Business Development Manager - Retained Executive Search

Acara Solutions India, An Aleron Company; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions India, An Aleron Company is seeking a Business Development professional to grow its retained executive search practice in India. You will build credibility with senior stakeholders and convert opportunities into exclusive search mandates.

The role emphasizes consultative selling, relationship building with founders, CXOs and GCC leaders, and representing leadership hiring as strategic advisory across Bangalore and India.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of experience in business development / sales.
• Experience in retained executive search or leadership hiring.
• Experience selling high-value, consultative services is critical.
• Comfortable engaging with senior decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities for retained executive search engagements.
• Engage with CXOs, Founders, CHROs, Heads of HR, GCC Leaders and Board members.
• Position retained search as a strategic advisory solution and close engagements.
• Build long-term client relationships and support cross-selling of leadership services.

Skills

Business development

Sales

CXO conversations

Strategic advisory

Job description

Industry: Executive Search / Leadership Hiring / Professional Services

About the Role

We are looking for a Business Development professional to help grow our retained executive search practice in India. The role involves building relationships with senior stakeholders (Founders, CXOs, CHROs, GCC Heads), identifying leadership hiring needs and converting opportunities into exclusive retained search mandates. This is a consultative sales role, not transactional staffing sales. Success in this role depends on credibility, business understandin and the ability to represent senior leadership roles confidently in the market.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Client Acquisition

• Identify and develop new business opportunities for retained executive search engagements
• Engage with CXOs, Founders, CHROs, Heads of HR, GCC Leaders and Board members
• Initiate conversations around leadership gaps, succession, confidential hiring and growth mandates
• Convert warm leads, referrals and outbound conversations into retained or exclusive search assignments

Consultative Selling

• Understand client organisations, business models, growth plans and leadership challenges
• Position retained executive search as a strategic advisory solution, not a recruitment transaction
• Present search methodology, timelines, governance and fee structures confidently
• Work closely with recruiters to scope mandates and close engagements

Account Management & Relationship Building

• Build long-term relationships with existing clients to generate repeat and referral business
• Act as a trusted point of contact during early engagement and onboarding
• Support cross-selling of leadership services where applicable
• Track leadership movements, industry trends, funding activity and GCC expansion
• Build a strong professional network across HR, founders, investors and business leaders in Bangalore and India
• Represent the firm at industry events, HR forums and leadership networking platforms

Desired Candidate Profile

Experience & Background

• 3–7 years of experience in business development / sales in:
• Retained executive search, or
• Executive recruitment / leadership hiring, or
• Experience selling high‑value, consultative services is critical
• Exposure to CXO / senior stakeholder conversations preferred
• Strong business acumen and ability to understand leadership requirements
• Comfortable engaging with senior decision-makers
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills
• Ability to sell retained and exclusive search models (not contingent staffing)
• High levels of maturity, discretion and professionalism
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ownership orientation

What This Role Is NOT

To be clear, this role is not:

• Resume‑pushing or transaction‑driven recruitment
• KPI‑only, cold‑calling focused telesales

Success Metrics

• Number and value of retained search mandates closed
• Quality and longevity of client relationships
• Repeat business and referrals
• Contribution to firm’s leadership hiring pipeline

Ideal For Candidates Who:

• Enjoy engaging with senior leadership and founders
• Prefer quality conversations over high‑volume selling
• Aspire to grow into a Client Partner / Practice Lead role over time