Director of Growth—Higher Education Partnerships

Lancer Hospitality; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

UNUM coverage (Accident, Critical Ill,

Employee Discount Program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

401(k)

Paid Sick Time

9 Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Elior Collegiate Dining is seeking a Director of Business Development to drive new university partnerships in the Midwest. This field-based role requires building a pipeline from scratch, engaging senior decision-makers, and navigating long consultative cycles across higher education clients.

The successful candidate will travel 60–75% to meet prospects, attend industry events, and pursue opportunities, reporting to the Senior Vice President, Growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of successful new business development experience in a hunter sales role.
• Proven ability to cold call, network, research prospects, and independently create new business opportunities.
• Experience managing complex, consultative sales cycles from initial outreach through close.
• Experience selling contract services or other complex B2B service solutions.
• Experience with RFPs, proposals, presentations, and competitive bid processes.
• Ability to travel approximately 60–75%, including multiple overnight trips.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic sales plan focused on generating and winning new Higher Education business.
• Build and maintain your own pipeline through proactive prospecting, cold outreach, networking, industry research, referrals, and relationship development.
• Identify prospective clients and develop relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.
• Own opportunities throughout the full sales cycle, from initial prospecting and qualification through proposal, presentation, negotiation, and close.
• Navigate long, consultative sales cycles and maintain momentum with prospects over time.
• Lead and coordinate the RFP and proposal process for targeted opportunities.
• Partner with Operations, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to develop customized client solutions and sales strategies.
• Develop relationships through trade associations, industry organizations, conferences, community groups, and other networking opportunities.
• Represent the organization at conferences, trade shows, industry events, and client meetings.
• Maintain accurate pipeline, activity, opportunity, and forecasting information within the CRM.
• Track competitive activity and market trends within the assigned territory.Evaluate wins and losses to identify opportunities to strengthen future sales strategies.
• Provide regular pipeline, forecast, competitive, and business development reporting to leadership.

Skills

Hunter sales

Prospecting

Cold calling

B2B sales

CRM proficiency

Executive briefing

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office (Outlook/Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Elior Collegiate Dining is seeking a Director of Business Development to drive new university partnerships in the Midwest. This field-based role requires building a pipeline from scratch, engaging senior decision-makers, and navigating long consultative cycles across higher education clients.

The successful candidate will travel 60–75% to meet prospects, attend industry events, and pursue opportunities, reporting to the Senior Vice President, Growth.