite

Digital collaboration tools

Job description

Position : Business Development Specialist

Position Type : Full-time, 3-year Ivey Business School Foundation renewable contract.

Hiring Range : $57,594 - $72,018.

About Ivey Business School :

Ivey Business School acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, where Western University and Ivey Business School are located. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous peoples, whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of the community.

Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University (www.uwo.ca) is Canada’s leading provider of real-world, case-based business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey’s faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they need to confidently take on today’s leadership challenges and opportunities through Case-Method Learning. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.

Ivey Publishing is the leader in providing business case studies with a global perspective. With over 9,000 products in our own collection, Ivey Publishing adds more than 350 case studies each year. Virtually all Ivey cases have teaching notes. Clear, concise, and current, Ivey cases are lauded by the academic community as meeting the rigorous demands of management education by responding to the ever-changing needs of business and society. Ivey Publishing plays a pivotal role in supporting Ivey’s Case Method Teaching.

Position Overview :

As the Business Development Specialist at Ivey Publishing, you will be at the forefront of our Business Development division, contributing to our mission of expanding our reach within higher education. In this pivotal role, you will develop and execute strategic sales initiatives to strengthen our market position. You will collaborate closely with the Associate Director, Business Development and cross-functional teams to engage with academic leaders, drive product adoption, and enhance the educational experience through Ivey’s learning materials solutions. The role requires a results-oriented, consultative sales professional who thrives in building relationships, driving revenue growth, and making a significant impact on Ivey Publishing’s global presence.

1. Market Development & Strategic Planning

• Identify and prioritize opportunities within the higher education sector, conducting thorough research on key institutions, faculty, decision-makers, and market trends.
• Develop and implement strategic sales plans tailored to regional market needs.
• Analyze competitive positioning and identify new market entry points to enhance Ivey’s influence.

2. Sales & Business Development

• Own the full sales cycle from prospecting new business from University and Colleges stakeholders, to closing deals with a strong focus on consultative selling.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty members, academic leaders, and institutional partners to drive the adoption of Ivey’s Learning Materials.
• Conduct sales presentations, online demonstrations, and webinars to showcase the value of Ivey’s product portfolio.
• Participate in academic conferences and industry events to promote Ivey Publishing and expand brand awareness.
• Lead regional and open-enrollment workshops, implement usage-focused webinars, and collaborate with marketing to generate and convert new leads. Oversee the workshop strategy to drive sales.
• Provide tailored onboarding and support.
• Develop and execute key account management strategies to maximize product usage and increase customer retention.
• Engage with educators through digital platforms, email campaigns, campus visits, and targeted outreach to ensure strong customer engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with educators by understanding their needs and recommending Ivey Publishing products.
• Address customer inquiries, providing tailored recommendations and solutions to enhance classroom experiences.
• Work closely with marketing, product development, and customer support teams to align strategies and optimize service delivery.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of Ivey’s product offerings, industry trends, and technological advancements to effectively position solutions in the market.

4. Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Work closely with marketing, product development, and customer support teams to align strategies and optimize service delivery.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of Ivey’s product offerings, industry trends, and technological advancements to effectively position solutions in the market.

Qualifications :

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Education, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-4 years of professional experience in business development, sales, or higher education publishing.
• Proven track record of success in consultative sales, strategic relationship management, and revenue growth.
• Experience working in higher education, academic publishing, or EdTech is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with case-based learning, digital learning tools, and academic content solutions.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong consultative selling and relationship-building skills.
• Competitive desire to exceed goals and grow results within a defined territory.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategic sales plans.
• Strong ability to initiate, establish, nurture meaningful business relationships with commitment to providing exceptional service.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), Microsoft Office Suite, and digital collaboration tools.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed for client meetings, conferences, and market development activities.

What We Offer :

• Flexible or hybrid work plans for many roles
• A collaborative and engaging work culture
• Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
• Market competitive compensation with annual increases available
• Generous benefits package with employer-paid premiums, including a comprehensive Health and Dental Plan, Health Care Spending Account, short- and long-term disability programs, no waiting period required.
• Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources.
• Life and AD&D insurance for you and your family.
• Out-of-country travel insurance.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Pregnancy and Parental top-up leave program.
• A generous group retirement savings plan with 7.5% employer contributions.
• Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days.
• Paid time off during the School’s December holiday closure.
• Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events.
• Supports for professional development and career progression opportunities.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Ivey

Ivey Business School is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please explore Ivey’s EDI homepage for more information on Ivey's commitment to EDI, to read about Ivey’s progress in the EDI Update, and to meet Ivey’s EDI Advisory Council members.

Ivey Business School invites applications from all qualified individuals. Ivey is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups / visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodation

Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Please contact us [emailprotected] to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application, and / or throughout the recruitment process.

Application :

If you're excited about joining Canada's leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.

Ivey Business School Foundation :

Ivey Business School Foundation employees receive benefits exclusive to The Foundation, separate from Western University.

• Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.